The British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN) fear the cost of the Government’s vetting and barring scheme will hit members’ pockets hard.
The scheme – rolled out this month – is an attempt to prevent paedophiles gaining jobs or voluntary roles which give them access to children or vulnerable adults.
Anyone in regular contact with children or vulnerable adults in England, Wales and Northern Ireland must register and also have a criminal records check.
It require anybody who works in those sectors to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA), a Home Office sponsored body – at a cost of £64 – which, for the UK’s dental nurses, is in addition to professional regulation with the General Dental Council (GDC) introduced last year.
Those who fails to register and have their backgrounds checked will face a fine of up to £5,000 and a criminal record.
But the BADN is echoing the Royal College of Nursing’s concerns over the costs of the scheme and the duplication of regulation and potential unfairness of the barring and appeal procedures.
BADN president Angie McBain said: ‘Whilst BADN recognises the importance of protecting children and vulnerable adults, expecting dental nurses to pay yet another registration fee is unreasonable and unrealistic.
‘Dental nurses – many of whom are working part time and on minimum wage – already have to pay £96 to the GDC, as well as for CPD and indemnity, and many are having to leave the profession as they can no longer afford to work as dental nurses. Having to pay an additional £64 will be the last straw for many dental nurses.
The British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN) is currently campaigning against the cost of its annual retention fee and conducting a survey into dental nurse salaries with a view to presenting a case to the General Dental Council (GDC).
Visit www.badn.org.uk for further details.
