Course Overview

Both dental hygienists and therapists help people maintain good oral health by providing treatments, carrying out procedures and giving dietary and hygiene advice.

The role of the dental therapist is the same as a dental hygienist. However, they can also do some restorative work dentists do, such as fillings and extractions.

This dual role BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy course is currently undergoing accreditation with the General Dental Council (GDC). The system will provide students with the theoretical and practical skills required to register as dental hygienists and therapists with the GDC.

Both dental hygienists and therapists provide oral care that helps patients maintain a healthy mouth, gums and teeth. The treatments and procedures they carry out – such as scaling and polishing and taking dental X-rays – are designed to support good oral health and prevent dental problems before they develop.

In addition to this, dental therapists are also trained to do some of the same work as dentists, including fillings and extracting and placing preformed crowns on 'baby' teeth.

Dental therapists can provide any dental work that doesn't require treatment to the nerve of a tooth while working with adult patients, making them essential support to dentists and versatile and multi-skilled dental team members.

The BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy degree will provide you with the knowledge, skills and professionalism you need to take on either of these roles, which are in high demand throughout the UK, in the NHS and the private healthcare sector.

After you complete this course, you can register with the General Dental Council (GDC) as a dental hygienist and a dental therapist and embark on your dental career immediately.

General Eligibility

• 2023-24 and 2024-25 entry: 112 UCAS tariff points (or above), BBC (A-Level), DMM (BTEC), Merit (T Level) or Access to Higher Education Diploma (science or health affiliated) – a minimum of 30 Level 3 credits at merit grade or above.

• Applicants must hold at least 2 A levels at grades BB, including Biology.

• Or Dental Nursing Qualifications: A National Certificate or Diploma in Dental Nursing.

• Applicants must hold five GCSEs at grade 4/C or above, including Mathematics and English (or equivalent).

• For applicants whose first language is not English but who have been living in the UK for less than 2 years (or have not lived in the UK at all), we will accept IELTS or the University of Suffolk Password test as meeting the English requirement.

• Applicants whose first language is not English but who have been living in the UK for 2 years or more will be expected to hold GCSE English at Grade C or above (grade 4-9 for the new GCSEs) or the relevant Level 2 equivalent (if applicable).

Part Time Work Details

Twenty hours of work permit weekly for international students.

Language Requirement

• IELTS 7.0 overall is required where English is not the student's first language