Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a vital aspect of maintaining safe, effective, and up-to-date dental care. Overseen by the General Dental Council (GDC), the CPD requirements ensure that dental professionals across the UK are continually learning and improving their skills throughout their careers.
Recently, the GDC has announced updates to its CPD process, with the goal of making it more reflective, meaningful, and aligned with professional practice. Whether you're a dentist, dental nurse, hygienist, or technician, these changes affect you. In this blog, we’ll break down what’s new, what remains unchanged, and how to stay on track.
Why the Update?
The recent changes aim to simplify the process of recording and submitting CPD, making it more straightforward for dental professionals to meet their obligations. They also help CPD providers issue valid certificates more efficiently. These updates respond to feedback from stakeholders who highlighted the practical difficulties many professionals face when documenting their learning.
By easing some of the administrative burden, the GDC hopes to allow dental professionals to concentrate on what truly matters—their ongoing professional development and the delivery of safe, effective patient care.
What’s Changing?
The GDC has introduced several updates to simplify how you record, verify, and submit your CPD. These changes are designed to reduce administrative burdens and help you meet your professional development requirements with greater ease. Here’s an overview of the key updates:
Registration Numbers on CPD Certificates
Registration numbers are no longer mandatory on CPD certificates. While you can still add it if you wish, it is no longer a requirement. The revised guidance now clearly reflects this update for both dental professionals and CPD providers.
Signatures and Quality Assurance
Signatures on CPD certificates are no longer necessary to confirm the accuracy of the information. Instead, providers are encouraged to use statements such as:
"We confirm that the information provided on this certificate is full and accurate and that this CPD has been subject to quality assurance."
This confirmation can also be sent via email, with either a printed name or a signature. The sample CPD certificate has been updated to reflect this change.
Mapping Documents
Mapping documents no longer require a signature. A simple email from the CPD provider confirming that the relevant criteria have been met will suffice. If you are unable to complete a mapping document in full, you can submit alternative evidence, such as an email from the provider confirming that the CPD criteria have been met.
Raising Awareness of Grace Periods
You are required to complete your CPD activities before the end of each five-year cycle. However, if you are unable to meet the requirements and have a valid reason, you can apply for a grace period, which can give you an additional 56 days. You must request a grace period via your eGDC or by email within the last six months of your CPD cycle. Please note that CPD hours completed outside of the relevant cycle will not be accepted unless a grace period has been agreed upon.
What Stays the Same?
While the GDC has introduced some important improvements, the core structure of the Enhanced CPD scheme remains unchanged:
Minimum CPD Hours
You must still complete at least 10 hours of CPD in every two-year period and meet the minimum required hours over your five-year cycle (e.g., 100 hours for dentists and 75 for dental care professionals).
Annual CPD Declaration
You will continue to declare your CPD hours annually at the time of your registration renewal.
Personal Development Plan (PDP)
Your PDP remains a key tool for planning your learning and demonstrating its relevance to your scope of practice.
To properly record your CPD, you must maintain a personal development plan, link your activities to at least one development outcome, and keep either a certificate, a mapping document, or an email from the provider as evidence of verifiable CPD.
For more details, see the GDC Scheme for CPD.
How to Stay Compliant
To stay compliant with the updated CPD processes:
- Review Your Personal Development Plan (PDP) – Make sure it reflects your current goals and responsibilities.
- Use the Updated Templates – Access them on the GDC website to record learning outcomes and reflections.
- Schedule CPD Regularly – Don’t leave it to the last minute. Spread your hours evenly across your cycle.
- Reflect on Each Activity – Consider what you learnt and how it applies to your work.
- Keep Records Up to Date – Store evidence and certificates securely, as you may be asked to provide them.
Conclusion
The GDC’s update to CPD processes is a positive step towards more meaningful, reflective learning across the dental profession. By aligning CPD with your real-world responsibilities and patient care goals, the GDC hopes to ensure dental professionals are supported in their development—now and into the future. Be sure to review your current CPD plans, explore the new tools available, and embrace this opportunity to shape your growth as a dental professional.
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