Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy

Dental hygiene and dental therapy are two related clinical roles within oral healthcare that together form one of the most practically important professional training routes in dentistry. Dental hygienists focus on the prevention and treatment of gum disease and the promotion of good oral health, providing scaling and polishing, patient education, and dietary advice. Dental therapists have an extended scope that includes some restorative treatments such as fillings and extractions of deciduous teeth, as well as preventive care.

Both roles work closely with dentists to deliver comprehensive oral healthcare and to reduce the burden of dental disease in the population.

This three-year, full-time programme at the University of Portsmouth includes a year abroad, which gives you the opportunity to engage with oral healthcare and dental education in a different national context. You will develop both the clinical competencies and the theoretical knowledge needed to practise as a dental hygienist or therapist, covering oral health science, clinical techniques, patient communication, and the preventive and restorative dimensions of the scope of practice. Clinical placement is central to the programme, providing supervised experience in real dental settings with a range of patients.

Successful completion of the degree leads to eligibility for registration with the General Dental Council as a dental hygienist and therapist, which is required to practise in the UK. Most graduates work in primary care dental practices, community dental services, and hospital dental departments, contributing to the prevention and treatment of dental disease across all age groups. The year abroad adds international perspective and can open opportunities for practice in other countries where the qualification is recognised.

Further study or continuing professional development in advanced clinical practice, dental public health, or education is available to those who wish to develop specialist expertise or move into academic roles.