Dental hygienist

Dental hygienists are an important part of the dental team, preventing dental problems in adults and children.

Working life

You'll help children and adults look after their teeth and gums. Sometimes you might be working on a one-to-one basis while on occasion you'll work with groups of people. 

You'll carry out procedures such as:

  • scaling teeth (at times under local anaesthetic)
  • polishing teeth
  • applying topical fluoride and fissure sealants

You are likely to work in general dental practices but there are job opportunities in hospitals and community dental services . 

Your work as a dental hygienist will save teeth by preventing and treating gum disease, helping people get rid of associated problems like bad breath. The dentist will usually advise you and help direct your work, although it's now possible for hygienists and therapists who have extra training to set up their own practices or work independently in a dental practice so they can see patients without them seeing a dentist first.

In the community, you could work with people with a wide range of special or additional needs. If you are based in a hospital, you will help patients who may have had major surgery or complicated orthodontic treatment or have particular medical conditions. The hospital patients you see may be very ill, apprehensive or unsure after life-changing surgery.

Cheryl McBroom

Dental hygienist
As a hygienist you can work in a range of different places with different patients. When I was training I had placements in a community dental clinic, an acute mental health trust and a school for children with special needs.

Entry requirements, skills and interests

You'll need five GCSE subjects graded 4-7 or A-C, plus two or three A levels (depending on the university) or a recognised dental nursing qualification to get on to a dental hygiene course. Good people and communication skills are very important and as you might work in different settings, you'll need to enjoy a job with plenty of variety.

Training

To practise as a dental hygienist, you need to take a course approved by the General Dental Council (GDC) and then need to register with the GDC.

Subjects studied include:

  • anatomy and physiology
  • preventive dentistry
  • dental health education
  • dental pathology
  • the management and care of patients

Several dental schools offer courses combining dental hygiene and dental therapy.

If you are studying a dental hygiene course at level 5 or 6 then you may be eligible for at least £5,000 a year towards your studies while at university. Your personal circumstances may mean you could receive more.  And the good news?  You'll never have to pay it back. Find out more. 

Career development 

With experience, you can progress to become a practice manager, train other dental hygienists or develop further skills such as sedation or tooth whitening. You could also work as an orthodontic therapist.

Pay and benefits 

Dental hygienists may be self-employed or employed directly by a dental practice so your working hours and pay will vary but some evening or weekend work may be required.

If you work for the the NHS in a hospital or community clinic, your starting salary might be at bands 5 or 6 of the Agenda for Change pay scale. You'll typically work 37.5 hours a week.

  • Displaying 1 - 5 of 28 matches

    Dental Therapy and Dental Hygiene

    Cardiff University

    View course Opens in a new window
    • Qualification
      Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
      Study mode
      Full-time
      Duration of the course
      3 Years
      Leading to a career in
      Dental hygiene or therapy
    • Contact details
      [email protected]
      029 2087 9999
    • Region
      Wales
      Admissions address
      30-36 Newport Road
      Cardiff
      CF24 0DE
      United Kingdom

    Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy

    University of Portsmouth

    View course Opens in a new window
    • Qualification
      Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
      Study mode
      Full-time
      Duration of the course
      3 Years
      Leading to a career in
      Dental hygiene or therapy
    • Contact details
      [email protected]
      023 9284 5566
    • Region
      South East
      Admissions address
      University House
      Winston Churchill Avenue
      Portsmouth
      PO1 2UP
      England

    Oral Health Sciences (Top-Up)

    University of Essex

    View course Opens in a new window
    • Qualification
      Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
      Study mode
      Full-time
      Duration of the course
      1 Year
      Leading to a career in
      Dental hygiene or therapy
    • Contact details
      [email protected]
      01206 873666
    • Region
      East of England
      Admissions address
      10 Elmer Approach
      Southend
      SS1 1LW
      England

    Oral Health Science

    University of Essex

    View course Opens in a new window
    • Qualification
      Foundation Degree in Science - FdSc
      Study mode
      Full-time
      Duration of the course
      2 Years
      Leading to a career in
      Dental hygiene or therapy
    • Contact details
      [email protected]
      01206 873666
    • Region
      East of England
      Admissions address
      University of Essex
      Wivenhoe Park
      Colchester
      CO4 3SQ
      England

    Dental Hygiene

    University of Portsmouth

    View course Opens in a new window
    • Qualification
      Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
      Study mode
      Full-time
      Duration of the course
      3 Years
      Leading to a career in
      Dental hygiene or therapy
    • Contact details
      [email protected]
      023 9284 5566
    • Region
      South East
      Admissions address
      University House
      Winston Churchill Avenue
      Portsmouth
      PO1 2UP
      England
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