STUDY

Undergraduate

BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy*

Institution code:	S82
UCAS code:	B750
Start date:	February 2024
Duration:	Three years full-time
Location:	Ipswich
Typical Offer:	112 UCAS tariff points (or above), BBC (A-Level), DMM (BTEC), Merit (T Level)

Institution code:	S82
UCAS code:	B750
Start date:	February 2024

Duration:	Three years full-time
Location:	Ipswich
Typical Offer:	112 UCAS tariff points (or above), BBC (A-Level), DMM (BTEC), Merit (T Level)

Applying to University Book an open day chat with us get a prospectus

Course information table
Institution code:	S82
UCAS code:	B750
Start date:	September 2024
Duration:	Three years full-time
Location:	Ipswich
Typical Offer:	112 UCAS tariff points (or above), BBC (A-Level), DMM (BTEC), Merit (T Level)

Course information table
Institution code:	S82
UCAS code:	B750
Start date:	September 2024

Course information table
Duration:	Three years full-time
Location:	Ipswich
Typical Offer:	112 UCAS tariff points (or above), BBC (A-Level), DMM (BTEC), Merit (T Level)

Applying to University Book an open day chat with us get a prospectus

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* Subject to validation

Overview

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.

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 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 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 Dental 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.

Mandatory Module.

Course Modules 2024

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 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 specialities, 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.

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

Mandatory Module.

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Entry Requirements

2023/24 Entry

112 UCAS Points (or above)

BBC (A-Level)
DMM (BTEC)
Merit (T Level)
Access to HE Diploma (science or health affiliated): 45 Level 3 credits at Merit grade or above.

How to Apply Entry Requirements Explained

Applicants are expected to hold A-level Biology or a Science related subject at Grade C or above.

Please note: Dental Nursing Qualifications, including National Certificate or Diploma in Dental Nursing do not count as a Science subject however, the tariff points could be counted alongside other suitable level 3 qualifications.

All applicants are required to hold five GCSE's at grade C/4 or above including English and Maths at Grade C/4 (or Level 2 equivalents). Applicants who do not hold these qualifications may be considered on an individual basis based upon their overall application and the course applied for.

Non-Academic Requirements

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 dentist is required to undertake as well as the significance of the NHS Constitution and its core values.

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.

Please select your country of permanent residence from the list below, specific requirements for your country will then be shown.

International Home

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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.

Further information on Recognition of Prior Learning

Students aged 21 or over at the start of their course are regarded as mature students. The University of Suffolk offers a flexible admissions policy for mature students, which takes into account life and work experience.

Applying as a mature student

Entry Requirements 2024/25

2024/25

112 UCAS Points (or above)

BBC (A-Level)
DMM (BTEC)
Merit (T Level)
Access to HE Diploma (science or health affiliated): 45 Level 3 credits at Merit grade or above.

How to Apply Entry Requirements Explained

Applicants are expected to hold A-level Biology or a Science related subject at Grade C or above.

Non-Academic Requirements

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

IELTS 7.0 overall is required and a minimum of 6.5 in each component. where English is not the student's first language. You can read more about our English language requirements here.

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).

Please select your country of permanent residence from the list below, specific requirements for your country will then be shown.

International Home

GO TO COUNTRY PAGE

Transferring Credit

Further information on Recognition of Prior Learning

Applying as a mature student

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

UK Full-time Tuition Fee

£9,250

per year

International Full-time Tuition Fee

£17,768*

per year

*Inclusive of placement fee

Further Information

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

UK Full-time Tuition Fee

£9,250

per year

International Full-time Tuition Fee

£18,380*

per year

*Inclusive of placement fee

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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Facilities and Resources

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.

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.

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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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STUDY

BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy*

Overview

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6th

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Course Modules

Course Modules 2024

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