Sir, I write in response to L. J. Brinton's request for the personal experiences of striking juniors in the junior doctors'/dentists' contract dispute (BDJ 2016; 220; 323–324). The BDA, in offering its junior hospital members the opportunity to take part in industrial action, has not only acknowledged that the contract is unfair but has allowed us to show our support with the BMA and our medical colleagues. A unity rarely seen in dentistry.

To celebrate strike action in similar format to the heartfelt voluntary efforts of Mr Sheikh and his colleagues1 would be crass and insensitive. Indeed, no junior has taken the decision to participate in strike action lightly. I know I did not, it was the subject of much soul-searching but my patients were all very understanding.

Whilst short-term patient care may be affected by the strikes, it is my opinion that imposition of the new contract will adversely affect patient care by stretching an already stretched five-day elective NHS service to seven days without any additional staffing or funding. I feel it will also change the structure of the hospital profession overall, not only by normalising weekend hours, but it may act as a deterrent for those who are not able to work full time through maternity leave, parenthood or disability (the recently published equality impact statement openly admitting that women are more likely to be disadvantaged but is a 'proportionate means to a legitimate aim').2 The future of the NHS should be for long-term patient benefit, not short-term political goals.

Whilst I will soon be completing my training and will spend very little time under a new contract (if at all), I wish to ensure that the junior dentists that follow me have been represented by us, their predecessors, to the best of our ability to ensure a safe and fair contract for all. To use the BMA's tagline, it's everyone's fight. We are one profession. We stand together.