How to become a dental hygienist

A dental hygienist helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease by cleaning and polishing teeth, applying treatments such as fluoride and fissure sealants, and teaching patients how to look after their mouths. You qualify through a General Dental Council (GDC) approved course taking two to three years, then register with the GDC. The National Careers Service gives typical pay of £32,000 for a starter to £57,000 with experience, although what you earn depends heavily on where you work.

What the work involves

Hygienists carry out dental examinations, clean and polish teeth, apply sealants, show patients brushing and flossing techniques and refer them to a dentist when treatment is needed. They keep patient records and promote oral health to children and adults. Most work in general dental practices, with community and hospital settings also possible. The National Careers Service gives a typical working week of 37 to 40 hours, usually between 8am and 6pm on a rota.

The role is regulated, and enhanced background checks apply because you may work with children and vulnerable adults. Our guide to DBS check levels explains what that involves.

Training routes

NHS Health Careers lists three course types: a three-year BSc (Hons), a two-year foundation degree (FdSc) and a two-year diploma of higher education (DipHE). Some dental schools offer combined dental hygiene and dental therapy courses. The course must be GDC approved.

Entry requirements for the university route are usually five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, including English, maths and science, plus two or three A levels depending on the university (biology for a degree, according to the National Careers Service). A recognised dental nursing qualification is the other entry point. Experience in a dental or healthcare setting, such as shadowing a hygienist, can help an application, and extra help with costs may be available through the NHS Learning Support Fund.

If you are already a dental nurse, the part-time route with a dental school lets you keep working while you train.

Pay: why the range is so wide

NHS Health Careers says pay varies because hygienists may be self-employed or employed by a practice. In NHS hospitals or community clinics, starting salaries may sit at Agenda for Change band 5 or 6. You can see what those bands pay in England in our guides to band 5 and band 6. The typical working week in the NHS is 37.5 hours.

Outside NHS hospital and community posts, pay depends on the practice or on self-employed arrangements, so the NHS bands are only a guide. If NHS terms such as pension and sick pay matter to you, look for posts advertised on NHS Jobs and check the band in the advert.

Hygienist or dental therapist

A dental therapist does more clinical work. The National Careers Service lists tasks for therapists including taking dental X-rays, extracting baby teeth, and placing crowns and fillings in certain circumstances. It gives the same typical pay range of £32,000 to £57,000. Hygienists can move into therapy, and some courses combine both qualifications from the start, which keeps options open if you are unsure.

Moving on

Career options include specialising, for example in children’s teeth, becoming a dental practice manager, teaching hygienist students, or moving into health promotion. Registered hygienists can also become dental hygienists in the Royal Navy.

Skills and day-to-day setting

The National Careers Service lists knowledge of medicine and dentistry, thoroughness and attention to detail, good verbal communication, sensitivity and understanding, the ability to work with your hands, and patience under stress. Hygienists spend the day in close contact with patients, many of them nervous. Work takes place in dental practices, NHS or private hospitals and health centres, and protective clothing is usual.

If you lack the science A levels for a degree, the National Careers Service lists Access to HE science courses among the study options. Our Access to HE guide explains what these diplomas are and who they suit.

Applying

For an NHS post, use the supporting statement to show GDC registration, clinical experience and patient education work. Our guide to writing an NHS supporting statement covers the format. Check the person specification for what it asks you to evidence before you apply.