NIMDTA records attendances on all courses funded by the Department on a dental database ‘Flexident’.  There is an increasing demand from individual practitioners for information from these records to validate attendances. 

It is the responsibility of the practitioners to keep a record of their attendance at dental meetings and in the future, it is likely that it will become more important for dentists to be able to produce an authoritive record of their attendances at postgraduate courses.

Practitioners should be aware that one of the requirements for seniority payments is attendance at 10 approved educational sessions in the previous 5 financial years and this requirement is closely defined by statute in the *Dental Practitioners Statement of Renumeration.

Whatever information is held in this way is of course always accessible and the NIMDTA conforms to the requirements of the Data Protection Act.  The ability of the individual practitioner to verify his/her postgraduate education is essential in light the re-certification system.  It is most important therefore that practitioners ensure their attendance is validated by completing the course register or evaluation form. This can only be recorded if a legible full name and contract or GDC number, plus initials, are present on the appropriate form.  Please help us to help you, to ensure that the credits due to you are recorded.

*Practitioners are advised to read this determination carefully as the regulations are quite specific and cannot be varied by the Postgraduate Department.