Dental hygienist

Dental hygenist job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Most dental hygienists work for private, NHS or mixed dental practices. Specialist opportunities occur within hospitals, the armed forces (the Defence Dental Agency), university dental schools/teaching hospitals and large private companies/organisations. Hygienists are also employed by The Community Dental Service (CDS) that treats patients with varying special needs. Responsibilities of the job include:

• providing dental health education about tooth care and diet;
• removing plaque and calculus by scaling and polishing teeth;
• taking impressions and/or dental radiographs of teeth;
• applying prophylactic/antibacterial materials, fissure sealants and topical fluorides to help prevent tooth decay;
• carrying out screening and monitoring procedures;
• treating and helping to prevent gum disease;
• ensuring that sterile conditions are maintained;
• offering advice and encouragement to patients;
• working closely with and under the instruction of dentists;
• using a range of dental instruments;
• keeping up-to-date with new developments within the profession maintaining patient dental records.

Vacancies are advertised via the internet, in newspapers and specialist publications including the British Dental Journal, Dental Practice and the Health Service Journal.

Qualifications and training required

To qualify and practice as a dental hygienist within the UK it is necessary to gain a two-year Diploma in Dental Hygiene or a three-year Oral Health Science degree, together with General Dental Council (GDC) registration. Some exemptions may be available to candidates with alternative qualifications/experience. Information about available courses is provided on the British Dental Hygienists’ Association (BDHA) website. Previous experience gained working as a dental nurse or a dental surgery assistant is usually required prior to entry onto training courses.

Key skills for dental hygenists

Good eyesight and manual dexterity skills are essential, as is the ability to maintain concentration for lengthy periods of time. Having a mature, friendly, confident and caring manner is important, as is the possession of appropriate personal characteristics such as effective interpersonal, communication, teamwork and listening skills.