Main

In my Presidential address a year ago I spoke about the two major challenges facing us - both individually as dentists, and as an association. Firstly the challenge of change - and, more importantly, the speed at which change is taking place - and secondly that of quality and the increasing demands and expectations this places on us.

And so it has proved to be. The past year has seen an avalanche of consultation papers and discussion documents, and in recent months a number of these have come to fruition. November 2001 saw the publication of the first Section 60 Order of the Healthcare Act 1999 enabling the General Dental Council radically to alter its composition, and to introduce mandatory continuing professional development for all dentists as a condition of continuing registration. Further orders will enable the registration and regulation of the entire dental team, reform of the fitness to practice procedures, and a remedial framework for dealing with underperforming dentists. November 2001 also saw the publication of the NHS Reform & Health Care Professions Bill which firstly implements the fundamental changes contained in 'Shifting the Balance', whereby 75% of NHS spending will be devolved to local primary care trusts. Secondly it gives the Commission for Health Improvement 'special measures' to deal with failing services including powers to inspect dental practices. Thirdly, it establishes the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health to ensure that there is patient input at all levels of the NHS and, fourthly, it establishes the 'Council for Regulation of Healthcare Professionals' - a new overarching body to oversee the GMC, the GDC and other professional regulatory bodies. The Association has continued to develop a central structure not only best able to respond to such issues, but also one that is increasingly proactive. The Association's policy document 'Modern NHS Primary Care, Organisation & Development 2001-2005'was published following extensive consultation; this not only highlighted the fundamental problems currently facing NHS primary care dentistry but, more importantly, it suggested some possible ways forward and called for honesty in NHS prioritisation. The Association has also played a major role in the 'Options for Change' review, and will continue to press the urgent need to address workforce issues and to ensure adequate funding levels both for existing dental services and for any new initiatives.

Membership of the Association now exceeds 20,000 and this is an important milestone... we are, numerically, a small profession and the BDA must speak with the authority of the large majority of the profession.

Membership of the Association now exceeds 20,000 and this is an important milestone. We are, numerically, a small profession and the BDA must speak with the authority of the large majority of the profession. In addition to an effective central structure the Association also needs effective regional and local committees; the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Councils and offices assume ever greater responsibility for their national issues, whilst active Branches, Groups and Sections are essential if the Association centrally is to remain in touch with members' concerns and professional aspirations. Many local meetings are reporting significant increases in attendance, due to the increasing demand for postgraduate education and thus providing the BDA with the opportunity to demonstrate its relevance to that minority of dentists who are currently non members.

My last words as your President must be to return to my first words a year ago when I attempted to convey something of the honour of which I was aware at that time and this has remained with me throughout the past year. To that I now add my most sincere thanks to the many colleagues who have welcomed me so warmly and generously on my many visits, to the BDA officers - and particularly to the members of the BDA staff - for their unfailing help, and last - but most certainly not least - to my wife Sue for devoting such a large part of her year to this Association and to supporting me. The past year has been a very interesting, extremely busy, and most enjoyable one.

And so - most importantly of all - to turn to the future and to this 2002 Conference in Belfast. 37 years ago, when this event was last held here, it was described afterwards as 'not so much a meeting, more a way of life' and my own visits to Belfast have always been similarly memorable for the warmth of the local hospitality. So this return is long overdue, and is also enormously enhanced on this occasion by the joint participation of the Irish Dental Association.

Finally, what could be more fitting than for me to induct, as my successor, Ian Benington in this his home city and where he has been such a leader of our profession. Ian graduated from Queens University Belfast in 1961, and after a few years at the Royal Victoria Hospital went first to the Eastman Dental Hospital and then to Glasgow Dental Hospital - where he is still fondly remembered - before returning to Queens University in 1978 and where, since 1981, he has been Professor of Dental Prosthetics & Materials Science. His service to this association and to dentistry in Northern Ireland has been enormous. For ten years he was a member of the General Dental Council, and he has lectured extensively both throughout the UK and overseas. It therefore gives meet me great pleasure to induct Professor Ian Benington as the 115th President of the British Dental Association and to wish him, and his delightful wife Eileen, a most enjoyable and successful year.