There are several options for the future of this non-profit organisation. We are currently at a crossroads and are in discussion with several large organisations to see whether they might help us to find our feet. Essentially there are two options: Make ADN into a union or affiliate ADN with an existing union or similar organisation. It has been suggested in the past that we should become a charity, however we (the core team) feel that becoming a charity would limit our ability to lobby (and take other action) on behalf of dental nurses. In order to become a union in our own right, we would need a source of funding. There are lots of options for funding including but not limited to: membership fees, advertising (ethical products/services only), accepting donations. We have not decided how we want to be funded yet, we would love to hear from you about what you think about funding ADN. In order to affiliate ADN with another organisation like, ‘Unite the Union,’ for example, we not only need to make sure that their morals and practises line up with ours, but we have to make sure that it is the best way to help dental nurses in the UK. Please let us know what you think about this in the comments section of this post. We would love to hear any ideas that you have! Whatever the future of ADN holds, our members can be certain that we will do our very best to help dental nurses across he UK. The best way you can help us is to join the conversation, contribute ideas, report your own problems and spread the word of this organisation to your colleagues.

Should we strike? Taking industrial action like witholding labour in a strike is one of the strongest tools that any workers, not just dental nurses, have. It is also usually a last resort and it used when negotiations fail to produce adequate results. As ADN is not yet a trade union, or officially affiliated with one, we are not able to organise a legal strike. Any dental nurses that went on what is called a, 'wildcat' or 'unofficial' strike could face dismissal by their employer. We are looking into any and all possibilities for granting dental nurses the right to legally strike in the future. We believe that it can be done and that a better future for DNs in the indusry is possible. To achieve our mutual goals we need to stick together and organise as effectively as possible. The best thing you can do to support future industrial action for dental nurses is to become a member of ADN. It is free, all you need to do is sign up to this website and be counted. Once our membership and momentum is great enough, we will seek consultation with the relevant industrial bodies on behalf of our members. If our reasonable expectations of change are not met, and we are affiliated with, or are ourselves a trade union, we will hold a ballot of our members to decide whether to strike. Are we allowed to strike? All the information you could possibly need on your right to strike in the UK can be found here: https://www.acas.org.uk/strikes-and-industrial-action We know how hard things are and how easy it is to have a grim outlookk on the future, but we will empower ourselves to make positive change. We will because we must.