Patients are right to expect that dental professionals are keeping their skills and knowledge up to date throughout their careers.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is compulsory for all dentists. To remain registered to practise, they must complete 250 hours of CPD every five years.

CPD for Dental Care Professionals (DCPs) will start on 1 August 2008. DCPs will have to complete 150 hours of CPD every five years to remain registered to practise. DCPs can refer to our CPD guidance for DCPs for further information.

We are also working to introduce a new system called 'revalidation', which will further improve patient safety and encourage high standards in the profession.

Revalidation will mean that registered dental professionals have to regularly show us that they are fit to stay on our registers.