The GDC is calling for views on its compulsory continuing professional development (CPD) scheme for dental care professionals (DCPs), which it proposes to introduce in July 2008.

A review group was set up by the GDC in July 2006 to consider the development of CPD for DCPs. The group has proposed a scheme which will run on the same principles as the scheme for dentists and is now asking for the views of the public, dental professionals and others on two key areas. These are based on how many hours of CPD DCPs should undertake and which recommended core topics DCPs should complete as part of their CPD.

The GDC is proposing to introduce a CPD scheme in which DCPs will complete 150 hours of CPD in a five-year cycle with 50 of those hours being verifiable CPD. This equates to 30 hours per year of which 10 are verifiable CPD.

It plans to include the same recommended core topics as dentists (medical emergencies, disinfection and decontamination, and radiography and radiation protection) as part of verifiable CPD for clinical dental technicians, dental hygienists, dental nurses, dental therapists and orthodontic therapists.

For dental technicians the GDC intends to substitute dental materials and equipment for radiography and radiation protection. This is because the dental technician curriculum does not include radiography and radiation protection as it does for other DCP groups.

The consultation document is available on the GDC website at www.gdc-uk.org/News+publications+and+events/Consultations/. The closing date for responses is 16 March 2007.