Training Schools

Qualifications & Educational Programmes

There are several ways to qualify as a Dental Hygienist / Dental Therapist:

Diploma in Dental Hygiene – two year full time course
Diploma in Dental Hygiene & Therapy – 27 month full time course
BSc in Oral Health Science – three year full time course
BSc (Hons) (Edinburgh) – four year course. This programme has now been withdrawn due to funding restraints; this means it will not be offered as an option of study at the University of Edinburgh in the future

Along with Diploma in Dental Hygiene, the University of Essex also offer a Foundation Degree in Oral Health Science (2 year course).

The entry requirements for these courses vary and you are advised to contact the school of your choice directly for a prospectus.

To have worked in a dental environment and obtained a dental nurse qualification, would be advantageous.

All training is based on the curricula determined by the General Dental Council. A further General Dental Council document confirms your scope of practice.

There are 19 training schools in the UK that offer training to become a Dental Hygienist or Dental Therapist. The majority of training courses lead to a joint qualification, so you can register as both a Dental Hygienist and or a Dental Therapist upon completion of your programme with the GDC.

For further details of the programmes available, please review the online information which should include details about the course structure, qualifications at the end of the training, length of the training course, entry requirements, when the course starts and how to apply. Many training providers will also have Open Days throughout the year, which enables you to meet the staff and see the campus and facilities and are highly recommended.

UCAS is the central organisation that processes applications for full-time undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges. Many of the above education providers use the UCAS route for applications to their programmes.

For further information please follow this link: www.ucas.ac.uk or telephone: 01242 227788.

Training programmes for Dental Hygienists who qualified outside of the UK to register with the GDC

The Dental Hygienist Adaptation Module is suitable if you are a dental hygienist with an existing qualification from outside of the UK who has undertaken the GDC Dental Care Professional assessment of your existing qualification. It will help achieve the GDC required learning outcomes for registration as a Dental Hygienist in the UK.

If you are a UK Hygienist returning to practice, the Dental Hygienist Adaptation Module is an ideal refresher course that can offer you required CPD hours for re-registration with the GDC.

For further information, please contact The School of Health and Human Sciences, The University of Essex, Southend Campus, Elmer Approach, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 1LW.

T: 01702 328375 / E: emnorris@essex.ac.ukW: https://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/ug00320/2/bsc-oral-health-science

Return to Dental Therapy (RDT) Reskill Programme

The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan published in June 2023, has outlined a plan to increase delivery of dental activity by dental therapists and dental hygienists from 5% to 15% through optimising the scope of practice of these professionals and by increasing training numbers. The Return to Dental Therapy reskill programme is a course aimed at dental therapists who are currently working clinically, perhaps providing periodontal treatment, but not utilising their full restorative Scope of Practice.

This programme will allow participants to refresh their skills and increase their confidence in order to return to working as a Dental Therapist in a general dental practice environment.