The third witness seminar was held on 22nd
March 2012 and examined the introduction and changing roles of dental
care professionals.
The seminar was chaired by Professor Nairn Wilson,
facilitated by Professor Stanley Gelbier and attended by a number of
leaders of the dental profession and dental trade.
The main topics discussed in depth were:
Dental surgery assistants and nurses – handmaidens, qualifications, changes to titles – dental nurses, DSAs, nurses
Dental hygienists – beginnings in
USA to aid prevention, influence of the wartime RAF, the early civilian
training – Eastman Dental Hospital and subsequent courses, changes over
the years
Dental auxiliaries – reasons for
their introduction, the New Cross School for Dental Auxiliaries (later
Therapists), the initial confinement to salaried services, the Nuffield
Report and closure of New Cross, the London Hospital Scheme – joint
hygienist/therapist courses, what was it like in training and practice
Dental technicians - initially attached to general practice (often single handed), larger groups and independent firms
Clinical dental technicians and orthodontic therapists - the fight for new clinical workers and their introduction
Recently established schools for the training of dental care professions.
Read the full transcript now available in paperback from: BDA Shop
Priced £6.95
Photographs