‘Grave concern’ over dental nurses’ CPD shortfall

Shocking GDC statistics show that 10% of registered dental nurses have not yet completed any CPD.

And according to records, only a third have fulfilled all their CPD requirements in preparation for the end of the first five-year CPD cycle next July.

Dental nurse and president of the British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN), Nicola Docherty, said: ‘This is a matter of grave concern. Dental nurses have to understand that completing 150 hours of CPD (50 of them verifiable CPD) is not optional – if you don’t do it, you could be removed from the Register and therefore no longer able to work as a dental nurse.

‘Being a registered professional carries with it professional responsibilities – and one of those is to complete the required amount of CPD.’

She added: ‘We’d like to think that the 34% who have already completed all their CPD are BADN members because BADN members are the more professional end of the dental nursing spectrum and do regard themselves as professionals, taking their professional responsibilities very seriously.’ 

‘Because we want to encourage dental nurses to attend the National Dental Nursing Conference – which this year is covering the core subjects of decontamination, radiography, oral cancer and medical emergencies, as well as how to manage the end of the CPD cycle, hypnotherapy, special care, and communication skills – we have decided to offer a free place at Conference to any BADN members who bring a non-member colleague with them.’

The 2012 National Dental Nursing Conference will be held on Saturday 24 November in Blackpool. Conference details are available at www.badn.org.uk/conference with a link to the online registration. Closing date for Conference registration is 9 November 2012.

 

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