STUDY

Undergraduate

BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Therapy

Toothbrush head
Institution code: S82
UCAS code: B750
Start date: September 2025
Duration: Three years full-time
Location: Ipswich
Typical Offer: 120 UCAS tariff points (or above), BBB (A-Level), DDM (BTEC), Merit (T Level)
Institution code: S82
UCAS code: B750
Start date: September 2025
Duration: Three years full-time
Location: Ipswich
Typical Offer: 120 UCAS tariff points (or above), BBB (A-Level), DDM (BTEC), Merit (T Level)

Overview

Both dental hygienists and 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.

The General Dental Council (GDC) have recommended that this course can commence from February 2024, the GDC will consider the course for full approval in line with their standard timeline during the final year of the first cohort.

Both dental hygienists and 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 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 may 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

This dual role BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Therapy course is currently undergoing accreditation with 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.

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Course Modules

Our undergraduate programmes are delivered as 'block and blend', more information can be found on Why Suffolk?  You can also watch our Block and Blend video

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 then builds on this skill-set, with clinical placements and introduces them to the dental specialities.

Year three consolidates learning and 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.

Downloadable information regarding all University of Suffolk courses, including Key Facts, Course Aims, Course Structure and Assessment, is available in the Definitive Course Record.

Close up of dental tools

This module supports students to develop effective academic skills, build resilience and wellbeing skills to assist them through their programme of study and beyond. As a dental professional, students are required to have an understanding of the law and moral reasoning is an important skill for health care staff. 

This module is designed to provide students with foundation knowledge regarding the anatomy and
physiology of the head and neck region, considering embryonic development, and the recognition
of normal and variations from normal

This module focusses on periodontal disease and the diagnosis and management to treat patients. 

This module continues to develop knowledge, clinical and technical skills to manage caries and non-carious tooth surface loss.

Students will learn about the disease processes that affect a medical history and how this could impact on the provision of oral health.

This module builds upon previous clinical skills development modules and continues to enhance existing technical clinical skills in the dental simulation laboratory. 

Poor oral health is almost entirely preventable and despite good progress over the last few decades, is still prevalent in many communities. This module looks at prevention of oral diseases at the population and community level, and at the individual level are presented and discussed. Strategies will be identified and considered regarding their effectiveness.

This module will enable students to identify appropriate literature, understand the research process and methods as a basis for the formulation of a research proposal and continue this in the final year Dissertation module.

This module builds upon previous knowledge gained in Dentistry in Society 1, where some of the
concepts around health education and promotion were introduced. Dental public health at a whole
population level will be explored in order to consider current local oral health trends and needs across the East of England.

The final year dissertation will build upon the knowledge and skills gained from the Year 2 Research Skills for Oral Health module. It provides the opportunity for students to engage in a rigorous piece of independent study and to present findings through a dissertation.

This module will focus on supporting the student to transition from a clinician under supervision to that of a registered autonomous practitioner, working effectively in a team.

This module will continue to develop clinical practice skills development in primary and secondary
care placements.

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WHY SUFFOLK

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WUSCA 2024

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Complete University Guide 2025

4th in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction

Guardian University Guide 2024

Entry Requirements

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Career Opportunities

This dual role BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy course is currently undergoing accreditation 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.

Your Course Team

Stacianne Tennant

Stacianne is Lecturer in Dental Hygiene and Therapy.

Stacianne Tennant staff profile photo

Cátia Marques

Catia is Course Leader in the BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy and has worked in cell research in several laboratories across Europe.

Catia Marques staff profile photo

Fees and Funding

UK Full-time Tuition Fee

£9,535

per year
International Full-time Tuition Fee

£18,380

per year and including placement fee

The decision to study a degree is an investment into your future, there are various means of support available to you in order to help fund your tuition fees and living costs. You can apply for funding from the Spring before your course starts.

UK Fees and Finance NHS Learning Support Fund International Fees and Scholarships

Ipswich Award

The University of Suffolk is offering a £1,000 Award for students joining the University of Suffolk’s Ipswich campus. The Award is based on specific eligibility criteria based on your year of entry.

More information
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How to Apply

To study this course on a full-time basis, you can apply through UCAS. As well as providing your academic qualifications, you’ll be able to showcase your skills, qualities and passion for the subject.

Apply Now Further Information on Applying
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