Quick Summary: CPD Requirements at a Glance
Who Must Complete CPD?
According to the Dental Board of Australia CPD Registration Standard, the CPD requirement applies to all registered:
- Dental Hygienists
- Oral Health Therapists
- Dental Therapists
- Dentists and Dental Specialists
- Dental Prosthetists
Exemptions: Practitioners with non-practising registration, limited registration in the public interest, limited registration to sit an examination, or student registration are exempt from these requirements.
Current CPD Cycle (2023-2026)
The current three-year CPD cycle runs from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2026. According to the AHPRA CPD guidelines, the next cycle will be from 1 December 2026 to 30 November 2029.
Important: Excess CPD hours accumulated in one three-year cycle cannot be rolled over to the next cycle.
Scientific vs Non-Scientific CPD Activities
Scientific/Clinical Activities (Minimum 48 hours)
According to the Dental Board Guidelines, for an activity to be recognised as clinically or scientifically based, it must relate to the scientific, clinical, or technical aspects of oral health care. Examples include:
- Infection prevention and control
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Patient record keeping
- Periodontal therapy techniques
- Oral health assessment and diagnosis
- Radiography and imaging
- Local anaesthesia (where within scope)
Non-Scientific Activities (Maximum 12 hours)
Non-scientific activities are those indirectly related to but supportive of dental care:
- Practice management courses
- Communication skills training
- Leadership development
- Marketing and business development
- Personal finance for practitioners
Record Keeping Requirements
The Dental Board may audit your CPD compliance at any time. You must maintain records that include:
- CPD activity provider's name
- Activity name and description
- Date, time, and location
- Number of CPD hours (excluding breaks)
- Type of CPD (scientific or non-scientific)
- Certificates of attendance where provided
Dual Registration
If you hold dual registration (e.g., as both a dental hygienist and dental therapist), you only need to complete 60 hours total — not separate requirements for each qualification.
Returning to Practice
If you're returning to practice after an absence of more than two years, you must demonstrate 40 hours of CPD in your first registration period (1 December to 30 November).
Official References
This information is sourced from official Dental Board of Australia and AHPRA publications:
Disclaimer: This information is provided as general guidance only and was accurate at the time of publication. Requirements and guidelines may change. Always verify current requirements with theDental Board of Australiaand AHPRAfor the most up-to-date information.