In Tribute to Jennifer Lavery, Former Chief Executive of NEBDN
NEBDN is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our former Chief Executive, Jennifer Lavery, who led the organisation with outstanding dedication and distinction from 1987 to 2009. During her 22 years of leadership, Jennifer guided NEBDN through one of the most transformative periods in its history, helping the organisation evolve from a traditional examination board into a modern, forward-looking Awarding Organisation.
Under her stewardship, NEBDN introduced the Post-Registration qualification in Conscious Sedation in 1989, strengthening the clinical skills available to dental nurses and reflecting her commitment to advancing patient care. This was followed in 1991 by the introduction of the Post-Registration Oral Health Education qualification, supporting dental nurses to play a greater role in improving public understanding of oral health. In 1995, a significant milestone was reached as the organisation formally became the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses, a change that solidified its identity and national standing.
Jennifer continued to champion professional development, overseeing the introduction of the Special Care Dental Nursing qualification in 2000, which recognised the essential skills required to care for patients with additional needs. This was followed in 2001 by the Dental Sedation Nursing qualification, further enhancing the specialist pathways available to dental nurses. The introduction of the Post-Registration qualification in Dental Radiography in 2006 added yet another vital pathway, broadening the clinical scope of dental nurses and supporting the delivery of safe and effective care across dental practices.
Throughout her tenure, Jennifer was known not only for her strategic insight and her ability to guide NEBDN through periods of significant development, but also for her warmth, integrity, and steadfast belief in the importance of supporting dental nurses at every stage of their careers. Her influence can be seen in the strong foundations she helped build and in the countless dental nurses whose professional journeys have been shaped by the qualifications introduced under her leadership.
We are grateful to colleagues who worked closely with Jennifer for sharing their reflections. Jane Poole, NEBDN’s Assessment Integrity Advisor, who worked alongside Jennifer, shared the following tribute:
“Jenny was a strong, admirable leader. She kept dental nurses at the heart of everything she did, demonstrating this through her years of dedication to NEBDN. She was well respected throughout the organisation and the wider dental community. I knew Jenny from the day I started working at NEBDN in 2008. She was kind and supportive and I will always be thankful to her for that. Jenny was interested in people, her family, friends, and colleagues were at the forefront of what mattered to her. I met Jenny’s family and worked closely with her daughter Diane during her time at NEBDN.
NEBDN were fortunate to know Jenny, she will be fondly missed.”
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Jennifer’s family and friends at this difficult time. Her legacy within NEBDN, and her contribution to the advancement of the dental nursing profession will be remembered with gratitude and respect.
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