Recommended core CPD subjects

The GDC recommends that all dentists and dental care professionals carry out verifiable CPD in three core recommended subjects. The recommended core subjects and suggested minimum number of verifiable hours per CPD cycle that dentists and DCPs should spend on them are:

a. medical emergencies (at least 10 hours per CPD cycle)
b. disinfection and decontamination (at least 5 hours per CPD cycle)
c. radiography and radiation protection (at least 5 hours per CPD cycle)

We recommend that all dentists and dental care professionals do CPD in medical emergencies every year.

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

• legal and ethical issues
• handling complaints

The GDC is also recommending that all dentists and DCPs use a personal development plan so that patients and dentists and DCPs themselves benefit as much as possible from their CPD.

Exceptions

Dental technicians: Instead of radiography and radiation protection, dental technicians can substitute radiography and radiation protection with materials and equipment (at least five hours in every cycle) as their CPD, as the application of radiography is not covered in the curriculum for dental technicians. In all other cases, we recommend that dental technicians carry out CPD in the same core verifiable CPD subjects as other dental care professionals.

Dentists who first registered with the GDC before 2006 should start incorporating these core subject areas into their CPD when they begin their second CPD cycle. 

If you have any questions which are not answered here, please telephone us on +44 (0)845 222 4141 or email gdcregistration@gdc-uk.org