BDIA Chief Executive Edmund Proffitt looks back at 100 years of the BDIA, its long relationship with the BADN and a 100th birthday party on board the Cutty Sark.

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A special milestone

This year the British Dental Industry Association (BDIA, formerly known as the British Dental Trade Association [BDTA]) is celebrating its centenary, and the Association and its members are celebrating this 100th birthday throughout 2023. The BDIA has a proud history of serving and supporting the dental industry and dental professionals, including an 83-year relationship with our colleagues at the British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN), spearheading innovation and improvements in dental equipment and care, and now representing an industry worth over £900 million, employing over 3,000 people.

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Formed as the Association of Dental Manufacturers and Traders in June 1923 by eight dental companies, the Association rapidly expanded and has worked for 100 years for the benefit of its members, all dental professionals, and the public, having continually evolved to meet the ever-changing demands of the industry and the whole dental sector. The centenary marks a very significant milestone for the Association and its 100+ members, some of which can trace lineage back to those very first members 100 years ago.

Governed by a Council of member company executives since its creation, the Association has had 71 presidents, six Chief Executives, set up over 25 committees and held over 500 Council meetings since being established in 1923. As always, the BDIA Council and President remain instrumental in focusing the direction of the Association and in setting its aims and objectives to support its vision of working with its members to the benefit of the industry, customers and oral health, to ensure that the Association continues to offer the industry the best service, support, communications, events and more.

What is absolutely apparent in my job as Chief Executive is that the Association has a very proud history and tradition, whilst also being forward looking and adaptable to change. Every time I sit in our Board Room the gilded names of our Presidents past shine down on me from our two impressive Presidential name boards as a constant reminder of our part in the industry's ongoing history. Here's to the next 100 years!

The BDIA has a proud history of serving and supporting the dental industry and dental professionals, including an 83-year relationship with our colleagues at the British Association of Dental Nurses.

The Association has been running dental exhibitions for most of its history and has welcomed dental nurse colleagues to BDIA Dental Showcase for many years. Contributing to the Association's centenary book '100 Years of the BDIA', BADN Chief Executive, Pam Swain, wrote: 'The BDIA has been a firm supporter of dental nurses and their professional association, BADN over the years, sponsoring BADN events and Conferences, and our stands at Dental Showcase, providing speakers for the National Dental Nursing Conference; indeed, our Presidential chain of office was presented to the Association by the BDTA 28 years ago!

'The British Association of Dental Nurses congratulates the BDIA on its centenary, thanks them for their support over the last 83 years and wishes them a long and successful future. The BADN looks forward to continuing to work with the BDIA during its second century!'

At that very first Association meeting in 1923 the inaugural President, Mr Joseph T. Ash, declared, 'We shall build a future that they may be proud to claim as their own honoured past.'One hundred years on we can congratulate our founder members for their foresight and achieving this ambition.

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On board the Cutty Sark

Recently 100 years of history were celebrated in style on the evening of 16 June as BDIA members and guests boarded the magnificent Cutty Sark to celebrate at this special once in a lifetime black-tie event.

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BADN Chairman Joan Hatchard with BDIA President Dean Hallows on board the Cutty Sark

Members arrived at 6.30 pm on a beautiful sunny evening and enjoyed a drink on the upper deck of the ship whilst networking with fellow member company colleagues, followed by an exploration of the spectacular structure and lower decks of the Cutty Sark.

A little later, the BDIA Gallery opened displaying an array of the Association's literature and archive memorabilia from 1923 to 2023. Everything from the first surviving minutes taken in 1926, to photos of key members responsible for the formation of the Association, historical key achievements that the Association has accomplished throughout the years through to the first brochure of the London Dental Exhibition were on display for members to peruse. Illuminated in the Association's blue colours, the Gallery came to life and was filled with inquisitive members who wanted to read and explore the story of 100 years of the BDIA.

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Joan Hatchard with Edmund Proffitt

After guests were immersed in the history of the Association and discovered new and interesting facts, an invitation to be seated was announced with the big reveal of the dining area. As the room partitions were removed to reveal more of the graceful vessel just feet above the heads of guests, beautifully decorated tables dressed and prepared for guests to enjoy a fine dining experience were waiting. The venue space featured a large stage area to the right and a seat for the event's host to the left side. Beautifully lit walls and reflections shone upon the bow of the Cutty Sark and illuminated the space to give a feeling of excitement for what was to come. A welcome address took guests on an historical journey that continued during dinner service as story of the Association's history unfolded, from its inception and strong foundation in the dental industry through to its milestone achievements throughout the years, whilst mentioning influential people who have shaped and helped to grow the Association along its 100-year journey. In between the journey from 1923 to 2023, the elegant and talented live band Chateau Grey and The Gatsby Girls entertained members with musical hits that were fitting of the 100-year timeline that the Association has arrived at from 1923 to this wonderful celebratory evening.

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Beautifully lit walls and reflections shone upon the bow of the Cutty Sark and illuminated the space to give a feeling of excitement for what was to come.

After dinner, BADN Chair, Joan Hatchard, presented the Association with a magnificent glass ornament celebrating 100 years of the BDIA as we toasted the next 100 years!