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NEBDN appoints new Chair of Trustees, welcomes 8 new Trustees and says goodbye to three long serving Trustees.

NEBDN appointed a new Chair of Trustees and welcomed eight new Trustees to its Board at its recent Annual General Meeting in October 2020. Sarah Young was appointed as new Chair, taking over from Julia Frew who has served as Chair for three years from 2017 to 2020.

Sarah Young is Director of Regulation for an Educational Charity. She has over 25 years’ experience in education and assessment, including the university sector. Sarah is accountable for managing relationships with the regulator Ofqual and leading a team responsible for supporting and maintaining the integrity of examinations. Sarah has also worked as a Senior Research Associate, where she developed a real interest in educational research, assessment design and marking quality. Sarah has a clear focus on people and supporting NEBDN as they develop in line with their strategic objectives.

Sarah Young, Chair of Trustees                     

 

On behalf of NEBDN we would like to recognise the support and contribution from three retiring Trustees:

Lindsay Mitchell (Lay Trustee) – Lindsay has supported NEBDN from 2013-2020 serving as vice chair between 2014 – 2017 and Governance Committee chair between 2014 – 2019. Lindsay has worked with Dental Nurses on and off over the last 35+ years. With a background in social science and education, her working life has been focused on professional and vocational educational research and development. She has made a significant contribution to policy, process and the development of the Charity.

Marie Parker (Clinical Trustee) – Marie has supported NEBDN from 2013 – 2020, including in the post of Chair for three years up to 2017. Marie joined NEBDN in 2001 as an Examiner for the National Certificate and the Certificate in OHE. She has a passion for improving the education and training of Dental Nurses and has provided invaluable support on business development and clinical input across the qualifications.

Thomas MacGregor – Tommy began his career with NEBDN in 2012 as an OSCE Examiner, prior to becoming a Trustee in 2016 to 2020. Tommy qualified as a Dental Nurse in 1996 with the NEBDN national certificate. He then went on to study for a Master of Science degree in Health Promotion, graduating from Robert Gordon University in 2001. As a Trustee, Tommy was a vital member of the Governance Committee and took the lead on supporting the Charity with Health & Safety.

 

We welcome the appointment of the eight new Trustees.

• Debra Worthington (Clinical)
• Jane Kilgannon (Lay)
• Julie Byrom (Clinical)
• Kathy Duffy (Lay)
• Paul Griffith (Lay)
• Stephen D’Souza (Clinical)
• Steve Clark (Lay)
• Ulpee Darbar (Clinical)

 

You can read the full profiles of our Trustees here.

The National Examining Board for Dental Nurses (NEBDN) launches a new online Post-Registration qualification in Fluoride Varnish Application this November 2020. The qualification is the first of its kind at NEBDN to be Record of Competence (RoC) based only, with on-demand registration and award on achievement; allowing course providers and students to work to their own schedule. The much-anticipated qualification follows as part of NEBDN’s Vision statement and development as an awarding organisation.

The qualification provides dental nurses with an educational experience in knowledge, critical understanding, intellectual skills, practical skills and personal attitude. This will enable them to provide effective fluoride varnish application within a community-based programme and/or on prescription from a dentist or as part of a structured dental health programme.

Oral Health Education (OHE) courses are popular across the UK and is the most searched for Post-Registration qualification on NEBDN’s website. With pass rates of over 70% from previous oral health exams, this qualification goes hand in hand with fluoride varnish application, as together they enable dental care professionals to support the wider dental team and to provide direct preventive care to some of the most vulnerable groups of patients.

Kate Kerslake, CEO at NEBDN, commented: “NEBDN aims to be at the forefront of dental nursing education and development, which is why we have released a new qualification in Fluoride Varnish Application, adding to our diverse range of Post-Registration courses this year. It not only gives course providers the flexibility to support students without meeting exam deadlines, but gives students the opportunity to complete the portfolio-based qualification in their own time, which helps minimise any disruptions to travel and personal circumstances/commitments, especially during the times we find ourselves in.”

NEBDN is accepting new applications for accreditation from 1 November 2020, which means new practices or learning centres will be able to offer this course once accredited in addition to others they may offer at present, and feature on NEBDN’s course provider search list. Currently NEBDN has six course providers offering this qualification. The statistics show over 2,000 students use the search bar each month to find an NEBDN qualification.

The key features of this qualification are:

-New vocational qualification

-Online portfolio RoC based only

-No written exam

-On-demand registration and award on achievement – no need to work around NEBDN’s schedule

-£95 course fee to NEBDN (other Post-Registration qualifications are £195)

-No accreditation fee for existing course providers (£500 for new applicants)

-Featured on our course provider search list

NEBDN’s long-standing reputation outweighs many competitors, with over 75 years of providing dental nursing qualifications in both pre-registration and post-registration areas, adding to the four benefits of choosing an NEBDN accredited course:

1. We don’t charge any hidden fees or incentives, because our vision is to support the education and development of dental nurses in the UK.

2. All students who successfully pass their qualifications are awarded certificates of completion as opposed to certificates of attendance which are of different relevance.

3. Holding accreditation for delivery of qualifications indicates that the standards for education, policies, process and procedures in place, highlight an effective quality management system which is the core foundation of a course provider.

4. An accredited qualification could be more favourable with employers who are aware of the standards required to achieve qualification.

The new qualification is the first NEBDN accredited course in this subject area and acts as a natural progression for those who have undertaken NEBDN’s OHE qualification, or it can be taken as a stand-alone qualification without having to hold the OHE qualification prior to registration.

If you are an employer interested in running this course, please email accreditation@nebdn.org to register your interest and one of our team members will be in touch.

If you are a registered dental nurse wanting to progress your career in oral health care or would like more information, visit www.nebdn.org

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Janet Goodwin at home in Blackpool after a long battle with breast cancer.

Janet began working in dentistry in 1971, and worked in general practice, community, dental hospitals and further education, including roles as Nurse Manager at Leeds Dental Institute and Qualifications Manager at NEBDN, for whom she also volunteered as an examiner and as Chairman – only the second dental nurse to be Chair of NEBDN. She was also a Past President of the Oral Health Foundation, was the first dental nurse to be a member of the General Dental Council and a past Chair of its Standards Review Group, as well as a former Governing Body member of Nugent Care Charity in Liverpool, and a development manager for the Strategic Health Authority. She consulted on management and educational projects with City & Guilds as Chief Examiner, and with Dental Team Qualification in the development and delivery of DCP programmes.

Kate Kerslake, CEO at NEBDN, commented: “Janet was a warm and caring person and she will be sadly missed. Janet frequently attended NEBDN events offering her expertise and support to dental nurses and fellow professionals and has contributed years of service to NEBDN in her many roles, and for that we are truly grateful.”

We are very saddened by this news and our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and loved ones.

*Information provided by BADN.

 

Before the exam

Where should I be doing my exam?

In a quiet and clear working environment where you are comfortable to take your examination without being disturbed – this can be at home or in the workplace, however you must use the same device that you used in your preparation session.

Do I need to do anything else in preparation for my exam?

No, providing you have downloaded the exam app, completed the tutorial and read and understood all guidance given.

Do I need to download the exam app again before the exam?

It is important that you use the same device for the exam that was used during the preparation session. The app will still be on your computer/laptop for the exam. You will only need to download the app once onto your device.

How do I get back into the app for the exam?

The app is automatically downloaded onto your desktop. It will remain there from your practice session. You will need to double click on the app icon which will look similar to the image below.

Once you have double clicked on the app it will automatically open the log in page. Your log in details can be found on the emails sent by assessmentandawards@nebdn.org.

What time will the exam be?

Candidate information packs have been sent to course providers with the timetable for your exam. If you are unaware of the start time please contact you course provider directly.

Do I need to make sure my laptop is plugged into a power source for the exam?

Yes, you will need to ensure your laptop is plugged into a power source so that it does not lose battery power during the exam.

Do I need to do the tutorial again?

You are not required to do the tutorial again. However, it will be available for you to revisit at any time up until 30 minutes before the exam start time.

My log in details are not working, what should I do?

Please carefully read the email with your log in details and try to re-type in the ID’s given. Please note that the exam ID, user ID and password are case sensitive. If the log in details do not work after several attempts please contact the team on assessmentandawards@nebdn.org.

During the exam

Will NEBDN be there to help me on the day if something goes wrong?

Don’t panic! We will have a dedicated team available for you to contact on 01772 429917.

What happens if I lose internet connection when completing the workbook?
If you lose internet connection during your exam please do not panic!

Internet connection is required at the beginning and end of the examination. If your internet connection is lost during the exam please continue to answer the questions as normal as the data will still be recorded in the application. Usually after a few minutes your internet connection should reconnect without intervention. If you cannot submit your assessment at the end of your exam you will receive the following error message:

Click Retry once and if the connection is not successful click Exit. You will then need to reconnect your internet and log back into the exam app. Upon logging in to the app it will automatically submit your assessment.

Can I go back and complete the tutorial after I have started the exam?
Once you have started the exam you will be unable to go back and see the tutorial.

Can I have a pen and paper with me during the exam?
Yes, candidates are permitted to use a pen and paper during the examination to make notes.

How will I know how much time I have left?
In the bottom right hand corner of your screen, the time remaining in the exam will start to count down as soon as you click START.

How do I finish the exam and submit my answers?
Once you have finished the exam and are ready to submit your assessment you will need to click on the MENU button. This can be found at the bottom of the screen in the middle. Once you click this you will be given several options. To submit your exam, you will need to click the top button which is FINISH EXAM.

Do you know someone who has made a major impact on:
▪ Contribution to dental nursing developments
▪ Contribution to dental nurse training and education
▪ Contribution to NEBDN’s work

If you do, then please join us in nominating someone for a Special Recognition Award!

What is a Special Recognition Award?
A Special Recognition Award is for individuals who have demonstrated dedication, outstanding service and commitment to NEBDN and/or the education and training of dental nurses through involvement and achievement at a national or UK level.

The award may recognise a specific single achievement (e.g. for a specific project) or achievements over a significant period of time (e.g. a significant contribution for a number of years).

Criteria
To be considered for a Special Recognition Award, an individual will need to have achieved one of the following roles, being or having been actively involved:
▪ Contribution to dental nursing developments
▪ Contribution to dental nurse training and education
Or
Given more than five years’ service to NEBDN as a volunteer.

How to nominate?
Three awards will be given in total, one nomination from each category.
For a nomination form or further information on how to nominate, please email SRA@nebdn.org

The closing date for nominations is 18 September 2020.

Following on from a successful online written examination for the National Diploma in July, we are now working to offer online exams for the next set of 2020 Post-Registration and National Diploma qualifications. This includes the September Post-Registration exams, upcoming online OSCE and the November Diploma written exam.

Online exam dates:
• Post-Registration exams will take place on 11 September 2020
• National Diploma OSCEs will take place over multiple dates as follows: 18, 19, 25 and 26 September 2020
• National Diploma written exam will take place on 7 November 2020

We will shortly be sharing further information with course providers and candidates about;
• How this will operate
• Technical requirements
• Details regarding the opportunity for candidates to test the system in advance of the exam

Record of Competence (RoC)
For candidates due to sit Post-Registration exams in September 2020, we have previously communicated the extended deadline to course providers to return the completed RoC paperwork to NEBDN as 28 February 2021. This will mean that achievement of the qualification will now rely on when we receive the completed RoC, following a pass in the September exam.

Record of Experience (RoE)
For candidates due to sit the Diploma written exam in November 2020, we have previously communicated the extended deadline to course providers to return the completed RoE paperwork to NEBDN as 31 December 2020. Candidates that need more time completing their RoE due to exceptional circumstances should speak to their course provider to discuss the options. This is to ensure that candidates stand the best chance of being prepared for the OSCE examination.

Deferrals
We acknowledge that at the moment times are uncertain, and candidates may struggle to complete their RoE/RoC. Therefore, we have agreed to waive the deferral fee for any candidates who need to defer their examination from the Post-Registration September 2020 exams or National Diploma November 2020 exam. If you wish to defer your exam, please speak to your course provider.

Any further queries must be discussed directly with your course provider, as NEBDN is not able to advise on personal issues or matters. Your course provider will be able to support you further and we wish all our candidates the best of luck in their upcoming exams!

Well done to all 823 candidates and support teams involved in NEBDN’s first online exam yesterday. We are pleased to report that the management of the online exam was a huge success!

You will receive your results on or before 14 August 2020. We will be in touch as to how you will access your results in due course. More information on the next steps including those sitting the online OSCE will follow in the coming weeks once results are issued.

Please check our news page for further information or follow our social media pages for live updates.

NEBDN Exam Day: 10 of your top questions answered

1. 1. Do I need to download the app again? – You DO NOT need to redownload the app onto your device. However, you must ensure you are using the same device that you used in your practice session on 10 July.
2. 2. Where can I find the app? – Click the ‘Start’ button in the bottom left hand corner. Scroll through the apps until you reach the apps that start with the letter N. There you will find NEBDN Maxexam. Click on to this folder and click on to the MaxExam app. This will then launch your log in page.
3. 3. I haven’t received my log in details, what should I do? – All log in details have now been sent by assessmentandawards@nebdn.org. If you have not received log in details for each session (MCQ and EMQ) from this email address please check your spam or junk folder before contacting us.
4. 4. Can I do the tutorial again before the exam? – Yes, you can do the tutorial again before the exam starts. You can complete any time after you have received your log in details up to and until 30 minutes before the exam start time. Please be aware this is not mandatory.
5. 5. Do I need a webcam on 23 July? – No, you do not require a webcam on 23 July.
6. 6. Will I need to show my ID on 23 July? – Please ensure you have your ID (e.g. passport or driving licence) with you on the exam date as you may be required to present this.
7. 7. Where can I find all the information about my upcoming exam? – Your course providers should have sent to you a candidate information pack relating to your exam. Please read this candidate information carefully.
8. 8. Where should I be doing my exam? – In a quiet and clear working environment where you are comfortable to take your examination without being disturbed – this can be at home or in the workplace, however you must use the same device that you used in your practice session on 10 July.
9. 9. Do I need to do anything else in preparation for my exam? – No, providing you have downloaded the exam app, completed the tutorial and read and understood all guidance given.
10. 10. Will NEBDN be there to help me on the day if something goes wrong? – Don’t panic! We will have a dedicated team available for you to contact on 01772 429917.

For a list of online exam FAQs and app download instructions for the National Diploma qualification, please click below.

• Exam FAQs
• App download instructions
• App download video guidance

 

If you still have queries, please speak to your course provider in the first instance, or alternatively you can call our team on our office line 01772 429917 – please bear in mind that our staff are working remotely and therefore aren’t able to answer as many calls as usual, as the lines are diverted and can only be operated by a limited number of staff.

Further guidance will be provided during the practice session tomorrow 10 July 2020, and therefore we only ask you to download the app as our team will be there remotely to explain how it works tomorrow and answer any questions you may have, so please don’t panic, our team are here to help!

Following recent updates to our course providers and candidates, we are pleased to announce that we will be operating some of our exams online! Therefore, we have extended the closing date from 12 June to 19 June for confirmation of exam entry.

New online exam dates:

• The online National Diploma written exam Thursday 23 July 2020
• The online OSCEs will take place over multiple dates as follows: 18, 19, 25 and 26 September 2020

If you do not wish to take the online exam, please inform your course provider to ensure you remain registered for the November 2020 written exam or January 2021 OSCE.

Course providers have been sent further information on how to support their students, and candidates have been emailed details of the exam requirements needed in order to access the online exams.

We have also included an FAQ guide below which we hope you will find useful. This document will also be updated regularly. FAQs guide.

If you haven’t received an email from NEBDN please check your junk/spam folders. Alternatively, please get in contact with us at info@nebdn.org 

For candidates sitting a Post-Registration exam 11 September 2020, further updates will be communicated in due course.