- Requirements
- United Kingdom
- GDC · Dental care professionals
GDC · General Dental Council · UK
GDC CPD requirements for dental care professionals, in plain English
Short answers first, detail after, source at the bottom. Written to be read on a phone at work.
The rule in one sentence
Dental care professionals must complete a set number of verifiable CPD hours over a five-year cycle (75 for hygienists, therapists, orthodontic therapists and clinical dental technicians; 50 for dental nurses and dental technicians), with at least 10 hours in any two-year period, a personal development plan, and a CPD statement at every annual renewal.
Last verified by RiverCPD team
Source: gdc-uk.org →- Volume
- 75 or 50 verifiable hrs · 5 yrs · statement by 28 Aug
- Cycle
- Five-year cycle
- Deadline
- 28 August, at your annual renewal
- Audit
- Random and targeted, at any point in a cycle
- RiverCPD
- Coming soon
How many hours of CPD do I need?
Short answerOver each five-year cycle: dental therapists, hygienists, orthodontic therapists and clinical dental technicians 75 verifiable hours; dental nurses and dental technicians 50. If you hold more than one title you meet the higher figure. You must also complete at least 10 verifiable hours in any consecutive two-year period.
| Title | Verifiable hours over five years |
|---|---|
| Dental hygienists, dental therapists, orthodontic therapists, clinical dental technicians | 75 |
| Dental nurses, dental technicians | 50 |
At least 10 verifiable hours in any two consecutive years.
What counts as CPD?
Short answerOnly verifiable CPD counts: activities with documented aims, anticipated GDC development outcomes (A–D), a quality-assurance confirmation and provider evidence showing subject, date, hours and your name. CPD must be relevant to your field of practice and planned through a PDP. Highly recommended topics: medical emergencies, disinfection and decontamination, radiography.
What happens if I'm audited?
Short answerAudits can happen at any time during a cycle and up to five years after the CPD was completed, so keep your PDP, activity log and certificates for five years beyond the cycle end. If selected, you submit the record for the completed part of the cycle. The GDC may request more information and can refuse evidence it is not satisfied with.
When is the deadline?
Short answerYou make a CPD statement with every annual renewal through MyGDC, even in a year with zero hours, by 28 August. MyGDC opens about six weeks before year end. If you cannot finish a cycle, a grace period of up to 56 days may be granted if requested in the cycle's final six months.
Source and verification
Verification
Last verified by RiverCPD team
Re-checked when the regulator publishes a change.