Preparing for practice
The GDC sets required outcomes for dental professionals who want to join the UK Dental Register, and potential registrants are expected to show evidence that they have undertaken CPD in these areas.
These are set out in the GDC's document Preparing for practice. (opens in new window)
Here we have courses specifically designed to exactly meet some of the UK General Dental Council's registration outcomes.
Clinical
Section 2: Population-based dental health and care
Explore the essentials of population health in dentistry with this course, aligned with GDC's "Preparing For Practice" outcomes. Understand oral health trends, healthcare systems, and health promotion. Learn about evidence-based prevention and community oral healthcare planning. Perfect for dental professionals focused on broader healthcare impact.
This course is designed to cover the following Preparing For Practice outcomes:
- 2.1 Describe the basic principles of a population health approach including demographic and social trends, UK and international oral health trends, determinants of health and inequalities in health, the ways in which these are measured, and current patterns.
- 2.2 Describe the dental and wider healthcare systems dental professionals work within, including health policy and organisation, delivery of healthcare and equity.
- 2.3 Describe and evaluate the role of health promotion in terms of the changing environment, community and individual behaviours to deliver health gain.
- 2.4 Describe evidence-based prevention and apply appropriately
- 2.5 Describe the principles of planning oral health care for communities to meet needs and demands.
Communication
Section 4: Communication: Team and the wider healthcare environment
Enhance communication skills within dental and healthcare teams with this course. Learn effective collaboration for patient care, oral health promotion, and practice management. Focus on appraisal, training, feedback, and professional interactions across health sectors. Ideal for fostering a cohesive healthcare environment.
This course is designed to cover the following Preparing For Practice outcomes:
- 4.1 Communicate effectively with colleagues from dental and other healthcare professions in patients’ best interests in relation to:
- the direct care of individual patients
- oral health promotion
- the day to day working of the clinical department/practice in which the individual works
- the wider contribution which the department/practice makes to dental and healthcare in the surrounding community
- raising concerns when problems arise
- 4.2 Explain the role of appraisal, training and review of colleagues, giving and receiving effective feedback
- 4.3 Give and receive feedback effectively to and from other members of the team
- 4.4 Communicate appropriately and effectively in professional discussions and transactions within the health and other sectors
Professionalism
Section 8: Teamwork
Explore the dynamics of dental teamwork in this concise course, designed around the GDC's 'Preparing For Practice' outcomes. Learn about the roles within dental and healthcare teams, and how effective collaboration ensures high-quality patient care. Perfect for understanding and enhancing team contribution in a dental setting.
This course is designed to cover the following Preparing For Practice outcomes:
- 8.1 Describe and respect the roles of dental and other healthcare professionals in the context of learning and working in a dental and wider healthcare team
- 8.2 Ensure that any team you are involved in works together to provide appropriate dental care for patients
- 8.3 Explain the contribution that team members and effective team working makes to the delivery of safe and effective high quality care
Section 9: Development of self and others
Designed to meet the GDC's "Preparing For Practice" requirements, this course is essential for anyone looking to join or rejoin the dental register. It focuses on recognising and fulfilling your professional responsibilities in self-improvement and team development. Learn how to give and receive effective feedback, understand different learning methods, and appreciate the role of assessment and critical reflection in personal development.
This course is designed to cover the following Preparing For Practice outcomes:
- 9.1 Recognise and demonstrate own professional responsibility in the development of self and the rest of the team
- 9.2 Utilise the provision and receipt of effective feedback in the professional development of self and others
- 9.3 Explain the range of methods of learning and teaching available and the importance of assessment, feedback, critical reflection, identification of learning needs and appraisal in personal development planning
Management and leadership
Section 10: Managing self
Meet key GDC "Preparing For Practice" outcomes with our focused course on self-management in dentistry. Learn to prioritise patient interests, manage time and resources effectively, and understand the impact of personal behavior in healthcare. Essential for any dental professional's personal and professional development.
This course is designed to cover the following Preparing For Practice outcomes:
- 10.1 Put patients’ interests first and act to protect them
- 10.2 Effectively manage their own time and resources
- 10.3 Recognise the impact of personal behaviour on the health care environment and on wider society and manage this professionally
- 10.4 Recognise the significance of their own management and leadership role and the range of skills and knowledge required to do this effectively
- 10.5 When appropriate act as an advocate for patient needs
- 10.6 Take responsibility for personal development planning, recording of evidence, and reflective practice
- 10.7 Ensure that all aspects of practice comply with legal and regulatory requirements
- 10.8 Demonstrate appropriate continuous improvement activities
Section 11: Managing and working with others
Align with GDC's "Preparing For Practice" outcomes in this course on team management and collaboration in dentistry. Emphasise a patient-centred approach, understand team roles, and ensure personal accountability. Learn about Direct Access impacts, effective delegation, and safeguarding those who raise concerns. Ideal for dental professionals focused on enhancing teamwork and leadership skills.
This course is designed to cover the following Preparing For Practice outcomes:
- 11.1 Take a patient-centred approach to working with the dental and wider healthcare team.
- 11.2 Recognise and respect own and others’ contribution to the dental and wider healthcare team and demonstrate effective team working.
- 11.3 Demonstrate personal accountability to patients, the regulator, the team and wider community.
- 11.4 Lead, manage and take professional responsibility for the actions of colleagues and other members of the team involved in patient care.
- 11.5 Comply with team working requirements in the Scope of Practice and Standards for the Dental Team documents.
- 11.6 Understand the impact of Direct Access on each registrant group’s scope of practice and its effect on dental team working.
- 11.7 Manage and delegate work in line with competence and professional practice.
- 11.8 Act to raise concerns about health, behaviour or professional performance as described in Standards for the Dental Team Principle 8.
- 11.9 Ensure protection for those who raise concerns from discrimination or other detrimental effects.
Section 12: Managing the clinical and working environment
Master key aspects of dental practice management with this course, meeting GDC's "Preparing For Practice" outcomes. Focus on safety systems, equipment handling, complaint procedures, and understanding legal and ethical issues. Essential for effective practice management and compliance.
This course is designed to cover the following Preparing For Practice outcomes:
- 12.1 Recognise and comply with systems and processes to support safe patient care.
- 12.2 Recognise the need for effective recorded maintenance and testing of equipment and requirements for appropriate storage, handling, and use of materials.
- 12.3 Recognise and demonstrate the procedures for handling of complaints as described in Standards for the Dental Team Principle 5.
- 12.4 Describe the legal, financial, and ethical issues associated with managing a dental practice.
- 12.5 Recognise and comply with national and local clinical governance and health and safety requirements.
- 12.6 Describe the implications of the wider health economy and external influences.