Looking back

The British Association for Dental Nurses began life as the British Dental Nurses’ and Assistants’ Society in 1940 in Leyland, Lancashire. Dentist Philip Grundy and his dental nurse Madeleine Winter (known as Bunty) formed the society after hearing about a similar society in the US. Bunty was the first general secretary until 1946 when a full-time general secretary, Rita Methven, was employed. In 1948 Jean Smith MBE took up the post where she remained until 1985, although she remained involved with the examining board until 1991.

At that time, there was no formal training or qualification for dental nurses, so in 1943 Philip Grundy formed the British Dental Nurses’ and Assistants’ Examining Board, which remained part of the association until the mid-1980s, and held the first examination the same year. Bunty Winter took and passed the exam – in fact she had the highest marks, but it was decided it would be inappropriate to award her the prize for best student as she worked for Philip Grundy. Formal training was held first thing in the morning, before patients arrived. As the first patient appointment was 8am, this meant a very early start!