Vital CPD

Regular readers of Vital have been completing sample CPD questions on the Vital Guide Series for years now, but the moment has finally come when we can introduce verifiable CPD to all our dental care professional (DCP) readers.

Each issue of Vital will contain two articles that have been selected for verifiable CPD and four multiple choice questions will be linked to each of these articles.

DCPs will receive one verifiable CPD hour per article, a potential two hours of verifiable CPD per issue, or eight hours a year. In order to submit your answers to the multiple choice questions, you will need to register and subscribe to the CPD area of our new website at www.nature.com/vital. The annual cost is £30 and certificates to prove how many hours you have completed will be issued via the website. Every member of the dental team who wants to take part in Vital verifiable CPD will need their own unique log-in and password.

The multiple choice questions will be published in the print issue of Vital and online, but answers have to be submitted via the website. The answers will then appear in the following issue of Vital.

CPD: a recap

According to the General Dental Council (GDC), continuing professional development (CPD) means training which:

  • comprises lectures, seminars, courses, practical sessions, individual study or other activities undertaken by a dental care professional

  • can reasonably be expected to advance professional development as a dental care professional

  • is relevant to the individual's practice or intended practice.

From 30 July 2008, all DCPs registered with the GDC must complete 150 hours of CPD per five-year cycle, 50 hours of which must be verifiable. Verifiable CPD is CPD that can be verified by a third party and has:

  • clear aims and objectives – it should have a clear purpose/goal

  • clear anticipated outcomes – you should know what you can expect to gain as a result of taking part

  • quality controls – you should have the chance to give feedback, with a view to improving quality.

The first CPD year will begin on 1 August 2008 (if you have registered by 30 July 2008). It is vital that you maintain an up-to-date record of the CPD you have completed, including:

  • a description of each item of CPD completed, and whether it is verifiable or non-verifiable (also known as ‘general’ CPD)

  • the number of hours of CPD completed for each item

  • evidence of each item of verifiable CPD (for example a certificate).

Core subjects

The GDC recommends that the whole dental team cover CPD in the following core areas:

  • medical emergencies (at least ten hours per five-year cycle)

  • disinfection and decontamination (at least five hours per five-year cycle)

  • radiography and radiation protection (at least five hours per five-year cycle).

All those who work in a clinical or laboratory environment are advised to also carry out CPD (verifiable or non-verifiable) in:

  • legal and ethical issues

  • complaints handling.

Not a GDC registrant?

If you are a DCP who doesn't need to register with the GDC, for example a dental receptionist or dental practice manager, and still want to take part in Vital verifiable CPD, you are more than welcome. On the website, just select ‘no’ when you are asked if you have a GDC registration number. If you are a GDC registrant, your registration number will be included on your certificate.

General CPD

You can also include reading Vital in your ‘general’ (non-verifiable) CPD records.