Page 28 - RADC 2023

THE ROLE: Specialist Advisor RADC Dental Nurses (SA RADC DNs)
Lt Col Winship
This article aims
to provide a brief overview of my role
as Specialist Advisor (new name for Head of Cadre) Dental Nurses and a reflection of the year. This role is like a lint roller, you tend to pick up anything along
the way. This year my work strands have even included fighting for a dragon. I often find there is overlap between this role and working in public health and education. You may spot that in this reflection.
It has been an honour to represent
RADC DNs as the SA over this period of significant change. One (not exciting) part of the role is contributing to staff work related to DNs. There has been an abundance of new policy this year, from the new AMS Career Handbook to the Reserve Dental Nurse Clinical Attachment and more. DMS transformation projects have affected our DN cadre significantly as single service career management has transitioned to UCM. Project Victoria will bring further change. The cadre has been so far magnanimous in adapting to these inevitable changes. My main effort is to ensure we have a seat at the table, so decisions are made with us and not about us.
A significant part of my role is providing specialist career management advice. The Rep SM and I have worked closely with the new UCM CM to get the best outcomes for our DNs. This is not always straight forward; we have had to make tough decisions
and be increasingly creative in mitigating against workforce shortages. Reductions
in the number of uniformed staff over the past decade mean that the numbers are
so low that PVRs and soft gaps can topple the system and we are very alive to this. Furthermore, the tri-service Gender study lifted the lid on gender related issues
which particularly affect this niche cadre of 95% women. Being able to recognise and highlight the barriers RADC DNs may face is essential to improving the lived experience for individuals.
Sadly, we have had too many RADC DNs affected by mental health illness this year. We have been able to provide support in
a variety of ways. Witnessing someone returning to work and doing well is one of the best parts of the role. It is imperative we take care of our RADC DNs and each other, more than ever. To line managers; we must be providing RADC DNs with the opportunities which made them join the military (and retains them), we must reach out to them regularly, and where needed, make workplace adjustments to help them
to overcome the barriers they are more likely to face as an RADC DN. To RADC DNs, keep saying yes to opportunities, remember why you joined, communicate with your CoC, and know that you are well appreciated for what you do. To both; please reach out to either me or the Rep SM if things aren’t going well, whether this be illness, gaps, welfare, lack
of opportunities, anything. Those who share these with us will be supported.
Some good news is that targeting recruiting to voluntary transferees (VTs) has been very successful and we know VTs have proven to be excellent RADC soldiers. We have what I call ‘the dental bonanza’ (8 VTs) currently coming through Phase 2 and I wish them luck in their training. We also have a series of articles on DN careers in the BADN journal which will raise the profile of Dental Nursing in the military. The number of RADC DNs with degrees is increasing and I have had the satisfaction of providing educational support to some of these this year. This is an open offer to all RADC DNs.
The RADC Bulletin showcases some of the amazing achievements of this cadre and I applaud not just these DNs, but the whole cadre for what they do. I have never been more proud to represent the soldiers of the RADC. I am frequently blown away with their professionalism, dedication, and spirit. Ex Dentibus Ensis.
DEVELOPMENT
A dental update from Army HQ
Lt Col Christoph Harper
A timely opportunity to update you on what has been happening from a dental change perspective within Army Health.
General Background
The completion of the Army Operating Model Review has updated
the Dental Officer role within Army Health, Army HQ. This has resulted in the previous post of SO2 Projects and Dental Business Requirements being enriched from OF3 to OF4 and newly established as SO1 Dental Regulation & Training with the addition
of Chief of Staff Profession Regulation & Training Team (COS PRT).
This has also resulted in the post being moved into the Profession Regulation
and Training Team which is now based at Robertson House, Camberley, to enable Army Health (situated in Andover) to be more coherent with HQ AMS. This has resulted in the day-to-day activities looking slightly different and has also allowed me to bring my Cocker Spaniel (Bramble) to work- so mainly positive!
There has been strategic development within the Healthcare and Medical Operational Capability which has resulted
in the formation of the Defence Medical Function. The RADC support this as the Land Dental Specialisation within which
we are the two Sub-specialisations; Dental Officer and Dental Nurse. This has brought about some change within the Dental Leadership structures and secondary Duties:
1. Chief Dental Officer (Army)(OF5). Col Davies is the Head/Chief of the Land Dental Specialisation, no change.
Selected through secondary duties application and boarding process. To support this role we now have two further secondary duties.
2. Specialist Advisor RADC Dental Nurses (OF4). Change in role name (changed from HoC). Selected through secondary duties application and boarding process.
3. Specialist Advisor RADC Dental Officers (OF4). A new role and is tied (through the Job Spec) to SO1 Dental Regulation and Training. Selected through RADC Officers Assignments Boarding process.
Update on Key Dental Work Strands
The Specialist Advisor role is tied to the SO1 Dental post for several reasons, but in the main because many of the projects are intertwined and being based in a 4*
26 RADC BULLETIN 2023