BADN builds a wellness wall
NewsPosted by: Dental Design 27th November 2024
BADN has always looked after its members – long before “wellbeing” became an overused buzzword. One of our aims as the professional association for dental nurses in the UK has always to provide easily accessible information and support to our members, thus relieving the stress of having to find it from various multiple sources. Finding information has become easier over the last few decades due to the internet; but the huge amount of (often erroneous) information available leads to its own stress. So at BADN we provide our members with pertinent and accurate information – on our website, on our social media, in our digital Journal and in our e-newsletter – so that dental nurses don’t have the stress of sorting the wheat from the chaff themselves.
BADN provides free legal advice through our Legal Helpline; information via our e-newsletters, website, advice sheets and Journal; and CPD through our Journal, Coffee CatchUps and CPD Portal so that BADN members have it at their fingertips (as well as dental nurse specific indemnity at a special member price; and special offers and discounts on a wide range of services and products, potentially saving members around £500 a year!).
BADN has held several Coffee CatchUps on the subject – one just a few months ago with speakers from Molar Mentoring/The Molar Mindset; and at the January 2025 CCU the speakers will be Claire Wassall and Stephanie Charles from Cavity Dental on ‘The Importance of Mental Health First Aid within our Dental Teams and Practices’. Claire and Stephanie are both Mental Health First Aiders (as is BADN Chief Exec Pam Swain) and will not only explain the importance of having MHFAs in the practice, but also how to become one.
A few years ago, BADN launched the BADN Health & Wellbeing Hub which provides information and advice on physical, emotional and financial health, as well as a support/counselling helpline. The BADN Wellbeing Hub also includes a selection of discounts and offers designed to help with a variety of health and wellbeing needs, including discounted glasses and contact lenses with Vision Express, Home Health tests, Gym discounts and more.
Mental Health resources for BADN members include access to a 24/7 confidential helpline provided by Health Assured, for when you just need someone to talk to. Members can also access the Health Assured Wisdom App for free, which is a resource for wellbeing webinars, a 4-week health plan, and other interactive wellbeing features. Financial worries can be a big factor and our Hub also has a calendar of free financial webinars which members can sign up for, focusing on topics including pensions, financial planning and navigating the financial squeeze.
And now, in conjunction with Molar Mentoring/The Molar Mindset – a collaboration which marks a significant step in promoting mental health and wellbeing within the dental profession, bringing together two influential organisations committed to improving the workplace experience for dental nurses – we are introducing our Wellness Wall ….. an online wall where dental nurses can send relevant cartoons, quotes, memes or other snippets to share with others. The Wall will also include:
Thankful Thursdays – encourages gratitude and positivity, creating an environment where dental nurses feel appreciated and recognised for their contributions. By highlighting stories of gratitude or appreciation every Thursday, this initiative fosters a culture of support and mutual encouragement.
Foodie Fridays – focuses on promoting wellness through the joy of food. Whether it’s sharing recipes, exploring nutritional tips, and overall wellbeing with culinary creativity, this initiative serves is a delightful way to build a community involving Dental Nurses.
Now featured on the BADN Wellbeing Wall, these initiatives will reach a broader audience of dental professionals across the UK. This collaboration ensures that these practices are accessible to even more dental nurses, empowering them with tools to improve their mental health and overall quality of life. The Wellbeing Wall becomes not just a resource but a cornerstone for fostering a positive, supportive community within the dental nursing profession.
The Wall will be available in the members’ area of the BADN website www.badn.org.uk. Dental nurses who are not yet members of their professional association may join BADN at www.badn.org.uk/join. To find out about Coffee CatchUps, sign up for our e-newsletters at https://badn.org.uk/NewPublic/Newsletter-Preferences.
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