Engagement, Benefits, and Challenges in Continuing Professional Development among Sri Lankan Dental Practitioners

Background Continuing Professional Development (CPD) enhances the expertise, clinical skills, and professional competencies of oral health practitioners, contributing to evidence-based practice, ethical conduct, and patient safety. While many countries require CPD for license renewal, participation in Sri Lanka remains voluntary and lacks formal regulation. Exploring dentists’ experiences, engagement, and challenges in CPD is crucial for designing a structured, locally relevant CPD system. This study aimed to evaluate the perceptions, participation patterns, perceived benefits, and barriers to CPD among dental professionals in Sri Lanka. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among dental surgeons registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council. A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire covering demographics, CPD participation, benefits, barriers, and perceptions was disseminated electronically via Google Forms. Data from 320 respondents were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression to explore associations between demographic factors and CPD engagement. Results Of the 320 respondents, 56.6% were female and 58.8% were aged 31–50 years. CPD participation in the last five years was high (88.8%), with 91.6% intending to engage in future activities. Attendance was higher among specialists/consultants and practitioners with longer work experience. Lectures (80.3%) and hands-on workshops (62.2%) were the most common CPD formats, with restorative dentistry (69.4%) and oral and maxillofacial surgery (56.5%) being the preferred clinical disciplines. The main motivators were improving knowledge (90.3%) and learning new skills (77.5%), while major barriers included location (76.6%), cost (59.7%) and busy schedules (52.2%). Binary logistic regression indicated that gender, age, and qualifications significantly influenced perceived knowledge gains and understanding, with specialists/consultants being more likely than other practitioners to support mandatory CPD and the consideration of CPD points for SLMC registration renewal (OR = 3.26, p = 0.007). Most respondents recognized CPD as essential for safe (93.2%) and evidence-based practice (91.3%), and 79% supported making CPD mandatory in Sri Lanka. Conclusions Sri Lankan dentists demonstrate strong engagement and positive perceptions of CPD, yet barriers related to accessibility, cost, and scheduling remain. Structured, flexible, and context-specific CPD programs, potentially integrated with a formal regulatory framework, are needed to standardize professional development, optimize participation, and enhance patient care.