Gemma Langford, member of Vital's Reader Panel and author of Vital article Let your hygienist shine! (autumn 2011), has set up a perio study group in Liverpool to provide relevant CPD for dental hygienists and therapists in the region.

The first event took place at Rose Lane Dental Practice in Liverpool in January this year with Ian Dunne as the guest speaker. Gemma explains: ‘There is a lack of CPD courses in the North West specifically catering for hygienists/therapists, especially at a time of day that is suitable and doesn't require the delegate to lose clinical time.

‘I wanted to provide free CPD because of the current economic climate and the saturation of the job market in my area.’

Gemma, who is based at 10 Dental in Southport, attracted delegates via social media and through word of mouth. She also sought advice on providing CPD from the General Dental Council (GDC).

After the first meeting at Rose Lane, Gemma was approached by GSK who were interested in sponsoring the study groups. GSK's sponsorship enables her to provide a guest speaker for future events, food at the venues and samples of GSK products for members.

‘It is important to keep up to date with developments in periodontology,’ said Gemma. ‘We have discussed prevention versus cure, smoking cessation, periodontal litigation and non-surgical periodontal therapy. Our planned topics for the future are prosthodontics in the disease prone patient, perio/endo lesions and orthodontics in periodontal patients.’

Readers interested in future events can contact Gemma on gemma_langford@yahoo.com. Other members of the dental team are also welcome to attend.