DTA 

VERIFIABLE CPD

The DTA produce 20-25 hours of verifiable CPD annually that provides lifelong learning specific to dental technologists' needs free to all our members. We recommend that dental technicians complete at least 10 hours of CPD per cycle year and it is important to select CPD that is related to your specific field of practice and development goals. Our editorial team is working diligently to ensure that our CPD meets the GDC's quality criteria and we are in regular communication with regulators and stakeholders to incrementally improve the quality of our CPD and the professionalism of our dental technologist members and also the wider dental team.

The DTA's CPD incorporates all recommended topics, some examples listed below, and each are mapped to the GDC's learning outcomes.

• Technical areas of study
• Materials & equipment (dental technicians)
• Disinfection & decontamination
• Medical emergencies and CPR
• Oral cancer: early detection
• CPD on quality assurance for MHRA
• Communication
• Complaints handling
• Business management
• Team working
• Ethical and legal issues and developments
• Professional behaviours

All CPD is sent via DTA publications  The Technologist our flagship printed publication and Articulate a digital journal that often links to video content and other websites to provide a different style of learning. Our publications are also available to view online within the members' area. CPD is available online for a full calendar year from the publication date and at the point of registration, all new members will have access to 20+ CPD hours from previous issues. 

GDC update to CPD process

Changes have been made to the CPD scheme to make it easier for dental professionals to comply, particularly with the requirements for recording verifiable hours. The DTA has reviewed these changes made by the GDC and reassures our members that all of our CPD still meets the GDC's requirements. You will find this statement written on all CPD certificates moving forward:

"This verifiable continuing professional development has been provided by the Dental Technologists Association (DTA) and has been designed to meet the requirements of the General Dental Council's criteria for verifiable continuing professional development. We confirm that the information provided on this certificate is full and accurate and that all CPD provided by the DTA has been subject to quality assurance."

Grace Periods

Dental professionals need to complete their CPD activities before the end of each five-year cycle. If they will not be able to complete the requirements and they have good reason why they need more time, they can apply for a grace period, which can give them an additional 56 days.

Dental professionals must still request any grace periods via their eGDC  account or by email within the final six months of their CPD cycle. The fundamental requirements for CPD hours remain unchanged, maintaining the professions' high standards of ongoing education.

LOG BOOK AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (PDP)

All members have a personalised online portal to complete CPD activities, a personal development plan template and a log book that automatically updates and records CPD certificates and reflection. An important part of ECPD is that all registrants reflect on their learning and so, we have introduced a series of reflection questions at the end of each activity to facilitate this. In addition, each member can upload external CPD certificates to save all CPD activity in one place and be able to view total hours for the cycle year.

Read more about what is required of registrant dental technologists  by the GDC.