What’s a dental hygienist?
A dental care professional that scales, polishes and provides preventative treatments — and teaches patients how to look after their teeth at home. It’s a step up from dental nursing, with its own qualification.
What you need to study
You’ll need a university course approved by the GDC (the people who regulate dentistry in the UK). It takes 2-3 years and is currently offered at 19 universities, including Cardiff, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol and King’s College London.
Getting in
You’ll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs (grade 4 or above), including English, Maths and Science
- 2-3 A-levels, usually including Biology
No A-levels? An Access to HE course can get you in instead.
Already a dental nurse?
Good news — it helps. Some universities (like King’s College London) accept lower grades from registered dental nurses. It’s worth ringing up a few dental schools directly to ask what they offer, since this changes year to year.
Once you’re qualified
You’ll register with the GDC and do a small amount of training each year to keep your registration.
What’s the day-to-day like?
Professional scaling, applying fluoride, teaching patients good habits and keeping records — usually a standard working week, around 37.5 hours.
What does it pay?
- Newly qualified (NHS): £29,970 – £36,483
- Experienced: £40,000 – £55,000+
- Private practice: often £45,000+, though income can vary more
Not sure whether to go the apprenticeship or self-funded course route to get there? Read our comparison of dental nursing apprenticeships vs. self-funded courses.
Thinking about making the move? Register your CV with Horizon Dental Jobs and we’ll keep you in mind as the right roles come up.