CPD Hub / Infection Control
Disinfection & Decontamination
The GDC strongly recommends 5 hours of verifiable CPD per cycle in Disinfection and Decontamination, aligning with HTM 01-05 (or Scottish/Welsh/NI equivalents).
Core Curriculum
Training must address the specific processes of rendering dental instruments safe for reuse. It must cover:
- Essential Quality Requirements (EQR) vs Best Practice.
- Validation and testing of Autoclaves and Washer Disinfectors.
- Safe handling of sharps and inoculation injury protocols.
- Dental Unit Waterlines (DUWL) management and Legionella prevention.
- Hand hygiene protocols and PPE.
Practical Application
CPD is most effective when applied directly to your local decontamination unit (LDU). Your practice must maintain daily and weekly logs. Use our Sterilisation Log Generator to ensure your paperwork matches HTM 01-05 requirements before a CQC inspection.
Recommended Reading
Before purchasing CPD, ensure you have read the primary source material:
| Document | Region | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| HTM 01-05 | England | Primary care dental practices |
| SDCEP Decontamination | Scotland | Cleaning, sterilisation, DUWL |
| WHTM 01-05 | Wales | Welsh specific guidance |
Common Mistakes
- Logbook Failures: CPD certificates won't save you if the daily Helix/Bowie-Dick tests for your autoclave are undocumented.
- Waterlines: Ignoring the required 2-minute morning flush and 20-30 second between-patient flush.
Next Steps
Review our CQC Inspection Checklist or head back to the CPD Hub.