The General Dental Council (GDC) has announced changes to its Continuing Professional Development (CPD) processes following a review and feedback from stakeholders aimed at improving accessibility.
The GDC said the “changes are designed to make it easier for dental professionals to record and submit their CPD and for providers to issue valid CPD certificates, addressing concerns about the challenges dental professionals face in meeting their CPD obligations effectively.”
The key changes include simplified documentation requirements, with GDC registration numbers no longer mandatory on CPD certificates, clearer guidance on grace periods and restoration, and more flexible approaches to quality assurance verification. The GDC has also updated its requirements for CPD mapping documents, now accepting electronic confirmations and allowing alternative forms of evidence if a mapping document cannot be completed in full.
Summary of the changes
- Registration numbers on CPD certificates: Registration numbers are no longer mandatory on CPD certificates. Dental professionals can write their registration number on CPD evidence if they prefer.
- Signatures on certificates and CPD quality assurance: Signatures are no longer required on certificates to confirm the information is full and accurate. Instead, wording such as “we confirm that the information provided on this certificate is full and accurate and that this CPD has been subject to quality assurance” is sufficient. CPD providers can also send an email confirmation with either a signature or printed name.
- Mapping documents: Signatures are not needed on mapping documents. Dental professionals can provide an email confirmation from their CPD provider instead. If a mapping document cannot be completed in full, alternative forms of evidence can be submitted, like an email from the provider confirming that specified CPD criteria have been met.
- Increasing awareness of grace periods: Dental professionals need to complete their CPD activities before the end of each five-year cycle. If they cannot complete the requirements and have a good reason, they can apply for a grace period, which grants an additional 56 days. Requests for grace periods must be made via eGDC or email within the last six months of the CPD cycle. The GDC does not allow CPD hours to be completed outside the relevant CPD cycle unless a grace period has been agreed upon.
Stefan Czerniawski, Executive Director, Strategy at the GDC, said:
“We recognise that dental professionals sometimes face practical challenges in documenting their learning. By simplifying administrative requirements where we can, these changes will help people focus on what matters most – their professional development.
“There is more to be done to improve the effectiveness of the CPD scheme and we will continue to look for opportunities to make further changes, including encouraging the government to reduce the current legislative obstacles.”
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