Dental nurses are vital to patient care, yet too often their voices go unheard. Ahead of her session at Dentistry Show London, Rebecca Silver reflects on her journey in the profession and calls for a shift in how dental nurses are empowered, recognised, and trusted within the dental team.

Rebecca Silver is widely known for her commitment to advancing the role of dental nurses. With a foundation degree in Advanced Dental Nursing and a Master’s in Advanced and Specialist Healthcare (Applied Dental Professional Practice), she is a passionate educator, mentor and speaker.

Her mission? To help dental nurses find their voice and step confidently into their full potential.

‘I began my career in 2009, just a year after dental nurses became registered with the GDC,’ Rebecca recalls. ‘It was a huge step forward, but not that long ago. Even now, we’re still pushing for proper recognition and a real seat at the table.’

Rebecca believes one of the biggest challenges dental nurses face is having others speak on their behalf, often without truly understanding their scope or skills. ‘I wouldn’t presume to speak for a dentist or hygienist - I haven’t walked in their shoes. But it’s still somehow acceptable for others to define what dental nurses can and can’t do. That has to change.’

Perception vs. reality

According to Rebecca, there’s a disconnect between how dental nurses are perceived and what they’re actually capable of contributing.

‘In the right environment, dental nurses can do so much more than people think. From clinical photography and intraoral scanning to helping prepare treatment plans and guiding patients through their care journey. That’s not overstepping; that’s efficient, patient-centred dentistry.’

Unfortunately, not all practices operate this way. Rebecca has also seen settings where dental nurses are limited to passive, outdated roles - a missed opportunity for both the team and the patient.

‘We’re not just chairside assistants. We’re safeguarding champions, scanning leads, infection control experts, treatment co-ordinators.  Often the glue that holds the whole practice together.’

Knowing your scope and owning it

Rebecca encourages all dental nurses to reflect on their own skill set and have honest conversations with their clinicians.

‘Not every nurse is trained to do the same things and that’s fine. The key is knowing your strengths and being confident enough to share them. I’ll often tell new clinicians: Here’s what I’m great at,  here’s what I need support with. That builds trust.'

‘It’s about mutual respect and taking initiative: asking to be involved in treatment planning, stepping in during busy moments, and becoming a reliable point of contact for patients.'

‘Advocacy isn’t just about talking.  It’s about showing up, taking responsibility, and proving what you can do.’

Being proactive  

As a profession, Rebecca believes dental nurses need to move from frustration to action. ‘Yes, challenges like pay and recognition persist but what are we doing to change that? If you want to take on more responsibility, you have to show that you’re ready for it.'

‘Want to be the patient’s point of contact? Make sure your emails are professional and well-written. Want to manage treatment plans? Make sure you understand what’s being proposed and why.'

‘Good practices give dental nurses space to find their niche. Maybe you're the scanning lead, or the one everyone turns to for nervous patients. Lean into your strengths. Build your value. Make yourself indispensable.’

Leading the future of dentistry

Rebecca is also keen to highlight the role dental nurses can play in embracing new technologies.

‘With intraoral scanning, digital photography, and AI becoming more common, dental nurses are in a unique position to take the lead. If you can save your clinician five minutes per patient by scanning confidently, that adds up fast.’

She encourages nurses to lean into their niche, whether it’s helping anxious patients, leading on infection control, or becoming the practice’s tech champion. The key, she says, is becoming visible, valuable, and future-ready.

Don’t Miss Rebecca at Dentistry Show London

Rebecca will speak at Dentistry Show London, taking place on 3–4 October at ExCeL London. Her talk, “The role of dental nurses in optimum patient care” is set to be an inspiring call to action for nurses and wider team members alike.

‘There are still challenges in our profession,  but we have more power than we think. If we want to be seen as leaders, we have to act like leaders.’

Register for free today to hear from Rebecca Silver and other leading voices.