March has been another busy month in my role as BADN President. Plans are well under way for the forthcoming Dentistry Show and BADN's involvement with the Dental Nurse Forum, which I will be chairing. I am looking forward to meeting as many dental nurses as possible there this month [April].

I attended meetings with a number of awarding bodies for dental nurse education. I am keen to ensure BADN is influential in this sector and the routes that dental nurses can take both pre and post registration. These awarding bodies will have promotional stands at BADN Conference in October and will have a series of articles in the British Dental Nurses' Journal.

It was with interest that I met with John Milne, National Dental Advisor for the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to discuss issues facing dental nurses in their role as CQC Registered Managers. The CQC will randomly inspect 10% of dental practices, but also those where concerns have been expressed. A Provider Handbook is available to advise practices before inspections. Safeguarding and cross infection appear to be the main areas of non-compliance. The CQC welcome both good and bad feedback, following inspection. Further information on the CQC can be found at http://www.cqc.org.uk/ and www.badn.org.uk.

I was delighted to have been approached by the British Society of Periodontology (BSP) seeking support for their upcoming campaign and their National Gum Awareness Day on 12 May. The Society recognises the important role the dental nurse plays in prevention and will have resources available for promoting this campaign with patients and colleagues. The BADN will feature this in the Spring British Dental Nurses' Journal, on our website and in other promotional material.

Finally, if I could remind you to participate in the survey that the BADN is conducting in relation to the demographic profile of the dental nurse. This is available at: www.badn.org.uk.