Continual Professional Development (CPD)

New CPD guidelines - your quick guide to the facts

January 1st saw the GDC introduce key changes to the way all registered dental staff plan for their minimum 75 hours of verifiable CPD. These changes are to coincide with the second 5-year phase of CPD training and identified 3 core areas for education:

Medical emergencies (at least 10 hours per CPD cycle); (Examples; first aid, CPR, Health & Safety, Risk assessment)

Disinfection and decontamination (at least 5 hours per CPD cycle); (Examples; Cross Infection Control)

Radiography and radiation protection (at least 5 hours per CPD cycle).

The GDC recommend that CPD in medical emergencies be undertaken annually. They also recommend that dentists working in a clinical environment keep themselves up-to-date by doing CPD (verifiable or general) in legal and ethical issues, and handling complaints. Encouraging full team training where appropriate has also been highlighted.

With the opening of the DCP register, the Council is also developing a CPD scheme for DCPs. The scheme will operate in parallel to the dentist scheme and on the same principles, but possibly with some differences in detail. The Council will consult on its proposals during the year and we expect to implement the scheme from mid 2008.

Training - what to consider?

Although these recommendations cover the next 5-year period, it is essential that senior practice staff and managers examine their own needs as well of those of their teams.

All practice managers must have under their control, full procedures, policies and audits for all areas covered within these revised training guidelines. Staff records must show when such trainings have been carried out, when and with what outcome, particularly critical to staff inductions.

Under the F.G.D.P's new career pathway scheme, staff must show what they have learnt back in their day-to-day roles from any training course attended. On the flip side, all training providers must also show clear evidence of the aims, objectives and outcomes of any relevant course being marketing within the industry. The overall aim is to improve the level of training and education within the industry, specifically key subject areas.

Start with those groups which you have a good relationship with such as your local PCT or Deanery. They can advise you of any training courses being run direct or via approved providers.

An example here would be s4dental, which is the training division of schülke. Here, we offer advice and guidance on courses including Health and Safety and law and ethics. For those subjects not in our speciality, we are more than happy to provide information on organisations or governing bodies that can offer further assistance. An example here would be on Radiation and Radiography.

So, when choosing your provider, consider the following:

Any CPD must be relevant to you and your practice to qualify for verifiable CPD.
Must include a delivery of a certificate of achievement, not just attendance.
Must have specific educational aims an objectives.
Must have clear anticipated benefits to your knowledge.
Must give you the opportunity for feedback.

Useful Continual Professional Development (CPD) contacts

General Dental Council

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7887 3801
Web: www.gdc-uk.org

British Dental Association

Tel. 020 7935 0875
Web: www.bda.org

Health & Safety Executive

Tel. 0845 345 0055
Web: www.hse.gov.uk

schülke UK

Tel: +44 (0) 114 254 3500
Web: www.schuelke.com

| | | |