Who we are
The BDA Benevolent Fund was established in 1883 and is an unincorporated charity which is registered with the Charity Commission. Our governing document is the Rules, which were last amended in 2014. The charity provides financial aid to dental students, dentists and their families in need, whether they are in training, in practice, have left the profession or are retired. Applicants must be living in the UK and do not need to be a member of the British Dental Association to qualify for support. For more information about what the charity has done over the years, please visit our HISTORY page.
What we do
We help dental students, dentists and their families who are dealing with:
- Long-term health issues or short-term incapacity due to illness, accident or injury
- Work-related issues such as redundancy, stress, anxiety and bullying
- Bereavement
- Personal insolvency and/or issues managing personal debt
- Age related challenges
- Domestic violence
- Family breakdown and separation
- Addictions such as drugs, alcohol and gambling
Our help ranges from financial assistance in the form of one off or regular grants as well as interest free loans.
Because nobody is immune to misfortune and each individual’s need is different, all applicants are assessed accordingly by our Trustees. All decisions are made quickly and in confidence.
“Many thanks for this kind news. You have no idea how much this will help us as a family. The Benevolent Fund were there to help when I honestly thought there was no one else to turn to. It is very humbling to know that members of my peers and profession were there to help during our time of need. “
Our structure and governance
The charity is made up of a Board of Trustees who are nominated by each branch and major interest group in the British Dental Association. We are delighted to have the BDA’s President (an annual appointment) as our Patron. The Board of Trustees meet regularly to make decisions on requests for help as well as agree the strategy of the charity, including reviewing the grant-making, investment, reserves and risk management policies and investment performance. The Board of Trustees are volunteers that have come from various areas of the dental profession. This means that as an organisation we understand the unique pressures that dentists face on a day-to-day basis, allowing us to deliver the best support possible.
How are we funded?
The BDA Benevolent Fund relies on voluntary donations. The money we raise to help meet the requests for support comes from fellow dentists and their families. This is usually via collections a BDA branches or events, kind individuals contributing regularly or as part of our Christmas appeal as well as legacies. We do not receive funding from the government, other grant giving organisations or lotteries. Without the help of our generous donors we could not continue to provide vital support. If you work for a company and are interested in sponsoring us or offering gifts in kind, we would love to hear from you.
Further information
This infographic explains more about how we help and where our support comes from. BDA Infographic
You can read our latest Annual Report and Accounts on the Charity Commission website here
Registered charity number: 208146