Don’t Let the CPD Deadline Creep Up On You: 4 Simple Tips for Dental Nurses to Stay Ahead of Their CPD
The GDC annual CPD deadline is 31st July, and it comes around quicker than you think! You are permitted to submit zero hours in one year, but you’ll need to make up for it the following year by completing at least 10 hours, especially in your mandatory CPD subjects.
You can view a helpful visual of the two-year CPD cycle below taken from the GDC’s website.
Let’s explore 4 stress-saving CPD tips to keep you compliant and confident all year round:
1️⃣ Get Your PDP Done Early
Your Personal Development Plan (PDP) is the foundation of your CPD journey. Planning it at the start of your CPD year allows you to:
- Reflect on where you’re at in your career
- Identify areas you want to strengthen
- Set realistic timelines for completion
🎯 Tip: Break it down into quarterly goals to avoid last-minute cramming.
📝 Not sure where to start? Download the GDC’s PDP template or speak to your practice.
2️⃣ Know What Counts as Mandatory CPD
The GDC outlines core topics every dental professional should cover during their cycle. As a dental nurse, here are the minimum requirements:
- Medical Emergencies: 10 hours over each cycle (aim for 2 hours annually)
- Disinfection & Decontamination: 5 hours per cycle
- Radiography & Radiation Protection: 5 hours per cycle
🧠 Recommended CPD topics also include:
- Safeguarding (children & vulnerable adults)
- Oral cancer: early detection
- Legal & ethical issues
- Complaints handling
👉 Dental nurses must complete 50 hours of CPD over five years, with at least 10 hours every two years.
3️⃣ Take Advantage of Agilio – with a Free Subscription from Us!
You don’t need to spend a fortune to stay CPD-compliant. There are plenty of affordable and convenient platforms out there – and Agilio is one of the best for dental professionals.
🎓 Agilio iLearn CPD offers a wide range of GDC-compliant, verifiable CPD courses – all available online and accessible at your own pace.
💡 Top tip: If S4S Team is your sole employer, we’ll cover the cost of your Agilio CPD subscription as part of your locum benefits package. Just another way we invest in your growth. 💙
Benefits of Agilio CPD include:
- Courses across all mandatory and recommended topics
- Automated CPD logs & certificates
- Personal dashboard to track your progress
🧾 Already have access through us? Make sure you're using it regularly and logging your hours as you go!
4️⃣ Set Reminders & Reflect Regularly
It’s easy to lose track of your CPD hours when life gets busy. Use regular reminders to:
- Log your hours as you complete them
- Reflect on key learning points
- Update your PDP if your focus shifts
🔔 Try setting monthly check-ins using:
- Your phone calendar
- A planner or wall calendar
- Digital apps like Microsoft To Do or Apple Reminders
💬 Ask yourself:
“What did I learn this month that will help me in my role?”
5️⃣ Don’t Forget Your GDC Annual Renewal
Alongside completing your CPD hours, remember that your GDC annual renewal involves more than just logging learning.
To remain on the register and continue practising, you must:
✅ Pay your Annual Retention Fee (ARF)
✅ Ensure you have appropriate indemnity cover in place
✅ Complete your minimum CPD hours as required
💻 All of this can be managed via your eGDC account, where you can also check how many CPD hours are still outstanding.
Staying ahead of these steps ensures your registration remains in good standing – no last-minute panic necessary!
Final Thoughts 💬
CPD isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about becoming the best version of yourself as a dental nurse. By planning early, knowing your requirements, and making it manageable throughout the year, you’ll avoid that July panic and feel more in control of your professional development.
💬 Questions about CPD as a locum dental nurse? Speak to your S4S Team manager – we’re always here to support your growth.
Written by Jen Upton, Marketing & People Engagement Director at S4S Team
📢 Explore our current opportunities on our website: ➡️ Apply Now
📢 Check out our live vacancies on Indeed: ➡️ View Here
For more information, feel free to get in touch with us directly through phone, WhatsApp, or email. We are always available to assist with any queries you may have.
📞 Call, Text or WhatsApp: 0114 478 5870
📧 Meg 📍 South Yorkshire, East & West Midlands, Merseyside & North Lincolnshire: meg.marsden@s4steam.com
📧 Chloe 📍 West/North/East Yorkshire, North East, Greater Manchester & Lancashire: chloe.burton@s4steam.com
Learn more about becoming an S4S Team locum nurse: www.s4steam.com/for-dental-nurses
Subscribe to The S4S Times today on LinkedIn to stay connected and informed! Be the first to access exclusive content, including first releases of our latest series, actionable tips, and industry insights tailored to support your practice.
📩 Click below to join and never miss an update: