GDC issues reminder over CPD responsibilities

The General Dental Council (GDC) has reminded dental professionals of the need to ensure they are adhering to their continuing professional development (CPD) responsibilities, with a number of key deadlines approaching.

Around 57,000 GDC registrants have been sent a declaration form asking them to submit the number of hours they have completed, which must be returned to the regulatory body by August 28th 2012.

The organisation also noted that 41,500 dental care professionals are now heading into their final year of a five-year cycle, meaning they must complete 150 hours of CPD by July 31st 2013.

A total of 50 of these hours must be verifiable, meaning the activity in question must have concise educational objectives, clear anticipated outcomes, quality controls and documentary proof.

Failure to do so places dentists at risk of losing their GDC registrations, leading the council to call for any professionals unsure of their responsibility to ask for more information.

The GDC is currently attempting to carry out reforms of its CPD procedures, which could lead to the introduction of mandatory declarations every year, among other changes.