Dental hygienist

Dental hygienists prevent and treat problems with teeth and gums. They carry out dental work such as scaling and polishing teeth, taking X-rays, and using sealants to reduce tooth decay. They give advice on how to brush their teeth properly and eat the right foods to prevent problems. Dental hygienists work closely with dentists, who examine the patient first and decide on the treatment.

Work activities

Dental hygienists work closely with the dentist, who examines the patient first. If appropriate, the dentist will pass on the patient to the hygienist, recommending treatment. Hygienists teach people about oral hygiene, giving them the skills they need to keep their mouths healthy. They inform people about the importance of diet and show them how to brush their teeth properly and how to use dental floss and mouth rinses. One of the most important factors in good dental hygiene is controlling plaque; cleaning teeth correctly is essential to this. The hygienist has to show the patient any areas they are not cleaning properly. Then, they show them how to change the way they brush their teeth to reach these areas.

Apart from scaling, cleaning and polishing teeth, hygienists can:

• Apply fluorides and fissure sealants to prevent tooth decay.
• Take X-rays.
• Maintain and monitor patients’ oral health and gum disease over a period of time.

Most dental hygienists work in general dental practices. Hospital-based dental hygienists might be helping patients who are having surgery or corrective dental treatment. Dental hygienists can also work in community dental services and the armed forces. Some dental hygienists visit schools and other community settings to give talks on oral health. This part of the work involves contact with other healthcare workers and teachers.

Personal qualities and skills

To be a dental hygienist, you’ll need:

• To enjoy working with people.
• To be friendly, patient, sensitive and tactful, to put patients at their ease.
• Communication skills to give clear information and advice on oral hygiene.
• Confidence, a steady hand, good eyesight and colour vision for the practical work.

Pay and opportunities

Dental hygienists who are employed by the NHS can expect to start on band 5 or 6 of the Agenda for Change payscale, earning between £28,407 and £35,392.

Employed dental hygienists usually work 3-38 hours per week, Monday to Friday. They might have to work some late evenings and Saturdays. There are opportunities for part-time work. Self-employed hygienists are normally offered two to three days’ work a week at a practice or a number of practices.

Most hygienists work in general dental practices. Others work in hospitals, in the community and in the armed forces. Opportunities for dental hygienists occur in towns and cities throughout the UK.

There are opportunities for hygienists to work independently, as self-employed practitioners and to own their own practice.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in the dental press, local/national newspapers, on the Government’s Find a Job service, on the NHS Jobs website, and on job boards.

Entry routes and training

To become a dental hygienist, you need to complete a level 5 or 6 diploma, degree or foundation degree approved by the General Dental Council (GDC). The diploma in dental hygiene takes two years to complete full-time. Many training providers run a combined diploma in dental hygiene and dental therapy, which takes 27 months full-time. Courses are available at dental teaching hospitals. Training covers general anatomy, dental anatomy, preventive dentistry, oral health promotion and the management and care of patients. There is an emphasis on gaining manual skills, with practical work assessed through training. Degree courses provide training in both dental hygiene and dental therapy. Course titles include dental hygiene and dental therapy and oral health sciences. You can find a list of approved course providers on the website of the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT).

It can be possible for dental hygienists to become practice managers or own their own practice. You might be able to enter a teaching or research post. You could also become an orthodontic therapist, helping dentists to deal with dental irregularities such as crooked teeth. You can also train to become a dental therapist through a conversion course.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act: This career is an exception to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that you must supply information to an employer about any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, if they ask you to. This is different from other careers, where you only have to reveal information on unspent convictions if you are asked to.

Qualifications

Entry requirements for the diploma in dental hygiene (which is often combined with the diploma in dental therapy) vary depending on the school of dental hygiene. However, you’ll usually need five GCSEs, including English and biology. Some courses also ask for maths.

You’ll usually also need two A-levels, including at least one science subject. Some schools specify biology. Some schools accept a nationally recognised dental nursing or dental technician qualification in place of one or both A-levels (sometimes you’ll still need biology A-level). Other equivalent qualifications, such as Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 Nationals and the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, may be acceptable.

For entry to a relevant degree course, you’ll usually need:

• Two to three A levels including at least one science subject. Biology could be an essential subject.
• Five GCSEs at grades 9-4, including English, maths and a science subject.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter a degree, foundation degree or Diploma course leading to registration with the General Dental Council, you might be able to start one after completing a college or university Access course, such as Access to Science. You don’t usually need any qualifications to start an Access course, although you should check this with the course provider.

Related careers

• Dental nurse
• Dental technician
• Dental therapist
• Dentist
• Health promotion practitioner