The British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN) has welcomed two new members to its Executive Committee.

At the Annual General Meeting, honorary president Joan Hatchard welcomed president-elect Preetee Hylton and treasurer Ruth Garrity to the BADN Executive Committee and former treasurer Michelle Brand to the role of chairman. She also thanked retiring past president Jacqui Elsden for all her work on behalf of dental nurses and presented her with a bracelet from members of the Executive Committee and Panel of Representatives.

President-elect Preetee Hylton

Preetee obtained her NEBDN National Certificate in Dental Nursing in 2010, followed by her BDA Education Certificate in Dental Radiography in 2013, and then her Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS) qualification in 2015. In 2021, she completed her DDS Treatment Coordinator Programme, and more recently, she achieved her BDA Education Certificate in Oral Health Education.

Currently, Preetee works full-time as a dental nurse and safeguarding lead at a private practice in London. She is actively involved in education and training as she delivers the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Principles and Practice in Dental Nursing. Additionally, she serves as an associate examiner for the NEBDN. Preetee's contributions to the dental community extend beyond her work - she is an editorial board member of the Dental Nursing Journal and regularly authors articles. She has also been featured in Dentistry, BDJ Team, and Dental Therapy Update. She is an empowering and dynamic public speaker, addressing topics ranging from negotiation skills for dental nurses to raising awareness about domestic abuse at dental events and conferences.

In the past, she has held roles as a lead dental nurse and receptionist, a practice manager, and a clinical mentor to student dental nurses. As an advocate for continuous learning and professional development, Preetee was an ambassador and the dental nurses' study club co-director for the International Team for Implantology (UK and Ireland Section) from 2020 to 2022; she was also one of the four founding members of this newly created dental nursing community.

Preetee's dedication and expertise have been recognised through various accolades. She received the Best Dental Nurse award at the DDS Recognition Awards in 2020 and went on to win Best Dental Nurse (South) at the Dentistry Awards in 2021. She was also a finalist at the Private Dentistry Awards in 2022 and was the only practising dental nurse to be included in Dentistry's Top 50 in 2023.

Treasurer Ruth Garrity

Ruth began her dental nurse career on a YTS scheme in 1986 in Penrhyndeudraeth, North Wales, before following her career aspirations to join the British Army in October 1988, working in various Dental Centres from Tidworth, Colchester, Warminster to warmer climates in Cyprus and colder climates in the Falkland Islands. Following a military career, she has worked in both NHS, private and community settings in Chester and Catterick before returning to work for Defence Primary Healthcare in a civilian role as both a dental nurse in Catterick, Shorncliffe, Omagh, Winchester and Aldershot, and currently a civilian practice manager at Pirbright. She holds NEBDN qualifications in Oral Health Education and Radiography and is a keen dental nurse mentor.

Ruth is the Armed Forces Representative on the BADN Panel of Representatives and is an active member of the Education Committee.

Chairman Michelle Brand

Michelle qualified as a dental nurse in 1991, and also holds a BSc in Product Design and Development and an MA in Bioclimactic Design. She is currently a self-employed dental nurse, having previously worked in both general practice and at Manchester Dental Hospital, as a dental technical demonstrator and sales representative, and as an associate lecturer and research assistant at Manchester Metropolitan University. She also ran ger own sustainable design agency whilst working as a dental nurse; and was awarded Arts Council funding to exhibit her work in London and in Hong Kong for a one-month artist residency.

Michelle is a member of BADN's Panel of Representatives and of the Pride in Practice Board of Representatives. She received the BADN Exceptional Contribution to a UK Community Oral Health Care Project Award in 2019. She was also a key member of the ‘All I Want for Christmas’ project team, providing mobile dental care for the homeless and those in recovery across Blackpool in 2018 and 2019.

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