eGDCCPD for dental professionals
CPD is about keeping your knowledge and skills as a dental professional up to date. CPD contributes to improved patient care and ensures we have the tools we need to meet and maintain high professional standards.
Lifelong learning, through CPD, is at the heart of what it means to be a dental professional.
Enhanced CPD
What happens if I don’t comply with the CPD requirements?
CPD is a compulsory part of registration with the GDC. If you are unable to comply you may be removed from the Register. If you have been removed from the Register, you will not be able to practise dentistry legally in the UK. However, if you are removed from the Register, you can apply for restoration once you are compliant with CPD requirements.
If I am on maternity leave, will this change my CPD requirement?
If you are on maternity leave and wish to remain registered, you will need to continue to meet your CPD requirements during your leave period.
If I take time off or have a career break, do I still need to do CPD?
If you are registered with the GDC, you must continue to do CPD even if you are not currently working for any reason. This is because CPD is a legal requirement of registration. The requirement to do CPD is not based on your employment status. If you leave the Register, for any reason but intend to restore in the future, you must continue to undertake CPD and keep a personal development plan (PDP). You will be required to show evidence of this when applying for restoration.
Can I count CPD completed outside of the UK?
Yes, for example, if you have attended CPD activities that took place abroad. However, you must make sure the CPD activities you complete meet the requirements of the Enhanced CPD Scheme 2018, including the requirements for evidence of verifiable CPD.
If the CPD you complete abroad is recorded as points or credits you will need to get extra evidence from the provider to confirm the equivalent number of hours. If your CPD provider is unable to provide certificated evidence, in line with the requirements for verifiable CPD, you might be able use the Verifiable CPD Mapping Document
What if I am a temporary registrant?
If you are a temporary registrant, you must undertake at least 20 hours of CPD during each CPD year. You will be asked to declare your CPD statement upon completion of a years' worth of direction. This will be required before the next direction is granted. Please note that temporary registrants are not able to apply for a grace period (please see below question on periods of grace).
If you are a temporary registrant and have further questions, please email us using the contact us form.
Can my foundation or vocational (Scotland) training activities count towards CPD?
Yes, but only if the whole of your foundation or vocational training takes place within your five-year CPD cycle. Please be mindful to check your eGDC account for when your CPD cycle officially starts. For CPD to count as verifiable, it must comply with our verifiable CPD requirements. If your foundation or vocational provider is unable to provide certificated evidence, in line with the requirements for verifiable CPD, you might be able to use the Verifiable CPD Mapping Document
I haven’t completed the minimum number of CPD hours over my five-year cycle, can I have an extension or a period of grace?
At the end of your five-year cycle you should have completed the minimum CPD requirement. If you are coming to the end of your CPD cycle and discover that you will not be able to meet the minimum CPD requirement, you can request a period of grace. We will only grant a request for a grace period when you satisfy us there is an exceptional circumstance, or good reason to do so.
You can submit a request in writing no earlier than six months before the end of your CPD cycle. The Enhanced CPD Scheme grace rules also apply to you if your current CPD cycle is spanning both schemes i.e. you are in transition.
If your grace request is granted, you will have an additional 56 days after the end of the CPD cycle to comply with your CPD requirement.
Please note that temporary registrants are not able to apply for a grace period.
For any further queries regarding a period of grace, please contact us by emailing us.
Does the GDC run CPD activities?
No, we are not a CPD provider.
Can I count time delivering CPD activity as my own CPD?
No. Routinely delivering CPD is conveying or demonstrating knowledge and skills you already possess and is not CPD. Similarly, any task undertaken as part of your normal role(s) would not be considered CPD.
Does the GDC quality assure CPD or CPD providers?
No. We do not have the power to quality assure CPD. Please see the CPD Provider Guidance, for further information on quality assurance.