Dental care professionals (DCPs) are being reminded that they have to be ready for changes to the continuing professional development (CPD) cycle starting in late August.

The MDDUS (Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland) has issued a reminder of the changes that focus on quality of CPD rather than quantity.

Under the new five-year enhanced continuing professional development (ECPD) cycle guidance1 from the General Dental Council (GDC), DCPs will be required to complete a personal development plan.

Dental nurses and dental technicians will also need to complete a minimum of 50 hours verifiable CPD, while dental therapists, dental hygienists, orthodontic therapists, clinical dental technicians will need to complete a minimum of 75 hours.

All DCPs will be moved on to the ECPD scheme and must submit their CPD statement for 2017 to the GDC by 28 Augus 2018.

MDDUS dental adviser Stephen Henderson said: 'DCPs should be aware of these important and significant changes in dental regulation. We welcome this move as the first step in a long-term reform programme that aims to focus on the quality of CPD rather than quantity. This will help keep identify and keep relevant skills up to date and therefore help improve patient safety.

'Registrants will identify their CPD needs using a personal development plan (PDP). This can be informed in a variety of ways such as employee appraisal, work with colleagues or via patient feedback, complaints, audit and significant event analysis.

'The registrant would then carry out CPD that best suits their development needs followed by a period of reflection to evaluate its impact. This reflection should be captured and documented in the event that the GDC asks for a copy of the PDP.

'MDDUS would advise all practices to check that everyone within the team is fully registered ahead of the deadline.'