CPD Training Courses for Dentists

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements for dentists in the UK are set by the General Dental Council (GDC). The GDC's CPD requirements include the following key points:

• Number of Hours: Dentists are required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of CPD every five years. To ensure the spread of these CPD hours across the five-year cycle, the GDC requires a minimum of 10 hours of verifiable CPD across any consecutive two-year period. You might choose to not do CPD in any given year, but must ensure you do at least 10 hours the year before, or the year after, to comply. 
• CPD Categories: CPD activities should cover a range of topics and fall into the following categories: 50 hours of verifiable CPD (activities that can be easily evidenced and verified); 50 hours of non-verifiable CPD (activities that are more difficult to evidence but still contribute to professional development).
• CPD Recording: Dentists must keep a record of their CPD activities, including details such as the title of the activity, the provider, the number of hours, and the date. The GDC may randomly audit dental professionals to ensure compliance.
• Enhanced CPD: The GDC introduced Enhanced CPD (ECPD) in 2018, which included the requirement to create a personal development plan (PDP) as part of the CPD cycle. This plan should identify the dentist's learning needs and objectives for the upcoming year or cycle.
• CPD Cycle: The CPD cycle is usually five years, and dentists are required to make an annual statement of CPD compliance.

For further information, please visit the GDC website.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) offers numerous advantages for dentists, supporting their ongoing learning, skill development, and professional growth. Here are some key advantages of CPD for dentists:

• Maintaining Professional Competence: CPD helps dentists stay current with the latest advancements in dentistry. This ensures that they are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide high-quality and up-to-date care to their patients.
• Adopting New Technologies and Techniques: Dentistry is a dynamic field with constant advancements in technologies and treatment techniques. CPD allows dentists to learn about and integrate new technologies and procedures into their practice, improving patient outcomes and overall efficiency.
• Meeting Regulatory Requirements: Many dental regulatory bodies, such as the General Dental Council (GDC) in the UK, require dentists to engage in CPD as part of their professional obligations. Meeting CPD requirements helps dentists comply with regulatory standards and maintain their professional registration.
• Enhancing Patient Care: CPD contributes to improved patient care by ensuring that dentists are well-informed about evidence-based practices, patient safety measures, and ethical considerations. This, in turn, enhances the overall quality of dental services provided.
• Building Specialised Skills: Dentists can use CPD opportunities to develop specialised skills in areas such as oral surgery, implantology, cosmetic dentistry, or other subspecialties. This can help dentists differentiate themselves in the field and expand their practice offerings.
• Diversification of Services: CPD allows dentists to explore and integrate new services into their practice. This may include incorporating one of our various courses here at Breeze Academy, including acupuncture and dry needling, exercise preselection or clinical yoga, which can broaden the scope of services offered.
• Boosting Confidence and Job Satisfaction: Continuous learning through CPD can boost dentists' confidence in their abilities, leading to increased job satisfaction. Being well-prepared and knowledgeable fosters a sense of professional accomplishment.
• Networking and Collaboration: CPD events often provide opportunities for dentists to network with peers, specialists, and industry experts. Building professional connections can lead to collaborative opportunities, mentorship, and the exchange of ideas and experiences.
• Meeting Patient Expectations: Patients expect their healthcare providers to be knowledgeable and stay current with best practices. Engaging in CPD helps dentists meet and exceed patient expectations, enhancing trust and satisfaction.
• Risk Management: Staying informed about changes in regulations, guidelines, and best practices through CPD can contribute to effective risk management. This can help dentists avoid potential legal and ethical issues associated with outdated practices.
• Career Advancement: CPD can contribute to career advancement by opening up opportunities for leadership roles, academic positions, or specialised practice areas. Employers may value dentists who actively engage in ongoing learning and professional development.

In summary, CPD is a crucial component of a dentist's professional journey, offering benefits that extend beyond individual growth to positively impact patient care, regulatory compliance, and overall professional satisfaction.

In the UK, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for dentists encompasses a broad range of activities that contribute to their ongoing learning, skill development, and professional growth. The General Dental Council (GDC) provides guidelines on what counts as CPD for dentists.

Here are examples of activities that can be considered as CPD for dentists in the UK:

• Structured Learning Activities: Courses and workshops: Attending courses on topics relevant to dentistry. Seminars and conferences: Participating in professional events to learn about new developments. Webinars and online courses: Engaging in structured online learning activities.
• Self-directed Learning: Reading dental journals and publications. Conducting research on specific dental topics. Keeping up with relevant literature and publications.
• Clinical Audits and Reviews: Conducting clinical audits to assess and improve practice. Participating in peer reviews and discussions about clinical cases.
• Clinical Skills Development: Training in new clinical procedures or techniques. Workshops or hands-on sessions focused on improving clinical skills.
• Reflective Practice: Reflecting on experiences and learning from patient cases. Keeping a reflective journal to document and analyse professional experiences.
• Mentoring and Teaching: Mentoring junior colleagues or students. Teaching or lecturing at dental schools or educational institutions.
• Quality Improvement Activities: Engaging in activities to improve the quality and safety of patient care. Implementing changes in practice based on feedback and learning.
• Professional Discussions and Case Presentations: Participating in case discussions with peers. Presenting cases and discussing treatment plans.
• Specialist and Postgraduate Qualifications: Pursuing specialist training or postgraduate qualifications. Completing higher education courses relevant to dentistry.
• Research and Publications: Conducting research projects. Publishing articles or contributing to dental literature.

It's important to note that CPD activities should be relevant to the dentist's scope of practice and contribute to their professional development. Verifiable CPD involves activities that can be easily evidenced and confirmed, while non-verifiable CPD includes activities that are more challenging to evidence but still contribute to learning.

Dentists are responsible for keeping a record of their CPD activities, including details such as the title of the activity, the provider, the number of hours, and the date. The GDC may randomly audit dental professionals to ensure compliance with CPD requirements. Dentists should refer to the GDC's guidance for the most up-to-date information on CPD requirements and what activities qualify.

When dentists fail to meet CPD requirements in the UK, as mandated by the General Dental Council (GDC), it can lead to regulatory consequences. The GDC places a strong emphasis on CPD as a means to ensure that dental professionals continue to develop their skills, maintain competence, and keep abreast of changes and advancements in the field.

Here are potential outcomes when dentists do not meet CPD requirements:

• Removal from the Register: One of the most severe consequences is the potential removal from the GDC's register. The register is a vital credential for dental professionals, and without it, they are not authoriSed to practice dentistry in the UK.
• Suspension: In cases of serious non-compliance, the GDC may opt for suspension rather than immediate removal from the register. Suspension temporarily prohibits the dentist from practicing, allowing time for the dentist to address CPD deficiencies and rectify the situation.
• Investigation and Disciplinary Action: Failure to meet CPD requirements may trigger an investigation by the GDC. This investigation could lead to disciplinary proceedings if it is determined that there has been a breach of professional standards. Disciplinary action may include warnings, fines, or other sanctions.
• Additional Training and Assessments: In some cases, regulatory authorities may require dentists to undergo additional training or assessments to address CPD deficiencies. This could involve completing specific CPD activities, attending courses, or demonstrating competence in certain areas.
• Reinstatement Process: If a dentist is removed from the register or suspended due to CPD non-compliance, the process for reinstatement may involve demonstrating compliance with outstanding CPD requirements, submitting evidence of ongoing professional development, and potentially undergoing assessments to ensure competence.

Dentists who find themselves facing challenges in meeting CPD requirements should reach out to the GDC for guidance and support. Seeking advice early on can help mitigate potential consequences and allow for a more constructive resolution to the situation.