Leading dental professor warns of potential dental nurse redundancies

A leading dental professor has voiced concerns around a potential wave of possible dental nurse jobs being put at risk as the profession continues to be plagued by financial uncertainty.

Professor Phil Taylor, dean of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh’s Faculty of Dental Surgery, has warned that many dental practices may be forced to cut jobs due to current restrictions imposed on them as a result of the pandemic particularly with them being able to see less patients.

Professor Taylor said, “Many dental nurses have been furloughed during the pandemic and with the Job Retention Scheme due to finish at the end of the month, we are in real danger of seeing these positions under threat.

“The tight restrictions on how many patients can be seen in a day has resulted in practices potentially needing less staff, and many have had to make tough decisions in order to survive financially

“Dental nurses play a vital role in the dental profession and are an essential part of the team. It is of the utmost importance that we ensure they are supported through this period.