Credit: © JDQ

‘Those I've spoken to about CPD have mixed feelings,’ says Steph Horner, a dental nurse and Decontamination Lead from Colchester who has just joined Vital's reader panel. Steph's sentiments are echoed by DCPs across the country: yes, CPD is essential to stay registered with the GDC and keep up to date, but finding the time, resources and funds to complete it can be a challenge.

If you are one of the 4,600 DCPs who, according to the GDC, have logged no CPD hours, start now! Turn to Nicky Gough's straightforward refresher article on CPD on page 34. Then turn to page 49 to get started on this month's Vital verifiable CPD, which includes a precious hour on radiography – essential core CPD. If you're still stuck or confused about CPD, send us an email or drop us a line and we'll see what we can do to point you in the right direction. Vital is your magazine!

This is the last Vital of 2012 and we have an exciting year ahead: 2013 is Vital's 10th anniversary! Look out for some special offers and competitions in upcoming issues. If something momentous is happening in your life in 2013 then we'd love to hear about it – whatever it is, dentistry-related or not.

In the meantime find a warm, comfy spot, pull up a brew, and get stuck into this issue of Vital. And have a happy festive season with your dental teams across the land!

Kate Maynard Editor www.facebook.com/vitalmagazine