While the association has said it looks forward to working with Rakhee to further strengthen the dental profession and improve oral health outcomes across the nation, it said this latest appointment continues the trend of dentists filling the senior leadership roles within the Office of the Chief Dental Officer’s (OCDO). It believes that future opportunities could benefit from including a dental care professional (DCP) in such positions.
Rachael England, a dental hygienist, was a candidate for the post. She said, “It is disappointing that the voices of DCPs remain absent from this level of representation. DCPs play a critical and often underrecognised role in the delivery of dental care and oral health improvement, particularly among vulnerable groups such as the elderly and underserved populations. Their unique perspective, grounded in frontline experience and direct patient care, is essential in tackling the significant oral health challenges faced by these communities. Including DCPs at the national decision-making table would enrich discussions, bring diversity of thought, and enhance the development of strategies that address the needs of all segments of the population.”
BADN has said it is confident that the inclusion of DCPs in national leadership roles would bring valuable diversity of thought, enrich decision-making processes, and make sure that the needs of the general population are effectively addressed. The association is committed to working collaboratively with the OCDO to support the entire dental team and achieve these shared goals.
Preetee Hylton, BADN president, commented, “This was an invaluable opportunity for the OCDO/E to maximise the unique perspectives, experiences, and skill sets of DCPs by involving them in strategy and decision-making processes. Including DCPs in these roles would further demonstrate a genuine commitment to recognising all members of the dental team as integral oral healthcare professionals.”
“While the OCDO frequently emphasises the importance of the entire dental team, the decision not to appoint a DCP as deputy CDO sadly appears to be a missed opportunity to substantiate this commitment with meaningful action. We encourage the OCDO to engage with DCPs, including dental nurses, more actively in the future to ensure a truly collaborative approach that reflects the collective expertise of the dental team.”