Health & Social Care

This dual qualification is considered regarded as the emerging future of dental care, with a holistic approach to treating and preventing the two most common dental diseases – periodontal disease and dental caries.

The dental hygienist and dental therapist provide preventive periodontal and restorative treatments to adults and children, working with precision instruments and using technique-specific materials.

A dental hygienist can carry out non-surgical periodontal treatment, root surface debridement, apply fissure sealant and medicaments. A dental therapist can restore adult and deciduous teeth, extract deciduous teeth and treat the deciduous pulp.

As a competent, accountable, problem-solving and evidence-based practitioner, you need excellent manual dexterity and communication skills to meet the high expectations and demands of the modern dental practice. And you need to be able to effectively communicate with the public and other healthcare providers at all levels.

Dental hygienists and dental therapists are permitted to work in NHS/private practices, specialist practices, hospitals or community, defence medical services, dental access centres, overseas or they can choose to set up their own dental practices and employ other dental professionals.

This course is the first to provide unique modules which facilitate research skills throughout the three-year duration. It also includes the teaching of leadership and management to prepare you for ownership of your own dental practice. This course helps you to meet the standards and skills necessary to become registered by the General Dental Council and hold the title of dental hygienist and dental therapist.

Links for further information:
www.gdc-uk.org
www.badt.org.uk

What you study

Three of the four modules studied in Year 1 are combined with the Cert HE Dental Nurse Practice course, which promotes teamwork and consolidation of knowledge between the two disciplines. Focusing on clinical governance and general/regional anatomy and physiology, you are also introduced to the principles of evidence-based practice and research. A course-specific module introduces the principles and practice of periodontology, focusing on developing essential knowledge and manual dexterity skills. This module begins in the state-of-the-art phantom head skills laboratory. It is here you prepare to become a safe and effective practitioner, progressing to treat patients with mild periodontal disease in the dental treatment clinic.

In Year 2, you study in your peer group, increasing your knowledge and skills in periodontology, which enables you to take on more complex treatment approaches to patients, utilising problem-solving and decision-making skills. You are introduced to restorative skills in the phantom head laboratory, progressing on to treating patients with dental caries and preventing oral disease within the dental treatment clinic. The principles and techniques of dental radiography are also explored. You consolidate the links between theory and practice, which assists you in developing an understanding of qualitative and quantitative research, to help you draw up a research question for your dissertation.

Year 3 places emphasis on developing clinical skills with a holistic approach to patient care and the law and ethics significant to this role. You undertake a dissertation relating to oral health improvement. A unique module has been designed not only to prepare you for professional life and developing a plan for continuing professional development, you are also introduced to the principles of practice management and leadership, which enables you to understand the issues surrounding practice ownership.

How you learn

The course comprises 50% theoretical study and 50% practical work.

The use of the phantom head skills laboratory is pivotal in the practical teaching. Your theoretical learning takes place in a variety of settings and contexts, using different methods to achieve the learning outcomes, including lectures, seminars, facilitated debates, research-informed teaching, peer and group work as well as problem-solving sessions. All subjects are supported by e-learning, including pre and post reading as well as quizzes.

You are provided with a personal tutor who oversees your development throughout, and a module tutor to support academic work during each module. Throughout the dissertation, you are allocated a dissertation supervisor, who observes your progress.

The teaching of clinical treatments initially begins in the new state-of-the-art phantom head skills laboratory - a simulated clinical environment. Once you become skilled at basic practical treatments, you will be allowed to progress on to the dental treatment clinic to begin practising your skills on patients. You develop your clinical skills in an incremental manner, returning to the phantom head skills laboratory when required.

How you are assessed

Practical assessments include task-specific examinations, essential clinical competencies and case presentations. Clinical tutors observe your practical skills to ensure that you are meeting the required standards of clinical expertise prior to the practical assessments.

Theoretical assessments are varied, including essays, assignments, presentations and vivas.

Within each academic year, there are practical assessments which you must pass before you can continue with your studies.

Professional accreditation

On successful completion of the course, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the General Dental Council and to use the titles dental hygienist and dental therapist.

Career opportunities

Employment prospects are excellent and, once registered, you will be allowed to work in general dental practice, private practice, hospital departments, community dental services, specialist practices, defence medical services, dental access centres and you can even set up your own practice and employ dental professionals.

Entry requirements

A typical offer is 240 tariff points from two or three A levels (or equivalent) including a science subject (preferably biology). You can also apply with a nationally recognised dental nursing qualification and any additional nursing qualifications. For further detailed entry requirements for this course please visit www.ucas.com.

If you haven't any dental working experience, you're encouraged to shadow a dental hygienist and therapist before you apply.

You must also

• have five GCSEs (grade C or above) including English, maths and a science subject or Key Skills Level 2 in Communication and Application of Number (or equivalent)


• show you've done academic study within the last three years


• be aware you need to declare any convictions, cautions or allegations to the relevant professional body before you apply to register


• provide an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure


• be eligible for a Department of Health bursary (more info on the
  NHS Student Bursaries website).

Supporting information for applicants

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