Joan gained her National Certificate in 1988 and went on to gain post-qualification certificates in Oral Health Education, Radiography, and Conscious Sedation, becoming the practice manager of two busy private general dental practices. Joan started teaching the National Certificate course in 1989. She also gained the FAETC and the Certificate in Education (FE) and holds the City and Guilds Licentiateship in Dental Nursing.

Joan was an examiner for a number of years on the NEBDN Panel of Examiners for the National Diploma and the Certificate in Oral Health Education. She has held positions on BADN Council, first as the Chair of BADN Practice Managers’ and Receptionists’ National Group, and then as Finance Officer.  More recently, she has been a member of the BADN Executive Committee, as Treasurer and then Chairman.  Joan is a BADN Fellow and received the 2013 BADN Award for Outstanding Contribution to Dental Nursing. 

BADN Immediate Past President Jacqui Elsden said “We felt it would not be fair to ask whoever is elected President for the 2024-26 term of office to take on the role of President a year early, without the benefit of their year as President-elect.  We are very grateful to Joan for agreeing to take on the role of Honorary President for the year 2023-2024.  The duties of the President will, until the 2023 AGM, be undertaken by members of the BADN Executive Committee.”