All about: The British Dental Association

The British Dental Association is the biggest voluntary membership organisation in the UK that is especially designed for dentists. This article looks at what the BDA is.

What is the British Dental Association?

Founded in 1880, the British Dental Association is a trade union and professional association for dentists who work in the United Kingdom. The objectives of the BDA are: 1. To advance the arts, science and ethics of dentistry 2. To improve the nation's oral health 3. To promote the interests of its members While membership is voluntary, there are around 23,000 members of BDA. In most cases, the majority of these members work in general practice. As a detailed organisation, there are four key roles to be undertaken by the British Dental Association. They are: 1. A scientific society 2. A service organisation 3. A professional association 4. A trade union In 1956, the BDA was taken over by the General Dental Council, or the GDC UK. Primarily, the Dental Act 1921 undertook this role when the Dental Board of the UK was created. The function of BDA The British Dental Association represents dentists at the local and national level by ensuring that their concerns and views of the profession are high on the public and on the political agenda. As the largest organisation in the UK, the BDA encourages good patient care and practice. In addition, it provides its members with the expert advice that they require in management, practice and in opportunities for continuing their professional advancement. What is the GDC? The General Dental Council is the organisation that regulates all dental professionals in the UK. In order for dentists, dental technicians, dental nurses, dental hygienists, dental therapists, clinical dental technicians, and orthodontic therapists to work in the UK, they first need to receive their GDC registrations. The GDC home page shows that its purpose is to protect patients by regulating the dental team.

Other associations

Along with the British Dental Association, there is also the British Deaf Association which is the largest organisation in the UK that is run by deaf people. As an association, they represent the British Sign Language community which brings together the history, shared experiences and the language. The BDA is a high-profile charity that functions in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. In a fast-paced and often politicised environment, the BDA tackles controversial and complex social issues within the deaf society.
A final word For those interested in finding out about the latest deaf news, the BDA's website details the latest news, reports and topics that are relevant to the deaf community, thereby allowing you to keep up to date with all the local, national and international news.