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CPD scheme 2008-2017

If you started your current CPD cycle during, or before, 2017, you will be subject to the rules of the CPD Scheme 2008-2017, until you complete your current CPD cycle. Until you have completed your current CPD cycle, you should remain familiar with the requirements.

Please find the Guidance and the Rules for the Scheme below. The Guidance includes definitions of verifiable, and non-verifiable, CPD.

CPD Scheme 2008-2017 Guidance (Updated: 22 December 2017)

The GDC (CPD) (Dentists) Rules Order of Council 2008

The GDC (CPD) (Professions Complementary to Dentistry) Rules Order of Council 2008

CPD hours for dentists

Under the CPD Scheme 2008-2017 dentists need to complete a minimum of 250 hours of CPD every five years. At least 75 hours need to be verifiable CPD.

CPD hours for dental care professionals (DCPs)

Under the CPD Scheme 2008-2017 dental care professionals (DCPs) need to complete a minimum of 150 hours of CPD every five years. At least 50 hours need to be verifiable CPD.

CPD enquiries

Further information on recording and submitting CPD is available on this page, and recommended topics for CPD can be found here.

If you have any questions about the CPD Scheme 2008-2017, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below. Or, if your question is particular to your personal circumstances, please email us using the contact us form.

If your question is about transition, please check the section CPD cycles spanning both schemes. Please also note that your eGDC account will include personalised information on the number of CPD hours you will need to complete during your current CPD cycle.

 

Frequently asked questions

All registrants have now moved to the Enhanced CPD Scheme 2018. The Scheme began on 1 January 2018 for dentists and 1 August 2018 for DCPs. 
 
Therefore, unless you started a new CPD cycle in 2018, or later, your CPD cycle will be spanning both the Enhanced CPD Scheme 2018 and the CPD Scheme 2008-2017, until the end of your current cycle. All dental professionals will be transitioned to the Enhanced CPD Scheme 2018 by 31 July 2022.
 
A pro rata approach has been applied to the amount of CPD you will need to complete. Your personalised CPD requirements can be found on your eGDC account. Once your current cycle ends, the CPD requirements for your next cycle will be subject to the rules of the Enhanced CPD Scheme 2018
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 get in touch using the contact us form. Or if making a request by post, please address it to: GDC, One Colmore Square, Birmingham, B4 6AJ. 
The CPD activities you do must be relevant to your practice or intended practice, including when this is across more than one title. You must do the minimum amount of CPD for the title that requires the higher number of hours. 
 
Under the Enhanced CPD Scheme 2018, if you are registered as a dental nurse and dental hygienist, you will need to complete the minimum hours for a dental hygienist (75 hours). Under the CPD Scheme 2008-2017, if you are registered under more than one DCP title, you must do a minimum of 150 hours (min 50 verifiable).
 
If you are registered as both a dentist and a DCP you will have two separate CPD cycles and need to complete 100 hours CPD. You will need to comply with CPD requirements for both professions. However, any CPD you undertake can be counted towards both your dentist and DCP cycle. Under the CPD Scheme 2008-2017, you must complete the requirement for a dentist, that is, a minimum of 250 hours CPD (minimum of 75 hours verifiable CPD).