REFLECTIVE COMMENTARY

Reflective commentary

Reflective commentary

Part 1

Continuing professional development (CPD) is a central feature of a process of lifelong learning for professional groups. This study focuses on general dental practitioners (GDPs) although, arguably, key messages from the research have applicability to other professional groups, both within and beyond the National Health Service (NHS).

Lifelong learning, professional self-regulation and clinical governance have become core aspects of quality improvement in the health service. As part of this, dentists have been captured by the growing trend to require mandatory CPD. The nature of the requirement for dentists is such that a prescribed number of hours ...