Practice Plan in top 100. In the Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies To Work For list, Practice Plan placed 34th. Managing Director Nick Dilworth, said, “Ranking 34th place in our first entry into The Sunday Times Top 100 is fantastic. It gives recognition for the way in which we have all pulled together as a team in what has otherwise been a challenging year." www.practiceplan.co.uk

National Smile Month is 16 May to 16 June. The NSM 2010 guide will be included with spring Practice Focus. BDPMA member, Jane Armitage, is seeking help and support with National Smile Month. She would like to involve dental practices up and down and across the country. If you are interested, please contact Jane at tt.foragreatsmile@tiscali.co.uk

Volunteers needed to pilot new online portfolio. The FGDP(UK) is developing an innovative new online portfolio system which it expects will provide significant value to all members. PebblePad is a personal learning system which will allow you to record, reflect on and evaluate learning throughout your career. The pilot will run from 15 February to end of May 2010. You can continue to use PebblePad while any modifications are made until the launch late 2010/early 2011. To join, please email the FGDP(UK) at fgdponlineportfolio@rcseng.ac.uk . You will then be sent login details and guidance notes to get you started. For more information on PebblePad and how it might help you as a member, please contact Julia O’Sullivan, Head of Education on josullivan@rcseng.ac.uk.

DPAS Further Growing Your Practice 'Super' Seminars. The next dates are 12 March (Manchester) and 26 March (Newcastle). You can get a taste of what’s on offer by tuning into the FYGP podcast, available on iTunes, Twitter, Facebook or at the DPAS website. For more information call 01747 870910 or visit www.dpas.co.uk.

Free course offer with DRC. For a limited period the Dental Resource Company is offering BDPMA members its Introductory Award in Dental Practice Management home-learning course FREE! That's a saving of £100 – more than the annual BDPMA membership of £85. The one-month programme (delivered through online workbooks, tutor contact plus video and audio learning materials) covers the role of management, tactical management processes and the importance of a proactive approach in the current business climate. Click here to download more information and details of how to apply

To hear a three-minute audio interview about the course, click here

If you are interested in the course and are not a BDPMA member, it's worth joining. Find out here about the extensive range of benefits which come with BDPMA membership.

Growing your practice in challenging times – BDA seminar buy one, get one half price!. This event is aimed at dentists and their teams who are already established in a practice and want to gain a greater understanding of the business and financial aspects involved in developing their practice further. Special offer: buy one place and get one half price! Friday 23 April 2010 | Leeds Marriott Hotel, Leeds. Earn 6 hours verifiable CPD. More information here and booking form from www.bda.org/seminars

BDPMA members – don't be uninformed! If you are a BDPMA member you should be receiving a monthly newsletter by email and regular emails with news of important events, job vacancies and so on from BDPMA HQ. If not, take action now. Ensure that emails from BDPMA.org.uk are not being treated as spam by your system and confirm that the BDPMA has your correct email address. Click here to confirm your email address.