Program Overview

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Dental Hygiene BSc (Hons)

Overview

Learn how to treat and prevent oral disease and promote oral health as a dental hygienist. Build your skills using phantom heads and treating real patients in our Dental Academy.

Key Information

• UCAS code: B752
• Accreditation: This course is Accredited
• Typical offer: 120-128 UCAS points from 3 A levels, or equivalent, including 40 UCAS points from a pure Science subject
• Study mode and duration: 3 years full-time
• Start date: September 2025

Course Information

Overview

Dental hygienists treat and prevent oral diseases. They support people in maintaining their oral health by providing treatments and advice designed to improve the health of the mouth, teeth, and gums.

If you want a career as a dental hygienist, this BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene degree course is for you.

Studying in our Dental Academy, you’ll get the skills and knowledge for registration with the General Dental Council (GDC), which is essential for practicing as a dental hygienist.

Course Highlights

• Be taught in our Dental Academy, complete with the latest technology used in dental practices including 2 clinics with 44 dental treatment bays, 2 individual surgeries, a phantom head room, a new haptics suite, a decontamination suite, and radiography booths
• Build your experience working as part of a dental team, studying alongside dental therapy, dental nursing, and dental students as well as qualified professionals
• Get out of the classroom to work with real patients, performing dental procedures and taking part in local community outreach projects

Entry Requirements

Typical Offer (September 2025 start)

• A levels: ABB-BBB
• UCAS points: 120-128 points from 3 A levels, or equivalent, including 40 points from a pure Science subject
• T-levels: Merit. Acceptable T Level Subjects: T Level in Healthcare Science (Acceptable Occupational Specialisms: Assisting with healthcare science), T Level in Science
• BTECs (Extended Diplomas): DDM
• International Baccalaureate: 29-30

Selection Process

• All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview in support of their application.
• Applicants must pass Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health checks before starting the course.

English Language Requirements

• English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 7.0 with no component score below 6.5.

Facilities and Specialist Equipment

Discover our dental facilities

Explore our dental facilities, where you'll access a range of specialist equipment and build your skills towards your chosen career.

Careers and Opportunities

As the title suggests, dental hygienists help patients keep their teeth clean, but there's much more to the role than this alone.

Dental hygienists provide treatments, carry out procedures, and give dietary and oral hygiene advice to maintain a healthy mouth, teeth, and gums. Patients are often referred to dental hygienists by dentists, although many opt to see a hygienist regularly themselves.

Dental hygienists are needed in both the NHS and within private healthcare. Once you graduate, you'll be ready to take your skills into areas such as general dental practice, hospital dental services, or the Armed Forces, so you'll have great employment prospects as you embark on your dental career.

What areas can you work in with a dental hygiene degree?

• General dental practice
• Hospital dental services
• The Armed Forces
• The NHS
• Health promotion

What jobs can you do with a dental hygiene degree?

• Dental hygienist
• Oral health educator
• Practice manager
• Practice owner

You could also continue your studies or do research at postgraduate level.

Modules

Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.

In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits.

Year 1

• Foundation of Evidence-Based Practice (Dental) - 20 credits
• Foundations of Dental Hygiene Practice - 40 credits
• Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene Practice - 20 credits
• Science Informing Practice (Dental) - 40 credits

Year 2

• Applied Dental Hygiene Professional Practice - 40 credits
• Communication for the Dental Team - 20 credits
• Dental Radiography - 20 credits
• Engaging With Service Improvement (Dental) - 20 credits
• Evidence-Based Decision Making (Dental) - 20 credits

Year 3

• Behaviour Management - 20 credits
• Enhancing Dental Hygiene Professional Practice - 40 credits
• Leading Safe and Effective Care (Dental) - 20 credits
• Project - 40 credits

How You'll Spend Your Time

One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.

We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies.

A Typical Week

We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your Dental Hygiene degree.

Supporting You

The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone, and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed.

Types of Support

• Personal tutor
• Learning support tutors
• Academic skills support
• Wellbeing and mental health support
• Disability advice and additional support
• Library support
• Support with English

Course Costs and Funding

Tuition Fees

• UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: £9,535 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
• EU students: £9,535 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
• International students: £19,200 per year (subject to annual increase)

Additional Funding – at least £5,000 a year

Students on this course may be eligible for additional funding through the NHS Learning Support Fund of at least £5,000 a year.

Additional Course Costs

• Accommodation and living costs
• Recommended reading
• General costs
• Final year project
• Clinical equipment
• Lock padlocks
• Travel costs