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- Help people take care of their dental health
- People-focused role in a community or hospital environment
- You'll need good people skills, focus and attention to detail
As a Dental hygienist you'll encourage patients to look after their teeth and gums by demonstrating tooth brushing and flossing to individuals and groups, and giving advice on diet. You'll also carry out treatments and use dental instruments for removing plaque, cleaning and polishing teeth to help prevent gum disease, applying antibacterial treatments to reduce decay, giving local anaesthetic under the supervision of a dentist, and applying temporary coatings and sealants to protect teeth.
You'll also maintain sterile conditions and occasionally take x-rays. A dental nurse may support you for some procedures. You may work in general dental practice, the community dental service and in hospitals. If you're based at a hospital, you could work shifts or be on call. If you're working for the community dental service, you'll usually travel between patients and health centres. As a self-employed hygienist, you'll see clients at a number of locations.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Encouraging patients to look after their teeth and gums by demonstrating tooth brushing and flossing to individuals and groups
- Giving advice on diet
- Carrying out treatments and using dental instruments for removing plaque
- Cleaning and polishing teeth to help prevent gum disease
- Applying antibacterial treatments to reduce decay
- Giving local anaesthetic under the supervision of a dentist
- Applying temporary coatings and sealants to protect teeth
- Maintaining sterile conditions and occasionally take x-rays
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
A dental nurse may support you for some procedures. You may work in general dental practice, the community dental service and in hospitals. If you're based at a hospital, you could work shifts or be on call. If you're working for the community dental service, you'll usually travel between patients and health centres. As a self-employed hygienist, you'll see clients at a number of locations.
You'll need
This role would be ideal for someone who can motivate, has excellent communication skills, good eyesight and steady hands, and the ability to concentrate for long periods.
You could do either a 2-year foundation degree in oral health science, a 2-year diploma of higher education in dental hygiene, or dental hygiene and dental therapy or a 3-year degree in oral health science, or dental therapy and dental hygiene.
Experience as a dental nurse may be useful. A recognised dental nurse qualification can sometimes take the place of an A level for course entry.
Once qualified, you’ll need to register with the General Dental Council.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could move into dental practice management. With further training you could teach student dental hygienists. You could also move into a related area like orthodontic therapy or health promotion.