The Dental Technologists Association
Our Vision
To advance standards within dental technology for the benefit of the oral healthcare of the nation by providing advice guidance and support to members. Raising awareness and promoting an exchange of views on key issues affecting the dental profession.
Key Objectives
- Develop and support members, and the dental technology profession.
- Encourage and promote education, including CPD.
- Forge links with other organizations.
- Promote views to relevant external organizations.
- Adopt and share best practice.
- Provide benefits and employment opportunities.
- Develop and maintain roles and responsibilities.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
The Dental Technologists Association (DTA) is committed to providing Continuing Professional Development for members, that is accessible and cost-effective.
How much CPD do you need to do?
You must complete, and keep records of, at least 150 hours of CPD over five years. Of the 150 hours, a minimum of 50 must be verifiable CPD, the balance is made up of general or non-verifiable CPD.
What is verifiable CPD?
To count as verifiable CPD, an activity must have:
- concise educational aims and objectives;
- clear anticipated outcomes; and
- quality controls (i.e. you should be given the opportunity to give feedback)
Additionally, you must get and keep a certificate (or other type of documentary proof) proving you took part in the activity. The certificate should come from the activity provider or organizer, and should show the number of hours you spent on the activity.
Whether the activity has quality controls and whether you’ll be able to get documentary proof of your attendance/participation are both matters of fact; either there is an opportunity to give feedback and documentary proof is provided, or not. But the questions of whether the activity has concise educational aims and objectives and clear anticipated outcomes are matters on which you must satisfy yourself, using your own professional judgement.
What is General CPD?
General CPD activities are those which contribute to your professional development as a dental care professional, but don’t meet all four of the criteria above for verifiable CPD. Examples might include journal reading and private study.
Recommended core CPD subjects
The GDC recommends that all dental care professionals carry out verifiable CPD in three core recommended subjects. The recommended core subjects and suggested minimum number of verifiable hours per CPD cycle that DCPs should spend on them are:
- medical emergencies (at least 10 hours per CPD cycle)
- disinfection and decontamination (at least 5 hours per CPD cycle)
- take protection with materials and equipment (at least 5 hours per CPD cycle).
It is recommended that all dental care professionals do CPD in medical emergencies every year. In addition, the GDC recommends that DCPs working in a clinical environment carry out CPD (verifiable or general) to make sure they are up to date in:
- legal and ethical issues
- handling complaints
- oral cancer – early detection
Examples of CPD
You might consider the following activities to count towards your CPD. The list is not exhaustive:
- Courses and lectures
- Vocational Training or General Professional Training study days
- Educational elements of professional and specialist society meetings
- Peer review and clinical audit
- Distance learning
- Multimedia learning
- Staff training
- Background research
- Private study
- Journal reading
- Attending conferences