Column From the chairside with Alison McKenzie
Get organised for 2013 I
t doesn’t seem that long ago that my first article for this magazine was published on the subject of registra- tion, and now we appear to have arrived full circle as the subject is
upon us again. For some dental nurses, 31 July may
represent the necessary juggling of budgets to make way for the annual reten- tion fee or for others the rush to search out extra CPD as a final addition to their end of the year declaration. So, now is the time to make sure all
personal details are up to date with the General Dental Council (GDC) to ensure that any information on this subject is received in plenty of time. The easiest way to do this is by accessing its website, where details can be checked or changed and direct debit forms completed in order that the payment date will not be missed. Remember that CPD hours should be
declared annually. So far, almost 6,000 registrants have failed to declare any (GDC Gazette – spring 2012). The major difference this year for dental nurses who registered in 2008 is that they are nearing the end of their five-year CPD cycle in 2013. This includes me and 41,499 other dental professionals. It is easy to allow CPD commitments to slip – it was only after reading the ERS research survey on attitudes towards continuing profes- sional development (available on the GDC website) that I was encouraged to check my own CPD portfolio, and finally completed the piled articles on my desk. Dental nurses are now required to
complete 150 hours of CPD and this must include 50 verifiable hours, with the remainder non-verifiable. The recom- mended core subjects include medical emergencies, radiography and radiation protection, disinfection and decontami- nation. Also recommended are legal and ethical subjects and customer handling. All certificates and completion of CPD
evidence should be logged in the form of a portfolio which should be kept for five years after the end of the cycle in which
“CPD hours should be declared annually. So far, almost 6,000 registrants have failed to declare any so far”
they were completed, as dental nurses may be asked to produce it for a random GDC audit. It is important that we complete regis-
tration and CPD requirements on time, otherwise we risk losing our registration and the ability to work as dental care professionals. The procedure to reapply
to get back on to the register will take time and, in addition, there is an added restora- tion fee on top of the ARF fee, each affecting the employer and dental professional. Despite the added responsibilities and
costs, the combined registration, annual retention fee and continuing professional development is a small price to pay. Regis- tration not only allows us to be recognised as dental care professionals, but the CPD portfolio and five-year cycle also serves as a personal development plan and a record of training showing a commitment to increase skills and knowledge which benefit not only the practice and dental nurse, but, more importantly, increases standards and patient confidence.
Scottish Dental magazine 23
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