This article delves into the existing pitfalls, examines the current stance of the General Dental Council (GDC), and explores proposed changes to dental CPD regulations that could pave the way for a more practical and supportive approach.
The Strain on Dental Practices
The dental profession, already under immense pressure due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, witnessed a significant drop in dental nurses renewing their registrations. This decline has strained dental practices, making it challenging to maintain adequate staffing levels and deliver essential dental care to patients. Addressing the backlog of cases has proven especially burdensome for dental nurses, who are integral to the smooth functioning of a dental practice.
However, dental nurses, like everyone else, have personal lives with commitments, from raising children to navigating various daily struggles. Balancing work and personal responsibilities can become a delicate juggling act, particularly when faced with the demanding requirements of CPD.
Effects on Various Stakeholders
Impact on Mental Health
For dental nurses removed from the register, the inability to work becomes a source of tremendous stress, especially for those with families and other commitments. The process of getting back on the register is lengthy, potentially taking months. Financial complications further exacerbate the challenges for the individuals directly affected and their families.
Impact on Dental Practices
The abrupt loss of a dental nurse puts immense strain on the dental practice, risking understaffing and placing additional pressure on remaining team members. In an era where retention and recruitment are already challenging, such events only worsen the situation for affected practices.
Identifying Shortfalls in CPD Compliance
Dentistry, in an effort to shed light on the reasons behind dental nurses falling short of CPD requirements, has identified several contributing factors:
- Lack of Awareness: Newly qualified dental nurses may not be fully aware of CPD requirements during their initial months of practice. Navigating the dental world and improving clinical skills often take precedence over CPD in the early stages. Some practices with group CPD accounts provide support and reminders, but this isn't a universal practice.
- Unexpected Events: Unforeseen life events, such as the loss of a family member, illness, or personal crises, can disrupt CPD plans. The time-consuming nature of these situations makes it challenging to set aside dedicated time for CPD completion.
- Certificate Requirements: GDC mandates specific details on certificates, and those from large organisations like the NHS are not always accepted. This discrepancy leaves registrants losing out on hours, emphasising the importance of verifying course provider requirements.
- Cost of CPDs: Newly qualified dental nurses face financial challenges in sourcing and completing CPDs. The additional cost, often not covered by employers, poses a hurdle, especially when suitable free courses are scarce.
Dental CPD regulations- One Size Does Not Fit All
The current system appears to paint all registrants with the same brush, lacking flexibility for individual circumstances. A more practical and supportive framework should be implemented, considering the unique challenges each dental professional faces.
GDC's Current Stance and Proposed Changes to the dental CPD regulations
The GDC currently offers a grace period on an individual basis, accessible only in the final six months of the CPD cycle. However, this grace period does not apply to the first four years of the cycle, leaving registrants at risk if they fall short of CPD requirements in earlier years.
In response to these challenges, the SavingGrace campaign has gained momentum, advocating for changes in CPD regulations. The proposed changes include:
- Mandatory Grace Period: A mandatory two-week grace period for all dental care professionals following the CPD submission deadline.
- Additional Hours Allowance: Allowing registrants who fall short by three hours or less to complete those hours within the grace period.
- Enhanced Reminders: GDC to send three additional reminders during the grace period to dental care professionals who have not re-registered, are short of CPD hours, or have not made a CPD statement.
Toward Greater Practicality and Support
The current CPD regulations demand a re-evaluation, with a call for greater practicality and support for registrants. In a field that values personalised care for patients, extending the same ethos to dental care professionals seems not only logical but also essential for the well-being of the dental community.
As the conversation around CPD regulations continues, the dental profession strives to uphold its commitment to both patient care and the professional development of its valuable team members. The proposed changes signal a step toward a more compassionate and adaptable framework, aligning with the ethos of personalised care that dentistry champions. The journey toward positive change is underway, fuelled by the voices of those directly impacted and the collective push for a more supportive and practical approach to CPD in dentistry.