In the UK, after graduation, all dentists have the responsibility for continuing their professional education. It is the dentist’s responsibility to keep their skills and knowledge up-to-date. This is a mandatory requirement for all dentists on the GDC register. Failure to record your CPD may result in your name being removed from the dentists register.
It is also important to remember to continue your CPD if you have a career break. Even if you take your name off the register, you will need to show evidence of compliance with CPD if you apply to have your name restored to the register.
CPD is measured over a five-year period. Dentists must complete a minimum of 250 hours of CPD of which 75 hours are verifiable.
If you break these figures down to yearly requirements it works out as 50 hours a year of which 15 must be verifiable.
Verifiable CPD
Activities, eg lectures, courses with clear educational aims and objectives, clear anticipated outcomes, quality control. You will receive a certificate confirming your attendance and the number of verifiable CPD hours you have obtained. You must keep these certificates, as they are an important record and proof of your CPD.
General CPD
These are activities, which contribute to your professional development, eg private study, journal research, and clinical audit.
CPD Core Subjects
The GDC has recommended that dentists carry out CPD in the following core subjects:
- Medical emergencies (at least 10 hours per CPD cycle).
- Disinfection and decontamination (at least 5 hours per CPD cycle).
- Radiography and radiation protection (at least 5 hours per CPD cycle).
In addition, all dentists working within a clinical environment must ensure they are up-to-date in legal and ethical issues and the handling of complaints.
Recording your CPD
You can download a copy of a form from the GDC on which you can record your CPD.
Remember it is important to keep all certificates safely with your CPD record.
Temporary Registration
The requirement of CPD applies to all dentists who wish to stay in the register - even if you hold temporary registration.
