A growing number of dental nurses are choosing to return to the GDC register. As a nurse who has been through the process, I can say with confidence that it’s no picnic. A recent survey run by Dental Nurse Network sheds some light on why nurses left, why they’re returning, how they feel navigating the process, and how the ‘Get Back on the Register’ course from Dental Nurse Network helped. 

Some people step into dentistry. Others step forward and reshape what it can do. Adeniké, also known as Emma, is one of the latter. Motivated by a desire to give children the oral health education she wished more families had access to, she created a social enterprise (SE) that now brings practical, empowering lessons directly to children and young people. Her passion for community-led change has just been recognised on a national stage, as she received the Inspirational Dental Nurse Award at the Dental Nursing Awards. Presented by the Chair of the GDC and the Chair of the SBDN in Manchester, the award highlights what everyone who meets her already knows: Adeniké’s commitment, energy and heart make her a true inspiration.

It’s happened to the best of us; the feeling of a complete lack of motivation for dental nursing. Whether it’s through stress or no recognition, the feeling of apathy can sometimes creep up with little to no warning in the dental nursing field. It’s easy to get bogged down, get stuck in the rut and let the bad stuff in – we’re all human, after all! 

As dental professionals, we’re often the first to spot the signs of sugar creeping into children’s diets. Early enamel erosion, tiny carious lesions in first molars, and parents genuinely confused as to how it’s happened when they’re “doing everything right”.

The General Dental Council (GDC) has updated its guidance on Scope of Practice, which will come into effect on 1 November 2025.

The GDC has stated that these updates do not change the scope of any profession. Dental nurses, along with all other registrant groups, will continue to work within the same remit. The new guidance aims to bring greater clarity to professional boundaries and support registrants in using their professional judgement in the best interests of patients. But does it?