More than 1,800 dentists are yet to make their CPD statement, the GDC has revealed.
As the CPD deadline approaches, hundreds of dental professionals have not yet made their annual or end-of-cycle CPD statement.
In addition, a significant majority are able to make a ‘zero hours’ CPD statement for 2020. For example, this stands at 83% for annual statements and 67% for end-of-cycle statements.
With a deadline of Thursday 28 January 2021, the regulator is urging teams to make their statement as soon as they can.
Real concern
Gurvinder Soomal is GDC executive director for registration and corporate resources.
‘This year has been extremely challenging for dental professionals. We know that access to CPD will have been hindered by COVID-19,’ he said.
‘We have reassured professionals whose CPD has been affected by the pandemic that those with a shortfall will not be penalised.
‘But dentists do still need to make a CPD statement as part of the renewal process. With so many yet to do so, this is a real concern. Our records also show that most are in the position to make a zero-hours statement, and so there really is no reason for registration to be put at risk.
‘To dentists I say, if you are not certain that your statement has been made, check your record on eGDC today.’
Fear of investigation
This comes as two in five dentists reveal they fear GDC investigation in the face of the pandemic.
According to a survey by Dental Protection, two fifths (40%) of the profession reported this fear as having the biggest effect on their mental health.
This marks a 33% jump from when participants answered the same question in May.
As a result, it sparked calls for the GDC and the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) to take action.
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