Being a registered dental care professional (DCP) comes with responsibilities. We are expected to maintain high standards and to provide the best possible care for our patients. We are expected to follow the principles set out in the General Dental Council's (GDC's) Standards for dental professionals. Standard number five charges us to maintain our professional knowledge and competence. It is a legal requirement for us to prove that we have kept our knowledge and skills up-to-date. Our patients have a right to expect well informed professionals who provide a high standard of care.

Compulsory continuing professional development (CPD) for DCPs was introduced by the GDC in 2008. More than 43,000 DCPs started their CPD cycle in 2008 and the GDC requires us to complete annual CPD returns. Nevertheless, the GDC states that over 8,000 DCPs (19%) did not declare any hours after the first year. More than 14,000 DCPs (33%) declared CPD hours for the first year only. Do we need to be reminded that CPD is a legal requirement? If you fail to meet the GDC requirement of 150 hours you will be removed from the register and you will be unable to practise.

In my role as DCP Tutor for the London Deanery I have had the opportunity to liaise with DCPs to discuss their CPD requirements and develop personal development plans (PDPs). Some of the issues that have come to my attention are that there is no coherent structure for completing the CPD requirements; CPD is being completed but not being logged; CPD certificates are not being filed in a PDP which results in them being misplaced; DCPs have not checked if all the educational criteria for verifiable CPD have been met – for example I have seen verifiable CPD certificates which do not state the number of CPD hours undertaken; and DCPs are not recording the title of the journal articles they have read.

All DCPs should ask themselves, what have I completed after three years? What do I need to complete in the next two years? How am I going to do it?

The GDC has provided guidance but it is up to us to ensure that our CPD meets the educational criteria. The CPD certificate should come from the activity provider or organiser, and should show the number of hours you spent on the activity. The certificate should include the number of hours being claimed. The aims and learning outcomes for each activity should be filed along with the CPD certificate.

DCPs can be proactive by developing a PDP and the GDC recommends it. The GDC states that a PDP should be used to help you decide how you will meet the minimum CPD requirements. If we develop PDPs we will have a structured plan of completing our CPD which will reduce the risk of not meeting our requirements. We have already completed three years of compulsory CPD so an assessment of where we are is appropriate.

All DCPs should ask themselves: what have I completed after three years? What do I need to complete in the next two years? How am I going to do it? I would not suggest that you leave all the CPD until the final year to complete. As the name suggests continuing professional development should be continuing.

I am not meeting the requirements, what should I do?

Do not panic! Get a folder and start by developing a PDP which will help you to be organised and structured. First look at what you have completed and ensure that you have filled in the CPD logs for both your verifiable and general CPD hours for each year. Ensure that you have proof of your verifiable hours – so all your CPD certificates need to be in your PDP.

The next step would be to look at the mandatory CPD subjects. We are required to complete medical emergencies (at least ten hours per CPD cycle), disinfection and decontamination (at least five hours per CPD cycle), radiography and radiation protection (at least five hours per CPD cycle). It is recommended that training in medical emergencies is completed each year. If we work in a clinical environment the GDC also recommends CPD in legal and ethical issues and complaints handling. What have you completed? What will you need to complete in the next two years?

Where can I find courses?

Check the websites of the Postgraduate Dental Deanery in your area. Courses at the London Deanery can be found at https://www.ewisdom-london.nhs.uk/. You can also complete your PDP online with eWisdom. You can search the websites of the professional associations and commercial providers who often advertise in dental journals and magazines.

There is no shortage of CPD courses for you to choose from. However, think about your needs before your ‘wants’. You should plan for all your mandatory and recommended CPD first before planning for other courses. Your PDP does not remain static and will need to be reviewed annually. If you adapt this forward planning approach you are likely to meet the statutory requirements.

Useful links

Ed's note: Each issue of Vital contains two hours of verifiable CPD! Turn to page 51 for more information.