BSDHT
Let’s talk about money… BSDHT President Rhiannon Jones sat down with Jay Dhaliwal from Chase de Vere to talk about money, confidence in managing it and how to feel more financially secure
R
hiannon and Jay’s conversation took place as part of a wider discussion on the latest BSDHT Dental Health Matters podcast, where the pair explored financial confidence, professional protection and the realities of modern working lives in more depth. The Q&A below reflects that conversation, focusing on the practical considerations facing dental hygienists and dental therapists today. Rhiannon: Money can feel like an uncomfortable topic for many dental hygienists and dental therapists. Why do you think it so often gets pushed to the back of the queue? Jay: I think a lot of clinicians are focused on patient care and just getting through busy days, especially when they’re working across multiple practices or are self-employed. Financial planning can feel like something to deal with at a later stage. But the reality is that the earlier you understand your finances, the more confident and secure you tend to feel in your career.
The full conversation is available in the Dental Health Matters podcast episode Money Matters: Building Financial Confidence as a Hygienist or Therapist, released on 24 February. Visit www.bsdht.org.uk/podcast to listen. Rhiannon: Finally, if there’s one message you would want people to take away from this conversation, what would it be? Jay: A lot of people go through their professional lives without giving f inancial planning much thought until something goes wrong, or they reach a point where they wish they had started sooner. So, for me, the key message is not to wait until there is a problem, because even small steps early on can give you more choice, more confidence and greater peace of mind about the future. n
Rhiannon: Professional indemnity is something all clinicians have, but it can still feel quite abstract. How do you explain its importance? Jay: Indemnit y is there to protect you if something goes wrong, whether that ’s a complaint or a miscommunication. The cost s involved can be signif icant, and having the right cover in place means you’re not facing that alone. It’s not just about money; it’s about peace of mind and knowing you can focus on your work. Rhiannon: Where does legal cover fit into everyday working life? Jay: Legal cover often comes into play around contracts, employment status and working arrangements. These issues can come up suddenly, especially if you’re moving between practices. Having access to legal support allows you to sense-check decisions early, which helps you feel more confident about the choices you’re making. Rhiannon: Many dental hygienists and dental therapists are self-employed or rely on limited employer benefits. What should they be thinking about in terms of personal financial protection? Jay: This is where things like income protection become really important. If you can’t do your job, income protection can pay a regular, taxfree amount, often until retirement age. It gives people the option to step back and recover without finances immediately becoming the driving force behind decisions. Rhiannon: And what about critical illness cover and life insurance? Jay: Critical illness cover can provide financial breathing space if someone is diagnosed with a serious illness, so they can focus on recovery. Life insurance is about protecting dependants and covering commitments like mortgages. These are areas many people haven’t been guided through, but they can make a real difference.
Rhiannon: We often talk about confidence in clinical terms, but financial confidence can be harder to define. How does feeling secure financially affect working life? Jay: Finances play a huge role in confidence, even if people don’t always realise it. When you understand your financial position and the protections you have in place, it can reduce a lot of background stress. That clarity helps people feel more confident in their decisions, whether that’s changing working patterns, asking for a pay increase or thinking about next steps in their career. Rhiannon: Pensions are another area that can feel confusing, particularly for those working across different settings. How do you approach that conversation? Jay: Pensions are something people often put off thinking about because they feel complicated. I work a lot with the NHS pension, which is a really valuable scheme but also a complex one. People don’t always understand how it fits into their wider financial picture. When you look at pensions alongside everything else, it becomes much easier to make confident decisions. Rhiannon: And that’s where tools like cash flow planning come in? Jay: Exactly. Cash flow planning lets you see different scenarios, whether that’s going parttime, changing roles or retiring earlier or later. Being able to visualise those options can be incredibly reassuring, especially when careers don’t follow a straight line.
RHIANNON JONES
BSDHT
Rhiannon is the President of the British Society of Dental Hygiene & Therapy.
JAY DHALIWAL
CHASE DE VERE
Jay Dhaliwal is an independent chartered financial planner at Chase De Vere with 10 years’ experience supporting dental professionals. She specialises in protection, pensions, savings and long-term financial planning tailored to real working lives.
22
08_Smile-MarApr_BSDHT.indd 22
07/04/2026 10:33:17