...

Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy BSc(Hons)

Apply Now
Open Days
Order a Prospectus
Select the year

Start Dates

21 September 2026

Duration

3 years full-time

UCAS Tariff

128-120

Recent Awards For Excellence

Find out more about these awards
About this course

Overview

Why choose Huddersfield for this course?

  • Gain confidence using our state-of-the-art skills labs and immersive simulation facilities on our National Health Innovation Campus.
  • You’ll learn from experienced health professionals and service users whose real-world insights bring teaching to life.
  • Build communication, leadership and teamwork skills through our Health and Wellbeing Academy’s community-focused work experience opportunities.

Accreditation and Professional Links

Recognised connections to give you an extra edge when you graduate. Read More

Places available

Entry to this course is competitive due to a limited number of places. For the 2026-27 academic year, we expect to have approximately 30 places available.

Are you keen to make a difference to people’s oral health and wellbeing? If you’re compassionate, detail-oriented, and thrive in hands-on environments where patient care comes first, our Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy BSc(Hons) course is for you.

This course has been designed to meet the diverse needs of today’s healthcare landscape and equip you with the expertise, skills, and professional confidence to become a registered Dental Hygienist and Dental Therapist. Developed in alignment with the General Dental Council (GDC) Safe Practitioner Framework, this course blends theoretical learning with practical, hands-on experience in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Why study Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy BSc(Hons)

This course will prepare you to put your skills and abilities into practice after qualification, both through reflecting on the evidence from ongoing research and your own practice. You’ll be taught by an experienced team of lecturers and clinicians who bring real-world insights to the classroom, you’ll also benefit from a curriculum that integrates cutting-edge techniques, public health considerations, and sustainable healthcare practices.

From mastering foundational knowledge in oral disease prevention and dental radiography to managing complex cases involving special educational needs, oral cancer, and dental implants, throughout the course you’ll be supported to become a competent and effective Dental Hygienist and Dental Therapist.

Through extensive clinical practice, including work-based learning in community clinics and dental practices, you’ll gain the confidence and competence to provide high-quality patient-centered care in diverse professional settings.

Also, our Public Partnership Group (PPG) and Health and Wellbeing Academy work together to support your development as a compassionate, person-centred professional. You’ll engage with service users and carers through lectures, discussions, and simulations. Their lived experiences will help to build your communication skills, empathy, and the critical thinking needed to deliver outstanding care across diverse communities. While our Health and Wellbeing Academy offers hands-on placement opportunities through initiatives like Get Set Goal and Restart a Heart. These experiences will help you build skills in communication, public health, leadership, and teamwork while making a real impact in the community.

In Dec 2025, the University’s new Emily Siddon Building will open on the site of the National Health Innovation Campus where you’ll benefit from specialist clinical teaching facilities and state-of-the-art simulation technology, enabling you to learn in a safe, but realistic environment utilising phantom heads. You’ll also provide care to patients in the new onsite Dental clinic.

Upon successful completion, you’ll be eligible for registration with the GDC as both a Dental Hygienist and Dental Therapist, opening doors to a rewarding career in dental care and oral health promotion. If you’re compassionate, detail-oriented, and committed to improving patient outcomes, this course is your gateway to a fulfilling future in dentistry.

This course has received provisional approval from the General Dental Council (GDC), the regulatory body for dental professionals in the UK. The course will be monitored by the GDC during the 2025/26 academic year and will be considered for full approval in line with the GDC's standard timeline, during the academic year 2027/28.

Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists must be registered with the GDC to practise in the UK. After successful completion of the course, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the GDC as a Dental Hygienist and a Dental Therapist and embark on your career once admitted to the register.*

Not quite ready to start Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy BSc(Hons)? Successful completion of our Health Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree will equip you with the foundation knowledge to study as a dental hygienist and dental therapist.

*Approval of the programme is necessary for graduates to be eligible to apply for registration with the GDC.

Who can apply?

Entry Requirements

ABB-BBB at A Level including a relevant Science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Human Biology or Applied Science) and excluding General Studies. If you are studying Science A Level, the endorsement for practical work is essential and a requirement for entry to our degree course.
128-120 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications excluding General Studies, and including one of the following: A Level Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Human Biology or Applied Science, BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate/Diploma in Applied Science, Medical Science or Biomedical Science. If you are studying Science A Level, the endorsement for practical work is essential and a requirement for entry to our degree course.
DDM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science, Medical Science, Biomedical Science or Dental Technology.
Merit at T Level in Health or Healthcare Science.
Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 level 3 credits at Merit or above, 30 of which must be passed at Distinction including at least 15 credits at Distinction in a relevant Science.
128-120 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications including a relevant Science at Higher Level at grade 6.
Qualified Dental Nurse with at least one of the following post-qualifications: Dental Radiology/Radiography (Level 4), Sedation (Level 4), Oral Health Promotion/Practitioner/Education (Level 4), Special Care Dental Nursing (Level 3). We consider Level 4 post-registration dental nurse qualifications accredited by the National Examination Board for Dental Nurses and/or the British Dental Association. Post qualification courses accredited by a UK university will be considered on an individual basis.

In addition, you must have GCSE English Language or Literature and Maths at grade 4 or above, or grade C if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme, or Ofqual regulated Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English.

To work with radiation in a healthcare setting in the UK, individuals need to be at least 18 years old at the start of the course. This is due to legal and safety considerations related to radiation exposure.

Offers will be subject to an interview and references. Please note all the information provided in support of your application may be checked and must be verifiable as a true record. You will also need a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and occupational health clearances prior to registration on the course. We arrange these as part of the application process. You will be required to sign a self-declaration at the start of each year and at the end of the course. All police contact during the course must be reported to the course leader as a matter of urgency and may lead to suspension or termination. We will request an Overseas Police Check if you have lived in a country outside of the UK for 6 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years before applying to us and whilst aged 18 or over.

Placement providers for this course may require you to have received a number of vaccinations, unless medically exempt, and provide evidence of these. As a student on a course with a clinical or healthcare placement, we strongly recommend that you complete any courses of vaccinations required under current guidelines for your future profession. Failure to do so may result in your inability to undertake a placement in certain clinical settings, therefore impacting upon your academic progression, and may result in academic failure of your course.

Please note places are limited and attainment of the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an interview or offer. You must include details of any previous study.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum of IELTS 7.0 overall with no element lower than 6.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page. If you have alternative qualifications or do not meet the IELTS requirement we also offer a range of Pre-Sessional English Programmes.

Applications are reviewed on merit and other suitable experience and qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

What will you learn?

Course Details

This module introduces the foundations of scientific knowledge for Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy. You’ll be provided with an overview of the whole body, as well as focusing on oral anatomy including relevant head and neck structures and nerve innovation. You’ll also learn about physiology, studying the individual cells and organs and how they interact to function as a living unit.

This module will provide you with the opportunity to gain an understanding of the fundamental sciences used in dental radiology. This will include the physics of radiation, management and radiation protection of an individual being exposed, and the knowledge of current UK legislation for the use of ionising radiation (IRMER and IRR). You’ll focus on the clinical skills of taking dental radiographs, the equipment required, and techniques used.

This module will enable you to put into practice the theory developed in the Theory of Dental Hygiene module. You’ll develop the clinical skills of a dental hygienist using phantom head simulation, before moving on to practising non-invasive treatments on your peers. You’ll gain some initial patient contact either out in the community or in the dental clinic to build your confidence.

You’ll have the opportunity to develop essential knowledge about the prevention of oral diseases. You’ll also develop key skills such as communication and empathy which will enable you to tailor preventive advice to the individual needs of the patients, taking into consideration any cultural and religious beliefs. You’ll learn to adapt to any patient-reported anxieties within this module and you’ll be introduced to the underpinning ethos that prevention is better than cure, and that on the whole dental diseases are largely preventable.

You’ll have the opportunity to develop essential knowledge that builds a strong foundation for dental professionals. You’ll study the scope of practice of a Dental Hygienist, which will include theoretical knowledge of cross-infection, decontamination and sterilisation. Latest guidance will be used to develop knowledge in periodontal diseases, including diagnosis, management and treatment. You’ll also study the rationale and placement of temporary restorations and re-cementation of crowns, whilst developing basic theoretical knowledge of treatment-planning, including history-taking. You’ll develop your knowledge of working to a prescription within scope and gain an understanding of the rationale for the procedure for fissure sealants, impressions and the application of fluoride. You’ll also gain knowledge of local anaesthetic and its delivery.

Through this module you’ll develop your clinical skills further in order to begin to make progress towards meeting the competencies of a Dental Therapist as set out by the General Dental Council. You’ll have the opportunity to develop these skills in the University clinic and/or during external placements.

The module will enable you to put theory into practice. You’ll have the opportunity to practise the clinical skills of a dental therapist, using phantom head simulation. This will include restorative skills, using a range of dental materials and techniques. You’ll also study paediatric dentistry which will include extractions, pulp treatments and hall technique crowns.

this module introduces the theoretical knowledge of the oral cavity (mouth). This knowledge forms the foundations of patient care and underpins all the clinical modules. You’ll develop an understanding of the principles of oral pathology and medicine, and of the oral cavity in terms of oral health and oral diseases, including when to make an urgent referral to other healthcare professionals.

You’ll have the opportunity to gain the knowledge required to treat patients safely within the clinical environment. This will include consent and the complexities that need to be considered when treating special care and paediatric patients. You’ll develop your knowledge of the treatments that are outlined in the scope of practice of a dental therapist. Aspects of anxiety management will be considered including assessment of anxiety, acclimatisation, and basic behaviour management techniques. This module also introduces you to the theory which you’ll put into practice using specialist facilities, such as phantom head simulation.

Through this module you’ll develop your clinical skills further in order make ongoing progress towards meeting the competencies of a Dental Therapist as set out by the General Dental Council. You’ll have the opportunity to develop these skills in the University clinic and/or during external placements.

Through this module you’ll develop your clinical skills further in order to make progress towards meeting the competencies of a Dental Therapist as set out by the General Dental Council. You'll have the opportunity to utilise the full scope of practice of a Dental Therapist in the University clinic and/or during external placements.

This module will introduce you to some of the more complex areas of Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy. You’ll have the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of direct access, writing treatment plans and radiography reporting. Implant maintenance knowledge and clinical skills will also be covered and alternative methods to biofilm disruption will be introduced. You’ll also learn about the care of oral cancer patients and special care patients.

In this module you'll gain an understanding of how health and social care is influenced, shaped and provided in the UK. You'll explore how leadership at all levels of an organisation is key to transforming and providing quality person-centred care. This module will help you to prepare for future employment and your career progression. It aims to equip you with the skills and mindset necessary for sustained growth, adaptability and leadership throughout your career.

Teaching and Assessment

Discover what to expect from your tutor contact time, assessment methods, and feedback process.

Read more

Global Professional Award

At Huddersfield, you’ll study the award-winning Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* — so you’re ready for the career you want, whatever subject you choose.

Read more
Interested in a placement?

Placements

We believe nothing can replace the exhilaration, pace and decision making of actually doing the job. That is why we consider clinical placements an invaluable part of learning and a compulsory element of the course, in order to offer you a range of experience and expertise. With placements undertaken throughout the three years, you’ll be required to complete 850 hours of practice across the course, gaining hands-on experience in various settings.

You may work in environments such as our bespoke onsite clinic, general dental practices, specialist clinics, and hospital settings, ensuring you gain exposure to a wide range of patient cases and treatment scenarios. This allows you to develop the clinical skills and professional behaviours expected by the General Dental Council (GDC).

Please note, you may need to travel to different locations for your placements.

Also, our Health and Wellbeing Academy at the University of Huddersfield provides dynamic, interprofessional placement opportunities, enabling you to gain real-world experience in schools, community settings, and across various sectors. Through initiatives such as Get Set Goal and Restart a Heart, you’ll have the opportunity to apply your learning in practical ways, delivering health checks, wellbeing support, and CPR training to diverse audiences. Supported by experienced academic staff, these placements help you develop a wide range of skills including communication, public health education, leadership, teamwork, data capture, and audit, preparing you for future professional practice.

Where could this lead you?

Your Career

The course is vocational, providing a direct pathway to becoming a registered Dental Hygienist and Dental Therapist. With your specialist knowledge, you'll be equipped to work in the dental field, with a wide range of opportunities available depending on your preferences. Some examples include:

  • Paediatrics
  • Special care dentistry
  • Oral surgery/ max fax
  • Prison service
  • Community dental service
  • NHS general practice
  • Corporate practice
  • Private practice
  • Research
  • Academia
  • Armed forces
How much will it cost?

Fees and Finance

£9,790 per year

This information is for Home students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy. 

From January 2027 the UK government is launching a new student funding system for people starting university education. Read more about the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE).

For detailed information please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/study/fees/

£17,600 per year

This information is for international students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy. 

For detailed information please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/international/fees-and-funding/

Placement Funding:

Throughout your studies placements may incur additional costs for accommodation, parking and travel. You may be able to claim costs back through the Learning Support Fund (LSF).
We strongly encourage you to read the information available on the NHS Learning Support Fund Website to understand your eligibility and how the LSF works: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-learning-support-fund-lsf

Uniform:

Students receive an initial set of uniforms required for placement. After these have been issued, any additional uniforms may incur a cost. In 2025/26, one extra set costs approximately £30

Students studying eligible courses may receive a non-replayable grant of at least £5,000 per year.

NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) | NHSBSA

Scholarships and Bursaries

Discover what additional help you may be eligible for to support your University studies.

Home
International

Tuition Fee Loans

Find out more about tuition fee loans available to eligible undergraduate students.

Find out more

What’s included in your fee?

We want you to understand exactly what your fees will cover and what additional costs you may need to budget for when you decide to become a student with us.

Find out more

If you have any questions about Fees and Finance, please email the Student Finance Team.

Email us  

Explore More

Emily Siddon Building

Emily Siddon Building, due to open in the new year of 2026, offers state-of-the-art facilities designed to support Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy, and Diagnostic Radiography students. It provides purpose-built clinical spaces, modern simulation suites, and specialist equipment, allowing students to gain practical experience in a realistic healthcare environment.

Course overview

Michelle Williams, Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy BSc(Hons) course leader at the University of Huddersfield explains what this course at the University of Huddersfield involves.

Patient, Service User and Carer involvement

Our Public Partnership Group (PPG) is committed to helping students become a compassionate, person-centred professionals. Students can engage with service users and carers through lectures, discussions, and simulations. Their lived experiences will help to build students communication skills, empathy, and the critical thinking needed to deliver outstanding care across diverse communities.

Find out more
A seated woman is receiving medical attention from a woman in a University of Huddersfield nurses uniform

Health and Wellbeing Academy

Our Health and Wellbeing Academy offers healthcare students hands-on placement opportunities through initiatives like Get Set Goal and Restart a Heart. These experiences help students build skills in communication, public health, leadership, and teamwork while making a real impact in the community.

Find out more

Why Hud

Explore the unique opportunities and resources that make our institution a top choice for students seeking a well-rounded and future-focused education.

Decorative
01

Explore Huddersfield

Make Huddersfield your home. A Yorkshire town, surrounded by beautiful countryside, with easy access to neighbouring cities; Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield. You’ll find plenty of places to eat, drink, shop and socialise, there’s ambitious plans for future development. Our campus is situated next to the town centre - making your commute a breeze.

Find out more
Decorative
01

Your Student Experience

Get involved in great opportunities helping you to make friends from all across the world and create lifelong memories. Join one of over 100 societies with the Students’ Union, experience new cultures through global events, earn whilst you learn and build your skills via our Global Professional Award.

Learn more
Decorative
01

Budget Friendly

Huddersfield is not only one of the friendliest towns, it also offers you a lower cost of living than most big cities. This means you could have more money to spend, making your uni experience even better. On campus you’ll also find plenty of facilities and services to help you budget and make your money go further.

Find out more
Decorative
01

Sustainability Matters

We’re committed to sustainability and aim to be carbon neutral by 2030. Our plan includes reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and improving wellbeing through sustainable buildings. We’re investing in digital solutions, low-impact travel, and embedding sustainability into teaching and research, investing over £1m in carbon reduction.

Find out more
Decorative
01

Committed to Your Future

Since 2015, we’ve invested £198 million to create spaces where you can learn, collaborate and thrive. We’re continuously investing in our campus with your wellbeing in mind—adding features that make our buildings healthier, more supportive and better places for you to succeed.

Read more
Need more details?

More Info

Careers support

We know you’re coming to university to study on your chosen subject, meet new people and broaden your horizons. However, we also help you to focus on life after you have graduated to ensure that your hard work pays off and you achieve your ambition.

Find out more about careers support

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you’ll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you’ll soon discover that you’re never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey.

See our support services

Teaching Excellence

Great teaching is engaging and inspiring — it helps you reach your full potential and prepares you for the future. We don’t just teach well — we excel — and we have the awards and recognition to prove it.

Find out more

Inspiring Academics

Our researchers carry out world-leading work that makes a real difference to people’s lives. Staff within the Department of Allied Health Professions, Sport and Exercise may teach you on this course.

Find out more about our staff

Research Excellence

You’ll be taught by staff who want to support your learning and share the latest knowledge and research.

Find out more

Accommodation

Looking for student accommodation? Huddersfield has you covered. HudLets has a variety of accommodation types to choose from, no matter what your preference. HudLets is the University’s approved accommodation service, run by Huddersfield Students’ Union.

Take a look at your options

Further Study

If you want to continue your learning beyond your undergraduate degree, there is a range of financial support available for postgraduate study, including discounts for Huddersfield graduates.

Discover postgraduate courses

Legal information

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by our terms and conditions, Handbook of Regulations and associated policies. It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan.

Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons:

Changes to a course you have applied for but are not yet enrolled on

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment. We may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and if you are unhappy with the change we will discuss with you other suitable courses we can transfer your application to. If you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have an equivalent range of options to that advertised for the course. We will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to non-optional modules on a course if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change is a change that substantially changes the outcomes, or a significant part of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum. For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators or a commissioning or accrediting body. We may also make changes to improve the course in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback or to ensure you are being taught current best practice. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff being unable to teach due to illness, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to pandemics, other disasters (such as fire, flood or war) or changes made by the government.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but may happen sooner in an emergency. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will consult with affected groups of students and any changes would only be made in accordance with our regulations. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you let us know before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for any additional tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so and you may be eligible for an exit award depending on how far through your course you are.

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed in accordance with the student protection plan.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

Ask us a question