Dental Tribune UK Edition, October 11-17, 2010, No.25 Vol.4

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UKP00220 S ince August 1 2008, the Gen- eral Dental Council (GDC) requires all dental care pro- fessionals (DCPs), whose name was on the GDC register on or after July 31 2008, to undertake a programme of continuing profes- sional development (CPD). This is so DCPs keep up to date with current practices and procedures, and also to make sure that best practice is observed and main- tained. This is a compulsory re- quirement for any registered DCP. The current legislation states that 150 hours of CPD has to be undertaken within a five-year pe- riod. Fifty of those hours have to be verifiable by a third party. Verifiable CPD may only be classed as verifiable, pro- viding it has met the educa- tional criteria requested by the GDC. Within these, 20 hours must be undertaken in the core subjects: • Medical Emergencies (10 hours per CPD cycle) • Disinfection and Contamina- tion (five hours per CPD cycle) • Radiography & Radiation Pro- tection(fivehoursperCPDcycle) Verifiable CPD can be gained from other forms of learning activity providing the following criteria are met: • Clear anticipated outcomes • Concise educational aims and objectives • An evaluation feedback form Issuing CPD certificates The practice I work for holds annual team training days. Dur- ing these days, we try to incor- porate two of the core subjects, which are delivered by an appro- priate training company. This is followed by a learning activity, which fulfils the criteria set by the GDC to enable the practice to issue verifiable certificates for the time duration specific to the training. During this day, we will also hold our annual appraisals at which point a Personal De- velopment Plan is produced. I then ask for evidence of CPD for the past year and give them a CPD folder for the coming year, which includes a study folder containing verifiable CPD with multiple choice an- swers a chart to record verifi- able and non-verifiable CPD, ensuring that all their evidence of non-verifiable CPD is saved. This I feel is a win-win situation. The practice knows that the requirements are be- ing met, plus the DCP gains the appropriate hours, and can rest assured they have fulfilled the criteria. I aim to hold this training day as near to August 1 as pos- sible, my reasons being all staff are aware of the training day and will have been asked to produce evidence that their GDC renewal for registration has been paid for the coming year. Gaining new knowledge Dental receptionists and prac- tice managers are not required to complete CPD; however, for a person to develop, it is still im- portant to gain new knowledge. Our receptionists collect their own CPD and record articles they have read on subjects rel- evant to their position. Although this is not com- pulsory, it provides develop- ment. The majority of our staff, including the nurses, have tak- en courses on customer care, while senior receptionists have learned about leadership. Care nurse co-ordinator is the path that one of our oral health educators has taken. From a financial aspect, this is the role that has created rev- enue. The private income in- creased by 30 per cent in the first six months. Both oral health educators have taken the Fluo- ride Application Course. Managing risk Health and safety/risk assess- ment in the dental practice are both essential factors that we all should be more aware of. Courses for both can be held in-house via an appropriate trainer. An insight to legisla- tion concerning Health & Safe- ty in my opinion is a valuable training area for all dental team members. First Aid is a requirement and each dental practice must have its own qualified first aider. These certificates last for three years, but must be retaken before expiry of certifi- cation. This is usually a three- day course, and it’s a good idea to have two qualified members, which will allow for holidays and time off. Fire ma shall train- ing is another useful course, but it is not compulsory. I went down the Diploma in Dental Practice Management route, followed by a further two diplomas continuing to gain the assessors award. It might be a bind but team training is an essential part to ensure a successful business. DT Keeping up appearances Training your staff might be a bind, but it is an essential part of making sure your business becomes, and remains, successful, says Jane Armitage About the author Jane Armitage is an award-winning practice manager and has almost 40 years industry experience. She is currently a prac- tice manager for Thompson & Tho- mas, and holds a Vocational Asses- sors award. She is also a BDA Good Practice Assessor, BDA Good Practice Regional Consult- ant, and has a BDA Certificate of Merit for services to the profession. She has her own company, JA Team Training, offering a practice management con- sultancy service, which includes on- site assistance covering all aspects of practice management with a pathway if required for managers to take their qualification in dental practice man- agement. To get in touch, contact 01142 343346. ‘Dental receptionists and practice managers are not required to complete CPD; however, for a person to develop, it is still important to gain new knowledge’ Knowledge is a valuable asset for all members of your practice