# Dentist CPD requirements: United Kingdom

> Dentists in the United Kingdom: At least 100 hours of verifiable CPD per five-year cycle, at least 10 hours in every two-year period.

Source: https://hajto.de/en/tools/cpd-requirements-by-country/united-kingdom  
Last updated: 2026-10-17T16:10:33Z  
German version: https://hajto.de/fortbildungspflicht/united-kingdom.md

- **Authority:** General Dental Council (GDC)
- **Applies to:** Dentists; other registrants have different hour requirements
- **As of:** 17 October 2026

## Requirement

At least 100 hours of verifiable CPD per five-year cycle, at least 10 hours in every two-year period

> "dentists need to do a minimum of 100 hours"  
> Source: [CPD scheme](https://www.gdc-uk.org/education-cpd/cpd/cpd-scheme), General Dental Council, read on 17 October 2026

> "completing a minimum of 10 hours of CPD in every two-year period"  
> Source: [CPD scheme](https://www.gdc-uk.org/education-cpd/cpd/cpd-scheme), General Dental Council, read on 17 October 2026

## Period / cycle

The first cycle starts at the start of the first full year of registration; CPD years for dentists run from 1 January to 31 December.

> "You will start your first CPD cycle at the start of your first full year of registration with the GDC."  
> Source: [CPD scheme](https://www.gdc-uk.org/education-cpd/cpd/cpd-scheme), General Dental Council, read on 17 October 2026

> "for dentists 1 January to 31 December"  
> Source: [CPD scheme](https://www.gdc-uk.org/education-cpd/cpd/cpd-scheme), General Dental Council, read on 17 October 2026

## Details

Annual CPD statement at renewal, a personal development plan (PDP) linking activities to at least one development outcome, evidence (certificate) for verifiable CPD.

> "Make a CPD statement as part your annual renewal of registration"  
> Source: [CPD scheme](https://www.gdc-uk.org/education-cpd/cpd/cpd-scheme), General Dental Council, read on 17 October 2026

> "maintaining a personal development plan linking activities to at least one development outcome"  
> Source: [CPD scheme](https://www.gdc-uk.org/education-cpd/cpd/cpd-scheme), General Dental Council, read on 17 October 2026

Highly recommended topics (not mandatory): medical emergencies at least 10 hours per cycle and 2 hours every year; disinfection and decontamination at least 5 hours; radiography and radiation protection at least 5 hours if you take radiographs.

> "we recommend at least 10 hours in each CPD cycle, and at least two hours of this type of activity every year"  
> Source: [Recommended CPD topics](https://www.gdc-uk.org/education-cpd/cpd/cpd-scheme/recommended-cpd-topics), General Dental Council, read on 17 October 2026

> "if you undertake radiography, we recommend at least five hours in each cycle"  
> Source: [Recommended CPD topics](https://www.gdc-uk.org/education-cpd/cpd/cpd-scheme/recommended-cpd-topics), General Dental Council, read on 17 October 2026

## If the requirement is not met

Registrants who do not meet the minimum requirements or do not make an annual statement may be removed from the register. A 56-day grace period can be requested.

> "may be removed from the register by the GDC’s Registrar"  
> Source: [CPD scheme](https://www.gdc-uk.org/education-cpd/cpd/cpd-scheme), General Dental Council, read on 17 October 2026

> "If approved, we will give you an additional 56 days to complete your CPD, known as a grace period."  
> Source: [CPD scheme](https://www.gdc-uk.org/education-cpd/cpd/cpd-scheme), General Dental Council, read on 17 October 2026

## Official sources

- [CPD scheme](https://www.gdc-uk.org/education-cpd/cpd/cpd-scheme), General Dental Council
- [Recommended CPD topics](https://www.gdc-uk.org/education-cpd/cpd/cpd-scheme/recommended-cpd-topics), General Dental Council

[CPD requirements for dentists by country](https://hajto.de/en/tools/cpd-requirements-by-country.md) · Not legal advice — the competent chamber or authority prevails.