Sir, I spoke to delegates about the work of the BDA Benevolent Fund at the British Dental Conference and Exhibition in Manchester last year. We provide financial support to needy dentists and their dependants. This help is not just for BDA members; any dentist who is or has been on the UK dental register can apply to the Fund. In many cases the support we offer can mean the difference between remaining in one's home with food on the table and being turned out onto the street.

The causes of dentists' problems are many and varied, sometimes just down to sheer bad luck, but recently the GDC and PCTs have been contributing significantly. This affects GDPs in particular and around 95% of applicants are or were in general practice, with the majority of these being under 50. The effect of sudden cessation of income can be catastrophic for someone with a family to support and financial commitments to meet.

I'm asking for your help in two ways – firstly, please tell your colleagues about the Fund and if you know of anyone who might need help, please encourage them to contact us (in confidence). Secondly, in order to carry on our work, the Fund needs your financial support – the continuing parlous general economic situation means that more dentists than ever are requiring help.

In 2011 the Fund had more applications than in any other year of its 130-year history and this year, so far, has received more than one application per week.

Some LDCs are very generous indeed and the Trustees of the Fund are extremely grateful for this continued confidence in our work with our colleagues. However, many others feel unable or disinclined to help and this is disappointing. If GDPs won't help each other, then who else will?

'Every little bit helps!'

1. BDA Benevolent Fund Treasurer