Sir, I write regarding the recent letter from N. Knott (BDJ 2013; 215: 607).

In his letter Dr Knott says he was a member of a small minority opposed to the BDA being a trade union in 1975 when he was a member of the Representative Board.

I would suggest that minority may even be smaller in the profession now.

The trade union activity of the profession is incredibly important to preserve the ethical position of the profession as it comes under more and more influence from outside agencies and politicians; indeed the role of the new PEC is to ensure that these changes are vigorously challenged when they impinge on the professional and ethical manner in ways colleagues practise.

Now is a time when that strength of membership is needed more than ever to ensure that colleagues are supported through all aspects of their career to provide quality ethical treatment for our patients. It is very evident that with recent scandals about CQC, Mid Staffs and others that the restructuring of the NHS allows political leaders to shift blame to others, and the Francis report has been extensively discussed within the BDA to ensure we drive the profession in clinical standards and oppose things that impinge on that.

With the advance of a new NHS contract, and the implications of care pathways, best practice and levels of competency of the profession in proposed three tier levels of skills, it is imperative to be part of a solid and robust trade union to ensure our professional ethics and our ability to provide a wide range of treatments are defended. These changes will have impact across the whole profession and not just those working within the NHS.

If you have not joined the BDA for its trade union function, do so please to ensure that together we are stronger.

1. PEC Member