Sir,- We write concerning a funding crisis that has affected our MGDS study group in Norwich following the move of the Norfolk and Norwich study group onto its new private finance initiative funded hospital site.

We are a study group based loosely around the MGDS syllabus. The educational format is largely participatory rather than through formal lectures. The group was founded in 1987 and has met fortnightly during academic term times in the postgraduate medical education centre of the hospital. Our meetings are open to all dental professionals and we have a regular attendance of 10-12 members, and occasionally run larger meetings which attract a wider audience. During the past 16 years our members have achieved three passes at DGDP, six at MGDS, one at FFGDP, three at DPDS, one MSc in prosthodontics and two MSc in endodontics.

Until April this year we received Section 63 funding of £60.00 per meeting and free use of a room in the postgraduate education centre. In April our funding was cut and consequently having lost our Section 63 funding we find ourselves unable to use the postgraduate facilities at one of the country's newest hospital/medical schools unless we pay a £500.00 per meeting room hire fee.

Meanwhile endless repeat Section 63 courses continue apparently unrestricted by lack of funding, and one is forced to wonder whether they serve any purpose other than to allow GDP's to attain their verifiable CPD quota.

Obviously funding is limited, but the disbursement of any funds should be dictated by merit and value. Using these criteria it is reasonable to feel that study group funding should not be withdrawn without a more thorough overview of local CPD provision. It would be interesting to hear from any other study groups who may be facing similar difficulties.