The General Dental Council (Continuing Professional Development) (Dentists) Rules Order of Council 2008

Interpretation

2.  In these rules—

“the Act” means the Dentists Act 1984;

“CPD” means continuing professional development which—

(a)

comprises lectures, seminars, courses, individual study or other activities undertaken by a dentist or an applicant for restoration to the register under rule 11;

(b)

can reasonably be expected to advance a person’s professional development as a dentist; and

(c)

is relevant to the person’s practice or intended practice;

“CPD cycle” means a period of five years beginning:

(a)

in the case of a dentist who is first registered on or after 1st January 2002, on the next occurring 1st January;

(b)

in the case of a dentist who is first registered during the period 1st January 1990 to 31st December 2001 and is on the register at 31st December 2001, on 1st January 2002;

(c)

in the case of a dentist who is first registered during the period 1st January 1990 to 31st December 2001 and is not on the register at 31st December 2001, on 1st January 2003;

(d)

in the case of a dentist who is first registered during the period 1st January 1980 to 31st December 1989, on 1st January 2003; and

(e)

in the case of a dentist who is first registered on or before 31st December 1979, on 1st January 2004;

and each subsequent period of five years;

“CPD requirement” means the requirement that every dentist shall complete at least 250 hours of CPD during a CPD cycle, of which at least 75 hours shall be verifiable CPD;

“CPD year” means a period of 12 months beginning on 1st January in any calendar year;

“dentist” means a registered dentist(1);

“period of grace” means a period of six months, after the end of a CPD cycle, during which a dentist may complete any outstanding CPD due in respect of the previous CPD cycle in accordance with an undertaking given under rule 8(1) or (3);

“register” has the meaning given in section 53 of the Act and “registered” shall be construed accordingly;

“verifiable CPD” means CPD for which there is documentary evidence that —

(a)

the dentist has undertaken the CPD; and

(b)

the CPD has—

(i)

concise educational aims and objectives;

(ii)

clear anticipated outcomes; and

(iii)

quality controls.

(1)

“Registered dentist” is defined in section 53 of the Act to mean a person for the time being registered in the register.