As we at First Medical Training Ltd are sure you are aware Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is compulsory for all dentists and associated professions from the 1st of August 2008. CPD is a scheme run by the General Dental Council (GDC), requiring the dental profession to take 250 hours of CPD over a five year rotating cycle as a condition of their remaining registered.

At least 75 hours of your CPD must be verifiable CPD, with the remaining hours be made up by general CPD.

1. To count as verifiable CPD activity, they must have four key elements:
    a. Concise educational aims and objectives
    b. Clear anticipated outcomes
    c. Quality control (opportunity to feed back)
    d. Must obtain and keep documentary proof (a certificate of attendance from an appropriate third party)

General CPD activities are those which contribute to your professional development, but may not meet all the above for verifiable CPD.

All dental professionals must maintain and keep their own CPD records and submit them to the GDC on an annual statement of the CPD hours that they have completed. The GDC expect all dental professionals to carry out verifiable CPD in three core subjects at the beginning of their next five year CPD cycle.

The recommended three core subjects and minimum suggested number of verifiable CPD hours are:

1. Medical emergencies (at least 10 hours verifiable CPD)
2. Disinfection and decontamination (at least 5 hours verifiable CPD)
3. Radiography and radiation protection (at least 5 hours verifiable CPD)

In addition the GDC recommends that a dentist in clinical practice, carry out CPD (verifiable or general) to make sure they are up to date in both a legal and ethical issues and the handling of any complaints.