RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) was introduced in 2005 in Victoria, Australia to ensure that dental practitioners maintained their skills, knowledge and kept up-to-date with current topics in dentistry. The aim of this study was to investigate the participation, impact on practice and attitudes of Victorian dentists and dental specialists to CPD activities since the commencement of mandatory CPD. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of a random sample of registered dentists and dental specialists (n = 895) was conducted from May to August 2008 using an anonymous, postal, self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The response rate was 66%. More than three quarters of practitioners believed mandatory CPD is a reasonable requirement for continued registration. Dentists reported attending an average of 30.9 h of certifiable clinical CPD whilst specialists attended an average of 33.2 h of certifiable clinical CPD over a 12-month period. Nearly three quarters of respondents reported changing their practice as a result of CPD activities, whilst one quarter attended CPD mainly to meet the mandatory requirements. CONCLUSIONS: Overall there was a positive attitude towards mandatory CPD and a high level of participation in CPD activities by Victorian dentists and specialists in 2007, although nearly half of the respondents attended <20 h of certified clinical CPD during 2007. A number of barriers exist, particularly for rural and female practitioners in accessing CPD, and further research is required to examine the benefits derived from mandatory CPD.