GDC announces new approach to CPD

The General Dental Council (GDC) has announced the introduction of new requirements for continuing professional development (CPD) for dental professionals.

Set to come into force in 2018, the changes will see a personal development plan introduced for each member of the dental team, which will help to identify areas for further development and encourage lifelong learning, whilst also recording the details of CPD activity.

There are also changes to the number of hours that dental professionals must complete during a cycle. Over a five-year period, dentists will need to complete 100 hours of verifiable CPD, with a 75-hour requirement for hygienists, dental therapists, clinical dental technicians and orthodontic therapists, and 50 hours for dental nurses and dental technicians.

These new requirements will be implemented in January 2018 for dentists and in August 2018 for dental care professionals.

Ian Brack, chief executive of the GDC, said: "Having a better system for CPD … ties in with the prevention of patient harm element which was one of the principles set out in 'Shifting the Balance'."

The Shifting the Balance programme represents a new approach to GDC regulation, designed to ensure the organisation's methods are fit for the future.

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