Primary Care

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) - Key Facts

The GDC states that:

1. All dentists must complete 250 hours of CPD (75 of which need to be verifiable) every five-years to remain on the UK Dentists Register. All DCPs must complete 150 hours of CDP (50 of which must be verifiable) to remain on the UK DCP Register

2. Dentists and all DCPs must maintain their own CPD records

3. Dentists  and all DCPs must submit an annual statement of the CPD hours they have completed each year

The GDC monitor compliance with the requirements by random sampling of dentists' CPD records

Failure to comply with GDC requirements may lead to erasure from the dentists/DCPs Register; if you have taken time off the Register, you must then demonstrate compliance with CPD when you apply to restore your registration.

For more information, please see:

CDP and Dentists

CPD and the DCPs

Or call or email  the GDC on the following details:

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7344 3740

E-mail GDCregistration@gdc-uk.org

What is verifiable CPD?

To be verifiable CPD, the GDC state that the activity must have:

  1. Concise educational aims and objectives;
  2. Clear anticipated outcomes;
  3. Quality controls (i.e there must be an opportunity for you to give feedback on what you think of it);
  4. You must obtain and keep documentary proof of your attendance/participation from an appropriate third party.

All courses listed in the Deanery Course Programme meet the GDC criteria for verifiable CPD.

What is general (previously referred to as non-verifiable) CPD?

Activities which are of benefit to your continuing professional development but which are self-directed - for example, journal reading, Multimedia learning.

Keeping a Record of Your CPD

All dentists are required to keep a record of their own CPD in a format that can be sent to the GDC. The GDC will select dentists at random each year and ask them to produce their CPD records, including verification of their Verifiable CPD.

The GDC are able to provide a recording form by either downloading a copy from their website or by emailing a request to recertification@gdc-uk.org.

For further information regarding CPD, please refer to the GDC website or call their information line at 020 7888 3838.

CPD and Core Courses

The GDC recommends that all dentists and DCPs carry out verifiable CPD in three core recommended subjects:

  1. Medical Emergencies (at least 10 hours per CPD cycle)
  2. Disinfection and decontamination (at least 5 hours per CPD cycle)
  3. Radiography and Radiation Protection (at least 5 hours per CPD cycle)

In addition, the GDC recommends that Dentists and DCPs working in a clinical environment carry out CPD (verifiable or non-verifiable) to make sure they are up to date in:

  1. legal and ethical issues
  2. handling complaints

Eligibility to attend CPD courses

All of our courses are approved and meet the CPD requirements of the General Dental Council. Courses are open to NHS practitioners with a PCT Performer number. Dentists working in the GDS or CDS can also attend these courses.

Subject to availability, non-NHS General Dental Practitioners may be admitted to a course; however a non-NHS Dentist payment of £100 per financial year will be required in order for you to access all courses run throughout KSS Deanery. A non-NHS DCP will not incur this fee, and will be accepted on to the course at the advertised rate, subject to availability.

Please contact the appropriate Postgraduate Centre for further information on this; the Dental Education Booking System (DEBS) contains all the courses that are currently available.

Are you are a Course Provider looking to meet GDC CPD requirement?

If you are looking to run a Training Course which will meet the CPD requirements set out by the GDC, please refer to the GDC website for further information. Neither KSS Deanery nor the GDC will endorse any particular Training Course.