Dental hygienist

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through a university course.

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

• oral health science
• dental hygiene
• dental therapy

When you apply for a university course, it might help to have some experience as a dental nurse.

Entry requirements:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

To become a dental hygienist, you could start with the Dental Nurse (Integrated) Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

You could also do the Oral Health Practitioner Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship if you already work in dental care and you're registered with the General Dental Council .

You would then need to complete further training in dental hygiene to become a registered dental hygienist.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• customer service skills
• knowledge of medicine and dentistry
• excellent verbal communication skills
• sensitivity and understanding
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to work well with your hands
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to enjoy working with other people
• thinking and reasoning skills
• knowledge of psychology
• knowledge of English language
• active listening skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• knowledge of biology
• excellent written communication skills
• the ability to read English
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• a desire to help people
• concentration skills

What you'll do:

Dental hygienists give advice and treat tooth decay and gum disease.

As a dental hygienist, you'll work with children and adults either on their own or in a group. You'll tell them how to take good care of their teeth and gums.

On a daily basis you could:

• clean and polish teeth to help prevent gum disease
• complete different treatments to reduce and prevent decay
• give local anaesthetic under the supervision of a dentist
• encourage and demonstrate tooth brushing and flossing
• check and maintain patient records

Location : You could work at a dental practice, in an NHS or private hospital or at a health centre.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing and a uniform.

Salary:

Starter : £28,000
Experienced : £43,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 38 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends on a rota

Career Path:

With experience or more training, you could:

• specialise in an area, such as children's teeth
• become a manager of a dental practice
• teach student dental hygienists
• move into a related job, such as a dental therapist  or a health promotion specialist
• become a dental hygienist in the Royal Navy , if you're already registered with the General Dental Council