CPD reminder for DCPs

One in four technicians haven’t logged any hours so far

Over 40,000 dental nurses, technicians, hygienists and therapists are now into their final year of their first five-yearly CPD cycle.

The 41,500 registered Dental Care Professionals (DCPs) who were registered on or before 31 July 2008 have until 31 July 2013 to complete 150 hours of CPD, of which 50 hours must be verifiable.

There are concerns that with the deadline could prompts a rush of registrants signing up for courses and a rise in queries relating to past courses, such as requests for replacement certificates.

Figures released by the GDC show that while more than 8,000 DCPs (22 per cent) have logged all their hours, including 50 verifiable hours, 5,698 (13.5 per cent have logged no hours at all so far. There are specific concerns relating to technicians and Clinical Dental Technicians with 25 per cent and 23 per cent respectively having not yet declared any hours.

The GDC sent out a letter to 57,000 DCPs registered before 1 August 2011 at the end of June asking for declaration forms detailing the number of hours they have completed. These were sent to registered addresses, so if you have not received yours, visit http://www.egdc-uk.org to complete your hours online and to update your registered address.

At the end of a CPD cycle the GDC may ask for documentary proof of all verifiable CPD completed and a log of general CPD hours. As well as keeping proof of vCPD and written proof of general hours, the council recommends that registrants keep CPD records for five years after a cycle in case of audit.

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