With our busy schedules and long working hours, CPD (Continued Professional Development) obligations can seem like an extra burden that we could do without.
However, most agree that continued education for dental professionals is an ethical necessity, ensuring that we have the latest skills and knowledge to deliver the best possible care for our patients.
What Is CPD and Why Do We Need It?
First and foremost, CPD is about helping dental professionals keep abreast of the latest developments within the industry. Keeping up to date ensures that we have the tools to continue high professional standards.
Learning and developing at every stage of your career is an obligation to your patients and is fundamental to what it means to be a dental professional.
CPD Obligations in 2024
Since the introduction of Enhanced CPD in 2018, these are the current UK verifiable CPD hours required during your five-year cycle:
- Dentists = 100 hours.
- Dental therapists, dental hygienists, orthodontic therapists and clinical dental technicians = 75 hours.
- Dental nurses and dental technicians = 50 hours.
- Temporary registrants (dentists) = 20 hours.
If you hold multiple registrations, the minimum CPD requirement applies to the title with the highest number of required hours.
So, although these obligations can seem like a significant amount of unwanted extra work, these hours are, in fact, spread over five years. This work time provides an excellent opportunity not only to take an online dental program to enhance your skill set, but also to collect verifiable CPD towards your target.
For a detailed overview The GDC (General Dental Council) has provided a really useful page with comprehensive Enhanced CPD information.
CPD Around The World
For many countries that have been introducing effective legislation – such as India’s National Dental Commission Act of 2023 – online dental courses are an excellent verifiable CPD resource.
Although CPD guidelines vary from region to region – for example licensed dentists in Utah, USA are obligated to carry out 30 hours of dental continuing education every two years whereas practitioners in Australia are required to complete a minimum of 60 hours of CPD activities over a three-year CPD cycle – the flexibility of online dental lessons means practitioners can fit their learning activities around their schedule.
Whatever the local stipulations, most regulatory bodies accept CPD that is undertaken online through recognised organisations.
Does an eIntegrity Dental Course Contribute To CPD?
The e-Den dental course was developed by the Faculty of Dental Surgery, of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, and NHS England eLearning for Healthcare.
All e-Den modules are awarded a course completion certificate which, with the Enhanced CPD form, is GDC accepted evidence of the completion of verifiable CPD.
Affordable and Flexible Packages
Consisting of more than 300 training sessions on 13 dentistry subject areas, the e-Den dental course is the perfect resource to support the CPD of qualified dentists, dental hygienists, nurses, technicians and dental assistants.
To ensure affordability and the flexibility that busy dental professionals require, this online dental program is now available at £210 for a 12-month license or £70 for three months use. You can also buy individual Dental Course modules from just £25.
Begin your CPD online learning journey today with eIntegrity.
