An audit carried out by the GDC has found that over 20 per cent of verifiable continuing professional development (CPD) completed by dentists is in three core subjects recommended by the Council - medical emergencies; disinfection and decontamination; and radiography and radiation protection.

The GDC audited a sample of dentists in the first completed five-year CPD cycle (2002 to 2006). Although core subjects were not introduced until January 2007, dentists’ records showed they were already incorporating these in their CPD activities. 

100 per cent of dentists who sent in their records for the audit had complied with the CPD requirements and completed 75 hours of verifiable CPD. The vast majority provided evidence exceeding this amount.

Dentists had completed an average of 19 separate verifiable CPD activities, covering a range of clinical and other subjects relevant to their work.

A number of good practices were highlighted, including using a personal development plan, keeping good records and staying up to date with CPD providers locally.

Duncan Rudkin, Chief Executive and Registrar of the GDC, said:
 
“The annual audit allows us to monitor compliance with the CPD requirements. We are pleased with the results of this first audit. Dentists in the first completed CPD cycle have gone above and beyond what was expected of them.

The recommended core subjects were new in 2007, so these dentists were not obliged to incorporate them. The fact that dentists have done more than 20 per cent of their verifiable CPD in these key areas is good news for patients, who can have confidence that dentists are keeping their skills and knowledge up to date.”

The next CPD cycle will finish on 31 December 2007. Dentists in this cycle should make sure that they are on track to have completed the required hours of CPD and that their records are in order.

Further information on CPD is available on this website, or by calling the Registration Team on 0845 222 4141.

Ends

For media enquiries, please contact Jodie Ward on 020 7009 2746 or jward@gdc-uk.org.

Notes to editors:

1. By law, all dentists must complete 250 hours of CPD over a five year period as a condition of retention on the Dentists Register, of which 75 hours must be verifiable.

2. The recommended core subjects and suggested minimum number of verifiable hours per CPD cycle that dentists 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)

In addition, the GDC recommends that dentists 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