Continuing professional development helps dental nurses maintain their knowledge, update practical skills and respond safely to changes in dentistry.

For registered dental nurses, CPD is also a formal requirement of maintaining registration with the General Dental Council. It is not enough to attend occasional training sessions or collect certificates without reviewing whether the activities meet the GDC’s requirements.

Dental nurses must complete the required number of verifiable CPD hours, maintain a personal development plan, keep an accurate activity log, retain supporting evidence and submit a CPD statement every year.

Understanding each part of the process can help dental nurses avoid gaps in their records and ensure that their professional development genuinely supports their role.

How Many CPD Hours Do Dental Nurses Need?

Registered dental nurses must complete at least 50 hours of verifiable CPD during each five-year CPD cycle.

The 50 hours are a minimum requirement rather than a recommended maximum. Some dental nurses may complete more where this is relevant to their role, additional responsibilities or intended career development.

All hours declared to the GDC must be verifiable. Dental nurses may still undertake informal or non-verifiable learning, but those activities cannot be included within the number of hours submitted to meet the formal requirement.

The 10 Hours in Two Years Rule

Dental nurses do not have to complete the same number of CPD hours every year.

They must, however, complete at least 10 hours of verifiable CPD during every two consecutive CPD years. This is sometimes referred to as the “10 in two” rule.

For example, a dental nurse who completes three hours in one year must complete at least seven hours during the following year.

A dental nurse can declare zero hours for one CPD year, but they must then complete at least 10 hours in the next year. Two consecutive zero-hour years would not meet the requirement.

The rule also continues across the boundary between two five-year cycles. A dental nurse moving from the final year of one cycle into the first year of the next must still ensure that at least 10 hours have been completed across those two consecutive years.

When the Dental Nurse CPD Year Runs

The CPD year for dental care professionals, including dental nurses, runs from 1 August to 31 July.

CPD completed on or after 1 August belongs to the new CPD year and cannot be counted towards the year that ended on 31 July.

Dental nurses must submit their annual CPD statement by 28 August.

In 2026, dental care professionals must complete the CPD statement through MyGDC, the online service that replaced eGDC in March 2026.

New Registrants and Their First CPD Cycle

A newly registered dental nurse does not normally begin their first CPD cycle partway through the current CPD year.

The first cycle begins on the following 1 August. For example, dental care professionals registered during the 12 months before August 2026 begin their first cycle on 1 August 2026.

Newly registered dental nurses should check MyGDC to confirm their personal cycle dates and the number of hours required.

The first year of a dental nurse’s first cycle receives particular treatment under the 10-hours-in-two-years requirement, but the full five-year minimum must still be completed by the end of the cycle.

What Makes CPD Verifiable?

An activity is not automatically verifiable simply because it was delivered by a recognised training organisation.

The dental nurse must obtain evidence containing the information required by the GDC.

The certificate, email or other supporting document should include:

• the subject and learning content;

• the aims and objectives;

• the relevant GDC development outcome or outcomes;

• the date the activity was completed;

• the number of CPD hours;

• the participant’s name;

• confirmation that the activity was quality assured;

• the name of the person or organisation responsible for quality assurance; and

• confirmation that the information supplied is complete and accurate.

Dental nurses should check that a provider can supply suitable evidence before paying for or completing a course.

A certificate stating only the course title and duration may not contain enough information to demonstrate that the activity meets the verifiable CPD criteria.

Your GDC Registration Number Is Not Required on Every Certificate

Following changes introduced in 2025, a dental professional’s GDC registration number is no longer a mandatory element of a verifiable CPD certificate.

The certificate must still identify the person who completed the activity and contain the remaining information required to verify it.

Dental nurses should not reject an otherwise compliant certificate merely because it does not display their registration number.

They must nevertheless ensure that their name is recorded correctly and that the evidence can clearly be linked to them.

What Your CPD Record Must Include

A complete CPD record consists of three principal components:

• a personal development plan;

• an activity log showing completed CPD; and

• documentary evidence for each verifiable activity.

The GDC also encourages dental professionals to reflect on the learning they complete and record those reflections within their activity log.

The number of hours shown in the activity log and supporting certificates should match the number declared through MyGDC.

Keeping only a collection of certificates without an activity log and PDP does not provide a complete CPD record.

Creating a Personal Development Plan

A personal development plan, commonly called a PDP, identifies the knowledge and skills a dental nurse intends to maintain or develop during their CPD cycle.

The plan should connect professional learning with the nurse’s current or intended field of practice.

A compliant PDP should include:

• the CPD activities the dental nurse plans to undertake;

• the professional need each activity is intended to address;

• the relevant GDC development outcomes; and

• the expected timeframe for completing the activity.

The PDP is not intended to remain unchanged throughout the entire five-year cycle.

A dental nurse’s duties may change, new responsibilities may be introduced or an appraisal may identify a previously unrecognised learning need. The plan should be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary.

Identifying Useful Learning Needs

A PDP should be based on the dental nurse’s actual role rather than being created solely to satisfy an administrative requirement.

Learning needs may be identified through:

• workplace appraisals;

• changes to clinical responsibilities;

• patient feedback;

• complaints;

• audits;

• peer review;

• significant events;

• new equipment or procedures;

• changes to professional guidance; and

• plans for career progression.

For example, a dental nurse beginning work in an implant practice may identify a need for additional knowledge of surgical procedures and implant components.

A senior dental nurse responsible for decontamination audits may require development in infection prevention, leadership and record management.

The GDC encourages dental professionals to use appraisals, feedback, audits and significant-event analysis when identifying appropriate learning needs.

Linking CPD to GDC Development Outcomes

Every verifiable CPD activity should link to at least one of the GDC’s development outcomes.

These outcomes group learning into broad areas of professional development.

Development Outcome A covers effective communication with patients, the dental team and other professionals.

Development Outcome B relates to effective management, leadership and teamwork.

Development Outcome C covers maintaining and developing knowledge and skills within the dental professional’s field of practice.

Development Outcome D relates to maintaining skills, behaviours and attitudes that support patient confidence in the dental profession.

The CPD provider should state the anticipated development outcomes on the certificate or supporting evidence.

The dental nurse should also record the relevant outcomes in their activity log and PDP.

Keeping an Accurate Activity Log

The activity log is the ongoing record of CPD completed during the cycle.

It should include enough information to connect each activity with the relevant certificate and PDP objective.

A practical activity-log entry may record:

• the activity title;

• the completion date;

• the provider;

• the number of verifiable hours;

• the development outcomes;

• the learning need addressed;

• a brief reflection; and

• any further action required.

The log should be updated soon after completing the activity.

Leaving all record-keeping until the end of the CPD year increases the risk of lost certificates, forgotten activities and differences between the hours completed and those declared.

Reflecting on Completed CPD

Reflection involves considering what was learned and how it may affect professional practice.

It does not need to be a lengthy essay.

A useful reflection might explain:

• what the dental nurse learned;

• whether the activity met the original learning need;

• how the learning will be applied;

• whether a workplace procedure should change;

• whether further training is needed; and

• what benefit the learning may provide to patients or colleagues.

The GDC’s enhanced CPD model follows a process of planning, completing, reflecting on and recording professional development.

The GDC does not routinely request personal written reflections when investigating an unrelated concern, although a registrant may choose to provide them as evidence of professional insight.

Recommended CPD Topics for Dental Nurses

The GDC identifies several topics that are likely to be relevant to most dental professionals.

Medical emergencies are highly recommended, with at least 10 hours suggested during each five-year cycle and at least two hours every year.

The GDC also recommends at least five hours of disinfection and decontamination training during each cycle.

Where a dental nurse undertakes radiography, at least five hours of radiography and radiation-protection CPD is recommended.

Other recommended subjects include:

• legal and ethical issues;

• complaints handling;

• oral cancer and early detection;

• safeguarding children and young people; and

• safeguarding vulnerable adults.

These are recommended topics rather than a complete list of suitable CPD.

Dental nurses should also select learning relevant to their particular work, which may include orthodontics, sedation, implants, special care, oral health education, information governance or leadership.

Medical Emergencies CPD

Medical emergency training is particularly important because a patient’s condition can change unexpectedly during dental treatment.

Dental nurses should remain familiar with:

• recognising common medical emergencies;

• summoning appropriate assistance;

• basic life support;

• the location and preparation of emergency equipment;

• team responsibilities;

• recording the incident; and

• reviewing what happened afterwards.

The GDC recommends at least two hours of medical-emergency CPD every year, contributing to at least 10 hours over the five-year cycle.

A dental practice may also require regular practical training beyond the minimum CPD recommendation.

Disinfection and Decontamination CPD

Dental nurses often have substantial responsibility for infection prevention and instrument decontamination.

Training should remain relevant to the systems and equipment used in the workplace.

Suitable CPD may address:

• instrument-cleaning procedures;

• sterilisation;

• surgery disinfection;

• personal protective equipment;

• safe movement of contaminated instruments;

• equipment testing;

• waterline management;

• record-keeping; and

• responding to a breach in procedure.

The GDC recommends at least five hours of disinfection and decontamination CPD during each five-year cycle.

A dental nurse taking responsibility for infection-control audits may need substantially more development than the recommended minimum.

Radiography and Radiation Protection

Dental nurses who take radiographs or work regularly with radiographic equipment must maintain appropriate knowledge and competence.

Relevant CPD may include:

• radiation protection;

• patient identification;

• quality assurance;

• image evaluation;

• equipment operation;

• legal responsibilities; and

• responding to errors or unintended exposures.

The GDC recommends at least five hours of radiography and radiation-protection CPD during the cycle for dental professionals who undertake radiography.

Dental nurses who do not take radiographs should still understand the responsibilities applying to the tasks they perform around radiographic procedures.

CPD Relevant to Additional Duties

A dental nurse’s CPD should reflect any additional skills or specialist responsibilities they perform.

Examples may include:

• dental radiography;

• fluoride varnish application;

• oral health education;

• implant dental nursing;

• orthodontic dental nursing;

• sedation nursing;

• special care dentistry;

• safeguarding leadership;

• infection-control auditing;

• trainee supervision; and

• practice management.

Completing only general courses may not be enough to maintain competence in a specialist role.

The PDP should identify the knowledge needed for every significant area of the nurse’s current or intended practice.

Can Online CPD Count?

Online CPD can count towards the GDC requirement where it is relevant, verifiable and supported by compliant evidence.

The method of delivery does not determine whether the activity is acceptable.

An online course should still have clear aims, learning content, development outcomes, identified hours and a quality-assurance process.

Dental nurses should be cautious about websites that issue certificates immediately without meaningful learning, participation or assessment.

The individual remains responsible for ensuring that the activity genuinely contributes to their professional development and meets the verifiable CPD requirements.

Can Overseas Training Count?

Learning completed outside the UK can count where it meets the GDC’s requirements and is verifiable.

Where an overseas provider records learning in points or credits rather than hours, the dental nurse will need evidence showing the equivalent number of CPD hours.

The certificate should still contain the information needed to verify the activity.

A course does not become unsuitable simply because it was delivered by an overseas provider, but the dental nurse must be able to demonstrate that it is relevant to their professional practice.

Can Peer Review Count?

Peer review can count where it has been structured as verifiable CPD.

The activity should have defined learning aims, relevant development outcomes and an appropriate method of confirming participation and quality assurance.

Where a conventional certificate is unavailable, the GDC provides a verifiable CPD mapping document that may be used alongside a detailed account of the completed activity.

An informal conversation with a colleague would not automatically qualify simply because professional matters were discussed.

Activities That Cannot Be Counted

Normal workplace duties cannot be counted as CPD simply because they involve professional knowledge.

Assisting with a procedure, completing the daily decontamination process or attending an ordinary staff meeting will not automatically create verifiable CPD hours.

Delivering CPD to other people also cannot generally be counted because the presenter is using knowledge they already possess rather than undertaking new learning.

Preparation or related study may potentially count where it has been structured as a separate verifiable learning activity and meets all the necessary criteria.

Dental nurses should not declare an activity unless they can show how it meets the GDC requirements.

Submitting the Annual CPD Statement

Every registered dental nurse must make a CPD statement each year, including a year in which they completed no CPD.

The statement is made through MyGDC and confirms:

• the number of CPD hours completed during that CPD year;

• that the dental nurse has read and understood the CPD requirements;

• that the hours were completed during the relevant year;

• that a CPD record has been maintained;

• that the activity was relevant to the dental nurse’s field of practice; and

• that the information submitted is complete and accurate.

A zero-hour statement is permitted, but the dental nurse must still comply with the requirement to complete at least 10 hours during every two consecutive years.

Rounding the Annual Total

MyGDC requires the annual total to be submitted in whole hours.

The individual certificates should not be rounded separately.

After adding all completed activities together, a remainder of 30 minutes or more is rounded up to the next whole hour. A remainder of 29 minutes or less is rounded down.

For example, an annual total of 8 hours and 35 minutes would be declared as nine hours.

An annual total of 8 hours and 20 minutes would be declared as eight hours.

The activity log and certificates should retain the actual duration of each activity.

Completing the End-of-Cycle Statement

At the end of the five-year cycle, the dental nurse must make an end-of-cycle statement.

This confirms the total number of CPD hours completed during the cycle and that:

• the required CPD record has been maintained;

• the activities were relevant to the nurse’s field of practice; and

• the information provided is full and accurate.

The dental nurse should review their total well before the final deadline.

Discovering a substantial shortage during the last few weeks of the cycle can make it difficult to find meaningful learning that meets the outstanding requirements.

CPD During Maternity Leave or a Career Break

The CPD requirement is linked to maintaining GDC registration rather than remaining in employment.

A dental nurse who takes maternity leave, a career break or another period away from practice must continue meeting the CPD requirements where they choose to remain registered.

They may submit a zero-hour statement for one year, but the 10-hours-in-two-years rule continues to apply.

Online CPD may provide a practical option during an absence from work, although any learning should still be relevant to the nurse’s current or intended field of practice.

A returning dental nurse may also need additional training or supervised practice before resuming duties that have not been performed for an extended period.

Dental Nurses Registered Under More Than One Title

Some dental professionals are registered under more than one GDC title.

Where different titles carry different minimum CPD requirements, the registrant must complete at least the number of hours required for the title with the highest requirement.

The activities undertaken must remain relevant to the individual’s field of practice under every title they hold.

For example, someone registered as both a dental nurse and dental hygienist would follow the higher five-year requirement applying to dental hygienists rather than completing separate full totals for each title.

Their PDP should still address learning needs arising from both professional roles.

Applying for a Grace Period

A grace period may be available where a dental nurse reaches the final year of their five-year cycle and has a valid reason for needing additional time to complete the required hours.

The application can be made during the final six months of the cycle and must be made before the normal cycle deadline.

Where approved, the grace period provides an additional 56 days, or eight weeks, to complete the outstanding CPD.

A grace period is not automatic and cannot normally be requested retrospectively after the deadline has passed.

It also does not postpone the beginning of the next five-year cycle.

Dental nurses should not treat a grace period as part of their normal CPD planning.

Keeping CPD Records After the Cycle Ends

CPD records must be retained for five years after the end of the relevant five-year cycle.

This includes the PDP, activity log and certificates or other documentary evidence.

Records should be backed up securely rather than stored only on a workplace computer or training provider’s website.

A dental nurse may change employer, lose access to an online learning platform or find that a provider no longer holds older certificates.

Keeping personal electronic copies can prevent evidence from being lost when employment or training arrangements change.

CPD Audits and Sampling

The GDC does not normally ask dental nurses to send their full CPD record when making the annual declaration.

It may, however, request the record where:

• a registrant is applying for restoration;

• an annual statement was not submitted;

• there appears to have been non-compliance; or

• the registrant has been selected for a random audit.

The GDC can audit records during the current cycle and for up to five years after a completed cycle.

A dental nurse selected for sampling may be asked to provide their PDP, activity log and supporting evidence.

Records should therefore be maintained as the cycle progresses rather than created only after an audit request arrives.

What Happens If CPD Requirements Are Not Met?

Failing to complete the required hours or submit a compliant statement can place a dental nurse’s registration at risk.

A dental care professional who misses the CPD statement deadline or does not meet the applicable requirements may be removed from the GDC register and would no longer be able to practise legally as a registered dental nurse.

Restoration requires a separate application and fee and may involve submitting evidence of completed CPD.

The consequences can also affect employment, income and the practice’s ability to maintain safe staffing.

Dental nurses should contact the GDC promptly where they identify an access problem, incorrect declaration or possible compliance issue rather than waiting until the deadline has passed.

Common CPD Record-Keeping Mistakes

Problems often arise when dental nurses:

• count non-verifiable activities towards the required hours;

• fail to check that certificates contain the necessary information;

• keep certificates but no activity log or PDP;

• declare hours completed after 31 July in the previous CPD year;

• forget to submit an annual statement after completing zero hours;

• misunderstand the 10-hours-in-two-years rule;

• wait until the fifth year to complete most of their CPD;

• lose access to certificates after changing employer;

• select activities unrelated to their actual field of practice;

• overlook CPD needed for additional clinical duties; or

• assume that an employer is responsible for making the GDC declaration.

An employer may provide training and administrative support, but responsibility for CPD compliance ultimately remains with the registered dental nurse.

A Practical Annual CPD Routine

A simple annual routine can make CPD easier to manage.

At the beginning of the CPD year, review your PDP and identify the most important learning needs.

During the year, check that each provider will issue suitable evidence before beginning an activity.

After completing CPD:

• save the certificate;

• enter the activity into your log;

• record the development outcomes;

• add a short reflection;

• update the PDP where necessary; and

• keep a backup copy of the evidence.

Before 31 July, total the hours completed and check whether the 10-hours-in-two-years rule has been met.

Before 28 August, log in to MyGDC and submit an accurate annual statement.

Using CPD to Support Career Development

CPD should do more than protect registration.

It can help a dental nurse prepare for senior responsibilities, specialist practice or a post-registration qualification.

A nurse interested in radiography might begin with radiation-protection training before discussing a formal qualification with their employer.

Someone hoping to progress into practice management may include leadership, complaints handling and regulatory compliance within their PDP.

A dental nurse supporting trainee colleagues may benefit from learning about supervision, feedback and workplace assessment.

Planning CPD around a realistic career direction makes the time invested more valuable and easier to apply in practice.

Maintaining a Reliable CPD Record

Meeting the dental nurse CPD requirement involves more than reaching 50 hours by the end of five years.

Registered dental nurses must spread their learning appropriately, complete at least 10 hours during every two consecutive years, maintain a PDP, record completed activities and retain suitable evidence.

They must also submit an annual statement even when no CPD was completed during that year.

A reliable system of planning, recording and reviewing CPD helps prevent administrative problems while ensuring that professional learning remains relevant to patients, colleagues and the dental nurse’s future career.

By keeping records up to date throughout the cycle, dental nurses can approach annual renewal with confidence and use CPD as a meaningful part of maintaining safe and effective professional practice.

If you are ready for a new career in healthcare, contact North London Dental Centre and ask about dental nurse training in London.

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