Key information
UCAS code:
B752
Accreditation:
This course is Accredited
Typical offer:
120-128 UCAS points from 3 A levels, or equivalent, including 40 UCAS points from a pure Science subject
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
Dental hygienists treat and prevent oral diseases. They support people in maintaining their oral health by providing treatments and advice designed to improve the health of the mouth, teeth and gums.
If you want a career as a dental hygienist, this BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene degree course is for you.
Studying in our Dental Academy, you’ll get the skills and knowledge for registration with the General Dental Council (GDC), which is essential for practicing as a dental hygienist.
Course highlights
- Be taught in our Dental Academy, complete with the latest technology used in dental practices including 2 clinics with 44 dental treatment bays, 2 individual surgeries, a phantom head room, a new haptics suite, a decontamination suite, and radiography booths
- Build your experience working as part of a dental team, studying alongside dental therapy, dental nursing and dental students as well as qualified professionals
- Get out of the classroom to work with real patients, performing dental procedures and taking part in local community outreach projects
NHS Learning Support Fund
At least £5,000 a year
Students on this course may be eligible for additional funding through the NHS Learning Support Fund bursary of at least £5,000 a year.
Top 30
for student satisfaction
(Times Higher Education, 2024)
Accredited by:
This course is accredited by the General Dental Council (GDC). This allows you to register with the GDC when you complete the course.
The GDC continually assess the course to make sure it meets the standard required for accreditation, so you'll know you're getting the most relevant and up-to-date teaching available.
Explore BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene at Portsmouth
Discover how our BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene degree course will equip you with the skills and knowledge for registration with the General Dental Council (GDC).
Debbie Withers: The BSc Dental Hygiene course is a three-year degree course where you will come out as a qualified dental hygienist and be able to go out and get a job in practice.
I think what attracts students to this course, you get to use quite complex dental instruments and also you get to look after people. We're quite fortunate, we've got really good facilities. We've got two big open-plan clinics, we've got our phantom head lab where we get to practice on plastic teeth before students are let free on patients. So it just provides as realistic as possible element of teaching.
[The course is accredited by the General Dental Council]
Debbie Withers: You can work in dental practice, you can work in prisons, in special care, in hospitals. You can work in public health, you can work in schools, it's a really diverse career that's available to students who qualify here.
We're really proud of the support we offer both as a university and departmentally and we're really, really proud that all of our students can get a really good job or final study after they graduate.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsEntry requirements
BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene degree entry requirements
Typical offers
- A levels - ABB-BBB
- UCAS points - 120-128 points from 3 A levels, or equivalent, including 40 points from a pure Science subject. For A levels which include a separate science practical component, a pass is desirable and may strengthen an application (calculate your UCAS points).
- T-levels - Merit. Acceptable T Level Subjects:
T Level in Healthcare Science (Acceptable Occupational Specialisms: Assisting with healthcare science), T Level in Science - BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DDM
- International Baccalaureate - 29-30
Selection process
- All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview in support of their application.
- Applicants must pass Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health checks before starting the course. This includes screening to exclude infectivity with Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV.
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs – see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 7.0 with no component score below 6.5.
See alternative English language qualifications.
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Hear from our Dental Academy students, Cynthia and Said
Dental Academy students Cynthia and Said talk about their experiences studying dentistry at the University of Portsmouth.
Cynthia: Reading about the University of Portsmouth in the Dental Academy, I realise it's a good place for me to harness my potential of becoming the dental nurse I've always wanted to become.
Said: Looking after the patient, caring for the patient has been the best part of my degree.
Cynthia: Right after your first year, you become a qualified dental nurse so while you are studying, you can still practice.
Said: The most useful skills were the clinical skills that I acquired during my phantom head sessions where I did extensive work on periodontal treatments. Working now in clinics with patients I feel more confident and having the support of the staff and other colleagues has helped me quite a lot.
Cynthia: We have a very friendly staff, nurses who are willing and always available to help students. When you find yourself in like any kind of confusion, they are there at your beck and call.
Said: You have to be really good with communication as well because you will continuously be communicating with patients. Also, staff and students and collaborative and professional work needs good communication skills.
Cynthia: For those willing to study at the University of Portsmouth, I would encourage you, once you get here, to make good use of all the facilities available.
Said: Caring for the patient is not just looking at their mouth and treating what we see but also is strongly correlated with the general health of the patient.
Values and the NHS Constitution
We embed the principles and values of the NHS Constitution in all our health and social care courses. When you apply for this course, we’ll expect you to demonstrate how your values align with the values of the Constitution.
Facilities and specialist equipment
Discover our dental facilities
Explore our dental facilities, where you'll access a range of specialist equipment and build your skills towards your chosen career.
The excellent facilities - highly advanced decontamination suite, recently renovated clinic, sophisticated dental equipment - I think the University of Portsmouth stands out in this aspect.
Careers and opportunities
As the title suggests, dental hygienists help patients keep their teeth clean, but there's much more to the role than this alone.
Dental hygienists provide treatments, carry out procedures and give dietary and oral hygiene advice to maintain a healthy mouth, teeth and gums. Patients are often referred to dental hygienists by dentists, although many opt to see a hygienist regularly themselves.
Dental hygienists are needed in both the NHS and within private healthcare. Once you graduate you'll be ready to take your skills into areas such as general dental practice, hospital dental services or the Armed Forces, so you'll have great employment prospects as you embark on your dental career.
Looking to study dental hygiene and learn how to carry out additional procedures such as fillings and extractions? Take a look at our BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy degree.
What areas can you work in with a dental hygiene degree?
When you graduate, you'll be qualified to work in areas such as:
- general dental practice
- hospital dental services
- the Armed Forces
- the NHS
- health promotion
What jobs can you do with a dental hygiene degree?
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- dental hygienist
- oral health educator
- practice manager
- practice owner
You could also continue your studies or do research at postgraduate level.
State of the art facilities, supportive teaching staff and a fun learning environment. The Dental Academy is the ideal starting place for any aspiring dental care professional.
Potential salary
As an NHS dental hygienist in 2021, you could expect a Band 5 starting salary of £25,655, moving up to £31,534.
With more experience, you could earn from £32,306 to £39,027 (Band 6) and with a role training, you could make up to £45,839 (Band 7).
In the private sector, dental hygienists make from £16.56 to £31.18 an hour.
Ongoing careers support
After you graduate, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability Service as you advance in your career.
Work experience with patients in the community
To help you gain professional experience, you'll help to provide free dental health services to the public at the Dental Academy and work with patients in local community settings.
You'll have the chance to offer preventative and educational dental support within institutions such as school clinics and hostels for homeless people, enabling you to gain a better understanding of the social impact of good dental care.
Our community work experience projects include:
- outreach activity in community surgeries and maxillofacial departments in local hospitals
- oral health promotion
- supervised tooth brushing in infant schools
- helping staff to develop oral care plans in residential homes
- providing dental screening to offenders in the probation service
- providing dental check ups to elite athletes, including first team players from Portsmouth Football Club
Portsmouth FC players get a check up at the Dental Academy
Thanks to a collaborative partnership with Portsmouth Football Club, our undergraduate dental students gave first team players Clark Robertson and Liam Vincent a full oral health assessment at our Dental Academy.
Check ups like these are an opportunity to catch any potential issues early, such as dental trauma from the sport, tooth decay from a diet that’s often high in carbohydrates and sugars, or dental erosion caused by acidic sports drinks.
Professor Chris Louca: Today we are resurrecting a collaboration between the University of Portsmouth and Portsmouth Football Club. So in this case, we've got final year Dental Hygiene students who are looking at the Portsmouth Football Club players and they're carrying out a full oral health assessment.
This is a really big area of interest, looking at the link between oral health and the performance of elite athletes. There's a growing body of evidence to show that there is a link between these two areas.
Francesca Lee: So an athlete's diet consists of high sugar, so the advice I'd give to athletes is to minimise eating sugary foods and drinks and if they're going to have it, eat it in one sitting rather than snacking throughout the day.
Liam Vincent: I've just had a check up and they've removed some decay off my teeth. My teeth are a lot better now!
I never really considered the health of my teeth before, as much as I will do now.
Clark Robertson: I didn't really think about it too much in relation to actually playing football, but it's something I'll be more aware of moving forward.
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, four modules worth 20 credits and one module worth 40 credits.
What you'll study
Core modules
All modules in this year are core.
You'll develop an academic awareness, as well as understanding different perspectives on particular subjects, topics and ideas. You'll develop and apply these skills by searching for and gaining an overview of public health, health inequalities and the provision of health and social care. You are required to pass both assessment artefacts to complete this module successfully.
Through peer learning and shared patient management, you'll collaborate on patient care and provide treatment centred around patient needs.
Using the Longitudinal Integrative Fully Transferable Undergraduate Postgraduate Portfolio software (LIFTUPP), your clinical development, progression and achievements will be recorded and monitored.
You'll develop an understanding of the laws and practises relevant to the professional and safe delivery of patient centred care and management of the dental patient whilst developing the skills necessary to underpin their academic and professional studies. You'll be introduced to communication skills and the principles of preventive oral health promotion. You are required to pass both assessment artefacts to complete this module successfully.
Specifically, you'll have the opportunity to learn anatomy and physiology and how this knowledge can be applied within the practice of dentistry. You are required to pass both assessment artefacts to complete this module successfully.
Core modules
All modules in this year are core.
You'll engage in both preclinical (learning in a simulated environment) and clinical environment. To demonstrate competence of key clinical skills the Longitudinal Integrative Fully Transferable Undergraduate Postgraduate Portfolio software (LIFTUPP) will be used to monitor and record clinical development, progression and achievement. You are required to pass both assessment artefacts to complete this module successfully.
On this module you'll:
- Analyse the impact of barriers to effective communication.
- Locate, access and appraise the use of a range of communication methods, engaging with familiar and emerging digital technologies in support of clinical practice.
- Apply the principles of equality, respect and dignity (equality and diversity) to demonstrate evidence based reflective practice based on professional responsibility, ethical practice and social justice and sustainability.
- Explore and discuss opportunities for personal development.
- Discuss the impact of medical and psychological conditions in the patient and how to manage anxiety and pain through effective communication and relevant behavioural techniques.
- Interpret the principles of information governance.
The module explores the theory relevant to radiography. This module is under the direction of a specialist in the areas that relate to dental radiography. You'll be supervised taking radiographs on patients until successful completion of this module.
You are required to pass both assessment artefacts to complete this module successfully.
Key content of the module includes 'Finding your voice' as a member of an interprofessional team in healthcare, with the aim of delivering person centred care, while reducing and managing errors and near misses.
You'll critique knowledge and awareness of evidence in the context of their respective discipline. You must pass both assessment artefacts to successfully pass the module.
Core modules
All modules in this year are core.
On this module you'll:
- Critically assess the health needs and health indicators of a local community in a defined geographical part of the UK
- Analyse the local health needs, health promotion and provision against current national norms.
- Critically discuss the role of key stakeholders when planning innovative approaches to health (promotion).
- Analyse the components of inter-professional collaborative working in health improvement
- Appraise the complexity of influences on social and individual behaviour when working to effect behaviour change
You are required to pass both assessment artefacts to complete this module successfully.
To demonstrate competence of key clinical skills the Longitudinal Integrative Fully Transferable Undergraduate Postgraduate Portfolio software (LIFTUPP) will be used to monitor and record clinical development, progression and achievement. You are required to pass both assessment artefacts to complete this module successfully.
The module aims to ensure that you develop a critical understanding of the processes of clinical governance and continuous quality improvement through clinical leadership and can apply these principles to the clinical setting, using a range of communication skills, reflection, clinical judgement and critical evaluation of the evidence base for clinical practice. It follows a two stepped approach; focusing on self through reflection on leadership attributes and working with others to manage legal or professional challenge accurately, fairly, openly, ethically and professionally. You are required to pass both assessment artefacts to complete this module successfully.
You'll collect and analyse evidence from a variety of sources and explore an area of best practice. From this research, you'll then develop a plan that communicates and critically discusses your findings.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
How you're assessed
You’ll be assessed through:
- written examinations
- computer examinations
- presentations
- coursework
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- seminars
- pre clinical simulated practice and live patient clinics
- practical workshops
- guided reading
Our academic staff have expertise in clinical practice and research, and you'll be fully supported by online lecture and study materials.
How you'll spend your time
One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.
We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies. As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.
A typical week
We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your Dental Hygiene degree. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as tutorials, lectures, practical classes and workshops and guided independent study sessions. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course.
Most timetabled teaching takes place during the day, Monday to Friday. You may occasionally need to go to University and course events in the evenings and at weekends.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Due to the clinical elements of the course and the professional, regulatory and statutory body requirement of the General Dental Council, the Dental Academy (UPDA) term dates will differ from the standard University dates, meaning you'll need to attend campus from early September to the end of July.
Supporting you
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,535 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,535 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £19,200 per year (subject to annual increase)
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional funding – at least £5,000 a year
Students on this course may be eligible for additional funding through the NHS Learning Support Fund of at least £5,000 a year. The bursary is non-repayable and is in addition to any other support you are eligible for, including Government student loans.
For more information, including eligibility criteria, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Additional costs
Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
You’ll get 3 sets of scrubs (clinical clothing) and a name badge at the start of the course. You can order extra or replacement scrubs at £8 per set or £4 an item. You can also order replacement name badges for £7.
You’ll need to buy your own visor frame (available from the Dental Academy for £8) and a pair of black shoes which enclose the foot (not canvas or clogs).
Plastic skulls are available for a £30 deposit to assist your learning of oral anatomy during your first year.
You’ll need to bring your own 40mm padlock if you use our locker facilities.
You’ll attend outreach locations to support your studies, and you’ll need to cover travel costs. The NHS may meet some of these costs through its Learning Support Fund.
Optional conference trips will cost in the region of £100–£200. You may have the opportunity to engage in the Erasmus programme, which will incur additional costs.
Apply
Ready to apply?
To start this course in 2025, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – B752
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Applying from outside the UK
As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things.
You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
Find out what additional information you need in our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.