Dental Hygienist

Dental hygienists are an important part of the dental team, helping people to prevent dental problems and treat gum disease in adults and children.

You will help support people’s dental hygiene by giving advice, preventing, and treating gum disease and helping people get rid of associated problems like bad breath. You will work closely alongside a Dentist who will usually advise you and help direct your work. You will use a range of dental instruments to clean, polish and scale teeth, take impressions and x-rays of teeth.

Role Characteristics

Provide dental advice on dental hygiene and oral health education to people of all ages
Work closely with the dental team to treat and help patients in preventing gum disease
Use a range of dental instruments to clean, polish and scale teeth
Apply temporary dressings to protect a broken tooth or replace a lost filling
Encourage and demonstrate tooth brushing and cleaning in-between teeth
Ensure that dental instruments are sterilised appropriately

Skills

Active listening
Advice giving
Attention to detail
Decision-making
Operating equipment
Record keeping

Day in the life

Watch this video to find out more about how to become a Dental Hygienist

Routes into this role

Here are some example routes that can lead into this role.

GCSEs

BTEC

A-Levels

Foundation degree

Undergraduate degree

Degree apprenticeship

How to become

You will normally need 5 GCSEs including English, maths and a science subject. You will also need at least two A levels or equivalent including one science subject and then you can apply for General Dental Council approved diploma or degree programme. Most courses lead to a combined dental hygienist and dental therapist qualification.

It is important to check your preferred course provider's entry requirements for guidance.

To practice as a Dental Hygienist, you must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC).

Where can this role lead

No matter what role you start in or where you are in your career path, there are always opportunities to develop and progress in health and care.

With experience, you can progress to become a Practice Manager, train other Dental Hygienists or develop further skills such as sedation or tooth whitening. You could also work as an Orthodontic Therapist.