Dental hygienist

You could do either:

• a 2-year foundation degree in oral health science
• a 2-year diploma of higher education in dental hygiene, or dental hygiene and dental therapy
• a 3-year degree in oral health science, or dental therapy and dental hygiene

Experience as a dental nurse may be useful. A recognised dental nurse qualification can sometimes take the place of an A level for course entry.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• list of approved dental hygiene courses
• university courses and entry requirements

Registration

• you'll need to register with the General Dental Council

Further information

You can find out more about dental hygiene careers from the British Society of Dental Hygiene & Therapy.

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• knowledge of medicine and dentistry
• excellent verbal communication skills
• sensitivity and understanding
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to work well with your hands
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks, as you may be working with children and vulnerable adults

You'll work with children and adults, one to one and sometimes groups, advising on how to take good care of their teeth and gums. You'll also use instruments to do dental treatments.

On a daily basis you could:

• remove plaque
• clean and polish teeth to help prevent gum disease
• apply fluoride and sealant treatments to reduce decay
• give local anaesthetic under the supervision of a dentist
• apply temporary coatings and sealants to protect teeth
• encourage and demonstrate tooth brushing and flossing
• sterilise equipment
• check and maintain patient records

You could work at a dental practice, in an NHS or private hospital or at a health centre.

You may need to wear protective clothing and a uniform.