The Dental Council recommends that dentists undertake 50 hours of CPD a year.
CPD is a continuing learning process that complements formal undergraduate and postgraduate education and training. The Dental Council's Code pertaining to Professional Behaviour and Dental ethics states that all dentists have an obligation to maintain and update their knowledge and skills through CPD. CPD is necessary for dentists to maintain and improve their standards across all areas of their practice. Dentists should embrace a culture of lifelong learning to make sure that they remain competent in their practice in order to provide a high quality of patient care. CPD will also help dentists to keep up to date even when they are not practicing.
CPD is defined as studying a course, attending a training course or a seminar, reading and other activities undertaken by a dentist which could reasonably be expected to advance his or her professional development as a dentist. Non-clinical activity can also count as CPD.
CPD Subjects
The Dental Council recommends that all dentists carry out CPD in the three areas listed below. These are recognised by the Dental Council as areas in which all dentists are expected to be proficient. Dentists are required to undertake ongoing development in these areas on a regular basis throughout their practicing career:
Suggested CPD
The Dental Council recommends that dentists working in a clinical environment carry out CPD relating to all aspects of their clinical practice. Other CPD topics dentists may consider include: legal and ehtical issues, handling complaints, health and safety including risk management, pain management, business planning, communication, evidence-based dentistry, child protection and clinical audit.