title: Understanding continuous professional development participation and choice of mid-career general dental practitioners.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Participating in continuing professional development (CPD) activities is a requirement for dental practitioners to keep their skills and knowledge up to date. Understanding the ways dental practitioners engage with professional development and the impact on practice is not fully known (Eaton et al. 2011, http://www.gdc-uk.org/Aboutus/policy/Documents/Impact%20Of%20CPD%20In%20Dentistry.pdf). The aim of this study was to gain insights into the ways that dentists reflect on their professional development and what may be influencing their choices.
  
  
  METHODS
  Empirical qualitative data were collected by semi-structured interviewing of five mid-career dentists. Using grounded theory, the data were analysed for themes about CPD choice and participation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three themes were identified as influences to dentists' choices of CPD with pragmatic considerations of how new learning could benefit their patients and their practices. Dental practitioners were influenced by the requirements of external regulatory bodies which they did not consider to necessarily improve practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dentists working in primary care in the UK are undertaking CPD which is influenced by the pragmatic requirements of running a small business and to meet regulatory requirements. In this sample, dentists are not critically reflecting on their education needs when choosing their CPD activity. Protected learning time and organisational feedback and support are recommended as a way to promote more meaningful reflection on learning and to improve professional development.
authors.affiliation: Health Education Yorkshire and Humber (Leeds Office), Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Education and Leadership, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of Bedfordshire, Luton, Bedfordshire, UK.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Wassif
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003815:Dentists / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004498:Education, Dental, Continuing / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans
keywords: 
  CPD
  ; dental education; development; general dental practitioners; learning