As members of a professional workforce, it is easy to assume that everyone in our profession works to the same standards at all times, and that we are all working in environments where relevant guidelines are strictly followed.

The GDC Standards document governs us as dental professionals. It specifies the principles, standards and guidance which apply to all dental professionals. It also sets out what patients can expect from dental professionals. Principle 9 ensures our behaviour maintains patients’ confidence in the dental profession. Principle 9 is:

In the weeks running up to the summer holiday period you may have had patients come in to enquire about getting passport photographs signed. A person with the status of ‘dental surgeon’ is an obvious choice, alongside GPs, bank officials and teachers.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) ‘is an executive, non-departmental public body of the Department of Health’ which ‘was established in 2009 to regulate and inspect health and social care services in England’ (Wikipedia, 2015).

Dental nurses have the ability to push their careers as far as they want to go. Those who develop good knowledge and understanding of their career are the ones that have the power to go beyond dental nursing duties alone. As dental nurses, we have many opportunities to develop our skills and knowledge. We can take on additional responsibility, gain promotions in the workplace, and study for further qualifications. Keeping an open mind and thinking outside of the box is the key to pushing yourself forward in your career.