Article
To All Subscribers who participate in Dental Update's CPD Programme
From the April 2015 issue we are changing the way we provide verifiable CPD. This is not because we want to irritate our subscribers, but feel it is time to modernize our programme and make sure we meet all the requirements and stipulations that the GDC are starting to demand.
We feel that if we keep the same format, then there will be more ‘grey areas’ in our programme, offering the GDC an excuse to reject the current certificates.
All we are doing differently is ensuring that we have a standard to abide by and clarifying all aims and objectives for our CPD programme. We are modernizing the certificate, making it clearer which papers and subjects you have read each month and the questions relating to those articles.
Dental Update still offers 4 hours of verifiable CPD in each issue. What is changing? You will only have to give one answer per question. The website will not allow you to give more than one.
The Certificate
We are also changing the certificate awarded. We are going to be more specific with what the participant has achieved.
It will give the title of every article that you have read and answered questions on, with the CPD aims and objectives and learning outcomes clearly visible on the certificate. It will clearly state the quality control of our programme.
There will be a different certificate produced every issue in which you have participated and not annually.
The Certificate is stored on the website in PDF format in your CPD portfolio section, so no change there. This can be downloaded monthly, or when and if required by yourself, providing the evidence of your participation to the GDC.
If you still do CPD by sending in the card, we will input your answer and your certificate will also be stored online as before, so no change there either.
If you require Dental Update to download your certificate, please just either email us or phone and we will send the certificate in the post.
Core subjects or highly recommended topics
These will be highlighted inside the journal and on the CPD questions. We will issue 1 hour of extra CPD for each topic and will state this on your certificate, along with the CPD relevance, title of the paper and author.
The certificate will change, showing the actual issue date (eg April 2015) rather than the volume number as before, making it specifically clear to the regulator when the actual participation of CPD occurred.
Your CPD certificate will NOT be issued if you fail to score over 50% for the questions of the related articles correctly.