The British Dental Association (BDA) is urging dentists to support the wider health and public sector on a day of action against government proposals to downgrade their pensions.

The BDA is one of a number of professional representative bodies in the health sector whose members are not striking, but it is nevertheless encouraging members to demonstrate opposition to the Government plans by participating in the day of action on 30 November.

Members in general practice are urged to display in their practices an A3-sized poster (pictured bottom right) enclosed with this issue of the BDJ. The poster makes clear that a decision by dentists not to strike on 30 November should not be misinterpreted as agreement with the proposed changes to pensions. The poster reflects the friendly and approachable character of the profession, while explaining to patients that dentists are as unhappy as other public sector colleagues with what the Government is proposing. Associates should discuss practice policy on displaying such posters with the practice owner(s).

Members in salaried primary care or hospital services should not display the poster on NHS premises. Instead, they should check with workplace representatives whether events are being organised to mark the day of action and participate in those.

The BDA is also encouraging all members to share their participation in the day on Twitter, by posting a photograph of the poster on display at their practice or promoting their participation in a workplace event and adding the hash tag #30nov to their tweet.

Dentists can also add weight to the campaign by signing a Government e-petition and contacting their MP directly, supplementing the direct lobbying work the BDA has already done on their behalf. Full details of the campaign and how dentists can add their voices to it are available at: www.bda.org/protectNHSpensions.