Dental Hygiene

The School for Dental Care Professionals (DCPs) at Bristol has a highly skilled and dedicated teaching team who provide first-class training to DCPs. As a student Dental Hygienist you will be taught pre-clinical and clinical skills in refurbished, state-of-the-art training facilities. The concept of ‘Collaborative Practice’ is a key theme throughout your course, working and training alongside dental therapists, dental undergraduates and dental nurses. We are proud of the excellent feedback we receive from our students.

Dental Hygiene courses

Dip Dental Hygiene (Direct Entry)

Why study Dental Hygiene at Bristol?

Our excellent staff:student ratio for supervision and support throughout this course will enable you to become a highly skilled, competent clinician, capable of providing high levels of clinical care and patient management.

The course is subject to a number of thorough clinical and theoretical assessments. You will benefit from a variety of teaching methods that will enable you to gain the confidence to deliver and tailor oral health advice, and carry out preventative dental treatments. Clinical treatment sessions are closely supervised by experienced dental tutors and each student will have the opportunity to receive immediate feedback on their performance throughout the course. Through this close supervision you will develop a sensitive and patient-focused approach to care for patients referred to you for treatment.

What kind of student would this course suit?

A self motivated individual who has a patient/people centred approach and who has a flair for communicating with a diverse range of people with varying needs. Joining this profession requires a lifelong commitment to continued professional development. Hand/eye coordination is essential as well as excellent manual dexterity.

How is this course taught and assessed?

The majority of this programme is spent learning and working in a clinical environment, whether in the clinical skills laboratory or in a clinic. Scientific and technical knowledge is taught using traditional lecture, seminar and group teaching alongside laboratory and technical work. Students have the opportunity in the latter part of their course to experience working in collaboration with the dental team as part of the Community Based Dental teaching experience at South Bristol Community Hospital. Methods of assessment include essay writing, multiple short answer questions, e-assessment and continuous clinical assessment. Summative assessment is used for progressional purposes throughout the course.

Health

Certain health conditions may be incompatible with dental hygiene. You will be asked to complete a health questionnaire and visit our occupational health department before starting the programme. Blood screening and inoculations may be recommended before starting clinical work. Health status is important to protect both clinical operator and his/her patients.

Conduct

Working with the general public demands a commitment to exemplary personal and professional conduct. In accordance with the General Dental Council guidelines on 'Fitness to Practise', some applicants may not be suitable for a career in dental hygiene. For example, if you have a criminal conviction you may not be considered. All new students must undergo a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) enhanced check and register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) in line with other health-related programmes in the UK, before starting dental clinics. Please visit the Guidelines for students on Disclosure for more information.

What are my career prospects?

Once qualified you are able to register with theGeneral Dental Council and work in a variety of settings including general dental practices, salaried dental services, specialist practices, hospitals and industry. You will be a vital part of any dental team, working to the prescription of a dentist providing primary dental care and oral healthcare advice. Once qualified, you may wish to embrace the concept of lifelong learning and train as a dental therapist, orthodontic therapist or dentist.