If you have good communication skills, and you are interested in helping people to look after their teeth and gums, then the role of dental hygienist could be for you.

Dental hygienists (also known as oral health practitioners) give adults and children advice and information on how to keep their teeth and gums healthy. They also provide treatments to help prevent and treat tooth decay and gum disease. They work under the instruction of dentists to help prevent dental problems. To work as a dental hygienist you would need to take a General Dental Council approved course.

Tasks:

• remove plaque
• clean and polish teeth to help prevent gum disease
• apply antibacterial treatments to reduce decay
• give local anaesthetic under the supervision of a dentist
• apply temporary coatings and sealants to protect teeth
• encourage and demonstrate tooth brushing and flossing to individuals and groups.

Key skills:

• an interest and ability in science, anatomy and physiology
• the ability to motivate clients to improve their dental hygiene
• excellent communication skills to explain treatments and put patients at ease
• the confidence to handle equipment
• good eyesight and steady hands for carrying out precision work
• the ability to concentrate for long periods
• good teamwork skills.
  

Qualifications and training required:

Before you can work as a dental hygienist, you would need to take one of the following General Dental Council (GDC) approved courses:

• a foundation degree in oral health science
• a diploma of higher education (DipHE) in dental hygiene, or dental hygiene and dental therapy
• a degree in oral health science, or dental therapy and dental hygiene.

The foundation degree and DipHE courses normally take two years to complete. The degree course usually takes three years, full-time.

To do a course, you would usually need:

• five GCSEs (A-C), including English and a biological science
• two A levels (preferably in science subjects), or a recognised dental nurse qualification.
• Experience as a dental nurse may help you.

Check with individual course providers for exact entry requirements as other qualifications may also be accepted.

You would also need to pass background checks by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), as you would be working with children and vulnerable adults.

Once you are on an approved training programme, you will spend time on clinical work placements, and at college or university studying subjects such as:

• anatomy and physiology
• preventive dentistry
• diet and nutrition
• dental health promotion
• dental radiography.

Source: nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk