I am writing to you with the hope that you may be able to clarify the current situation regarding PCDs working in practice.

After the initial excitement of the Nuffield report, published, I believe at least four years ago, very little has been suggested to members of the dental team offering guidelines regarding the development of PCDs, their qualifications or indeed their role within modern dentistry.

As a qualified nurse I believe that if I intended to further my career within dentistry the natural route would be to study hygiene and/or therapy. For many nurses this is not always the preferred option. The dental nurse plays a vital role in the delivery of quality dentistry. Those of us who wish to nurse and continue our personal development are unsure how to remain in our chosen career while achieving this.

Is there a structured path that nurses can pursue in order to further our skills and knowledge of dentistry and assisting whilst maintaining full time employment in our current positions?

Are there suggested guidelines for principal members of the dental team to refer to while encouraging and monitoring their employees? Can you offer any advice on how or where like-minded nurses can seek advice on their changing role within dentistry?