In April this year, Community was very proud to welcome dental nurses into our union with the launch of our dental nurse branch. This will give dental nurses across the UK a vital voice in their profession, at work and in the wider dentistry sector.
Dental nurses represent an essential part of any dental practice, and can be called upon to support dentists, clinical dental technicians, hygienists or therapists treat patients of all ages.
Britain’s dental nurses face a number of ongoing challenges: not least a lack of respect, recognition and reward for the vital role that they play in the dental team. At a time of huge pressure on the dental sector, retaining valuable experience in the workforce has become hugely important.
Speaking at our Biennial Delegate Conference in June, Community NEC member Deb Wood said:
“Dental nurses perform a vital role in supporting dentists to care for patients, helping to streamline procedures, and delivering critical safety practices within surgeries. This role has become even more important at a time when nationwide access to dental services is in jeopardy.
“The pressures on dental nurses have only increased in recent years, and we are seeing a retention crisis in the profession which could place the entire dentistry sector in peril.
“There are lots of reasons why skilled dental nurses are leaving the industry: a lack of opportunities for progression and upskilling, dissatisfaction with pay, and a lack of respect and recognition for the service they provide.”
At our 2024 Biennial Delegate Conference, Community members and the union’s National Executive voted in support of a motion to:
- Introduce a fast-track system to encourage the skilled knowledgeable workforce back into dentistry, bringing forwards the NHS workforce plan producing hygienists and therapists that are patient ready.
- Implement a Dental Nurse Charter complete with pay scale.
It’s high time that dental nurses got the recognition and reward they deserve. After all, dentists may perform treatments, but dental nurses keep patients safe.
Join the union for dental nurses today
At Community, we fight to protect our members working across dental practices in the UK and support them with issues around dealing with workplace bullying, pay and wages, contracts, holidays, sickness and leave and more. As a member of Community, you can go to work and feel safe knowing that we are here to fight your corner when you need us.
If you are a member of Community and need advice or support, please contact our Service Centre at help@community-tu.org or on 0800 389 6332.
© Community Trade Union 2025
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