Sir, I write further to the recent letter in the journal from C. Marks, in regard to dental nursing qualification.1 The situation which one of our nurses finds herself in is so unfair that any reasonable body must surely see that the present regulation needs adapting to include this section of nurses who are legally qualified but no longer recognised.

As a young 18-year-old, the lady in question took her examination whilst working in general practice, as was normal in 1990. The practice where she worked would not pay her course fees, so she paid for her own course and examination fees. Additionally, she was allowed no time off to attend college. She therefore used her annual leave to attend the course – every Tuesday afternoon. She obtained the Dental Nursing Certificate from the National Examining Board.

She then left work to bring up her children. On her return, she was surprised and disappointed to find that she is no longer regarded as qualified, since this qualification is no longer recognised. As such she is restricted to reception duties, which is sad for us, since she is an excellent nurse, and sad for her, after she has clearly shown such commitment.

During the changeover period, this qualification would have resulted in automatic admittance to the new register. At the time there was much advertising of the changes in the dental press, but if you are off work raising a family, how were you supposed to know? Surely there should have been an obligation, by the registering body, to write to all of those who held the National Certificate, to alert them to the changes, so that this unfortunate dilemma could have been prevented.

Clearly, it is unreasonable to expect people in this position to embark on training again, whilst also having domestic commitments. It seems so unfair to someone who has tried so hard to achieve a qualification; is it not possible to find a way to accept these nurses onto the register?

I first raised this unhappy situation with the General Dental Council over a year ago and despite reassurance that the registration department would consider the matter, I have heard nothing.