This train has already departed

With January and the ‘post-Christmas blues’ behind us we can now look forward to contemplating what 2013 may hold for us as dental nurses.

How many of us made New Year's resolutions, determined once again to keep our internet shopping addiction under control, or watch less ‘car crash’ television? Maybe lurking somewhere was the idea that we could, and should, be taking a more active part in the changes in the profession that will affect us later this year and in to 2014.

One such issue is the introduction of the new General Dental Council (GDC) ‘Standards’. Now rebranded as ‘Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics’, this new set of criteria was only one of three consultations that dental professionals were asked to comment on at the close of 2012. To make the most of understanding the changes that affect us we should not consider this consultation in isolation. Think of it in partnership with the other major modifications, tweaks, revolutions—choose your description—that are being introduced to move our profession forward. We are asked to comment on direct access for dental care professionals (DCPs) and a review of continuing professional development (CPD).