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UCAS code:
B750
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Institution code:
S82
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Location:
Ipswich
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Duration:
Three years full-time. Six years part-time. Starting date February 2024 and September 2024 |
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Typical Offer:
2023-24 entry; 112 UCAS tariff points (or above), BBC (A-Level), DMM (BTEC), Merit (T Level) See below |
* Subject to validation
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, both of which are in high demand throughout the UK, in the NHS and in the private healthcare sector. This course will start in February 2024 and thereafter will be a September intake only.
Introduction
Both dental hygienists and dental therapists help people maintain good oral health by providing treatments, carrying out procedures and giving dietary and hygiene advice.
The role of dental therapist is the same as a dental hygienist, however they can also carry out some of the restorative work dentists do, such as fillings and extractions.
This dual role BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy course will be accredited by the General Dental Council (GDC). The course will provide students with the theoretical and practical skills required to register as both a dental hygienist and dental therapist with the GDC.
Both dental hygienists and dental 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, which makes them an essential support to dentists and a versatile and multi-skilled member of a dental team.
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, both of which are in high demand throughout the UK, in the NHS and in the private healthcare sector.
After you complete this course, you’ll be able to register with the General Dental Council (GDC) as a dental hygienist and a dental therapist and embark on your dental career straight away.
Course modules
Year one establishes the foundations on which clinical practice lie, namely biomedical sciences and developing clinical skills in a simulated setting. This is paralleled by development of personal and professional skills, such as communication strategies and their role in social responsibility.
Year two builds on this skill-set, enabling students to apply it in the real-world within our excellent network of clinical placements and introduces them to the dental specialties, where they will garner appreciation of local and global context.
Year three consolidates learning and fosters competence in technical and leadership skills, whilst developing research skills. Innovation and entrepreneurship is encouraged through self-selected, independent project-based learning in education, business development or research methods.
Full downloadable information regarding all University of Suffolk courses, including Key Facts, Course Aims, Course Structure and Assessment, is available in the Definitive Course Record.
Career opportunities
This dual role BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy course will be accredited by the General Dental Council (GDC).
The course will provide students with the theoretical and practical skills required to register as both a dental hygienist and dental therapist with the GDC.
On completion of the programme you will:
• Become eligible to register with the General Dental Council (GDC) when you graduate, which you'll need to work as a dental hygienist and/or therapist in the UK
• Practise your skills in our Centre of Dental Development, with dental treatment bays and simulation technology, including our Phantom Head skills lab and radiography equipment
• Work in a dental team alongside practising dentists, dental nurses and other students, giving you a taste of your future work environment
• Have the chance to work with the public through community healthcare projects, providing additional patient-focused work experience
Fees and finance
2023-24*
- UK full-time tuition fee: £9,250 p.a
- International full-time tuition fee: £17,768 p.a (inclusive of placement fee)
Further Information
At University of Suffolk, your tuition fees provide access to all the usual teaching and learning facilities that you would expect. However, there may be additional costs associated with your course that you will need to budget for.
* 2023-24 tuition fees are subject to change in line with inflation, or a government change in the fee cap.
Entry requirements
2023-24 entry: 112 UCAS tariff points (or above), BBC (a minimum of 2 A levels at grades BB, which must include Biology.), 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.
A Dental Nursing Qualifications: A National Certificate or Diploma in Dental Nursing.
Applicants are required to hold five GCSEs at grade 4/C or above to include 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).
IELTS 7.0 overall is required where English is not the student's first language. You can read more about our English language requirements here.
If you are an international student, click here to find the academic requirements for your country.
Also see our homepage for International students.
Any offer of a place will be subject to:
- Successful interview
- Satisfactory Health check
- Satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
- Two satisfactory references
As part of the selection process, you will be expected to demonstrate good knowledge and a clear understanding of the scope of work that a nurse is required to undertake as well as the significance of the NHS Constitution and its core values.
If you have previously studied at higher education level before you may be able to transfer credits to a related course at the University of Suffolk and reduce the period of study time necessary to achieve your degree.
Facilities and Resources
Clinical practice is a major component early on in the course. This experience will help to prepare you for seeing your first patient during the second term of your first year. During your course you will be working in dental practices across Suffolk and in the University of Suffolk’s brand new, state of the art, on-campus dental practice.
Our state-of-the-art teaching facilities, including a fully computerised phantom head laboratory, exclusive training clinics, dedicated study spaces and computer clusters, provides you with access to world-class research facilities and a modern learning environment.
