Without the generous support of dental professionals throughout the UK, the BDA Benevolent Fund would struggle to survive. Thanks to the support and care of the dental community, the Ben Fund has been able to assist dentists and their families as they cope with illness, stress, poverty and bereavement.

Now taxpayers can be even more generous thanks to Gift Aid rules. For example, if you donate £10 to the BDA Benevolent Fund in 2009/2010, your gift would be worth £12.80 to the Fund. As the new tax year gets underway there's never been a better time to make giving a regular part of your professional life.

In 2008 new applications to the Fund were 50% higher than in 2007, and numbers are expected to rise in 2009. Applications to the fund for help will be explored with empathy, care, consideration and in the strictest of confidence.

Reader response number 59