About This Course
We are no longer accepting applications for 2024 entry.
Dental hygienists are registered dental professionals who help patients maintain their oral health by preventing and treating periodontal disease and promoting good oral health practice. Dental hygienists can undertake a wide range of activities within their scope of practice, including scaling and polishing, care delivery planning, oral health promotion and application of topical fluoride and fissure sealants.
This exciting new programme will provide you with the knowledge and skills to successfully graduate as a registered dental hygienist as recognised by the General Dental Council. Dental hygienists can continue to develop their practice after registration. It is possible to specialise in patient groups such as the older person or those with additional needs. Many hygienists continue to become dental therapists, or diversify into education or other related fields such as orthodontics. The opportunities and choices are wide ranging and offer a rewarding career with many options for supported development.
You will gain practical experience through diverse clinical placements in a range of primary and secondary care settings across North Wales, including dental practices and hospital wards. Efforts will be made to locate you in a placement close to your term time address, however there is an expectation of a willingness to travel should the placement require it.
Placements will be conducted across the academic year alongside the taught components of the programme. Throughout these placements you will receive mentorship from trained supervisors. You will also be given increased responsibility and independence as your clinical skills, knowledge and experiences grow.
You will be taught in an interprofessional environment alongside students from nursing, radiography, midwifery, and physiotherapy. In these interprofessional modules you will learn topics that are common across a range of heath sectors, giving a broad understanding of how healthcare is integrated across a range of professional domains.
The programme is led by dedicated dental hygiene tutors within the School of Medical and Health Sciences. You will have access to a state-of-the-art phantom head facility, lecture theatres and IT infrastructure.
Tuition Fees Covered
If you are considered a home UK student for tuition fees who can commit to working in Wales for two years after graduating, you could get your tuition fees covered in full through the NHS Wales Bursary Scheme and claim for a £1,000 bursary contribution towards living costs. You can also apply for the means tested bursary that is dependent on household income and other funding that has eligibility criteria for childcare support, dependents allowance and parental learner allowance. You can also apply for the income-based maintenance funding and a reduced rate loan from Student Finance.
Full details are available on our NHS funding page.
Flexibility in where and how you study
Many of the taught components of the course are delivered via a blended learning approach which allows some elements to be accessed online, both when being delivered live and as on demand online resources. This theoretical elements of this course are taught at the Bangor campus.
Elements of the course can be available through the medium of Welsh and you’ll be supported to access the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol incentives. For more information on the School's bilingual provision click here.
Student IT Bursary
Bangor University in partnership with HEIW will ensure that access to technology is not a barrier for suitably qualified applicants wanting to pursue a career in healthcare. Under this scheme applicants to this course are eligible for a £400 bursary (terms and conditions apply) to support the purchase of a computer if they are resident in one of the lowest 20% (areas 1-382) of the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation. You can see if your postcode qualifies you on the Welsh Government's website.
Course Content
The programme is taught using a blended approach. This approach uses face-to-face real time teaching alongside home learning to provide training in a collegiate, flexible, learning environment. The programme is made up of theoretical, practical, and clinical components. This mix of components is set to achieve an approximately 50:50 balance of theory and practice.
Theoretical components are delivered using a mix of methods including lectures, seminars, tutorials, and e-learning. You will be part of a small cohort allowing you to form a close group, where peer-learning and support is encouraged and nurtured. Mandatory elements of the programme are delivered in an interdisciplinary environment, sharing learning with students from Nursing, Midwifery and Radiography programmes.
Practical elements of the programme are taught using structured progression to ensure that you are competent, safe and supported. In the first year you will undertake essential training using clinical skills labs and phantom head facilities. Following this, you will begin a placement circuit in a range of primary and secondary care settings where you will learn and develop your clinical skills in an applied environment. These clinical placements continue throughout the duration of the programme.
You will be supported by programme tutors throughout your learning. These tutors are the first point of contact for all academic, practical, and pastoral matters. In clinic, you will be assigned a clinical mentor who will be an existing dental registrant. This mentor is trained to facilitate you safely and thoroughly through the completion of your clinical learning portfolio.
All elements of the programme are mapped to the requirements of the General Dental Council. These set out the minimum requirements for a ‘safe beginner’ with respect to clinical, communication, professional and management & leadership domains.
What will you study on this course?
Below is an example of the programme structure for years 1 & 2.
Year 1
- Biomedical Science
- Clinical Practice 1
- Clinical Skills
- Dental Radiography
- Human Diseases
Year 2
- Clinical Practice 2
- Dental Public Health
- Oral Medicine and Pathology
- Patient Management
- Assessment
Assessments are conducted using a range of methods. For taught components of the programme, assessment includes multiple choice questions, group discussion boards, written examination, and case-based presentation. For clinical components you are required to complete gateway assessments, OSCEs and a digital clinical portfolio.
Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.
Facilities
- Phantom head training rooms
- Integrated high fidelity and low fidelity clinical simulation labs supported with online clinical skills.
- Synchronous and asynchronous learning supported by lecture capture.
- Blackboard Ultra
- Blackboard Collaborate
- Dynamic Flipped Classroom approach to learning which is learner-centred
- Lecture Capture
- Microsoft Teams
- Use of Microsoft SWAY
- OneDrive
- Online Social Space
- Live Timetabling
General University Facilities
Library and Archive Services
Our four libraries provide a range of attractive study environments including collaborative work areas, meeting rooms and silent study spaces.
We have an extensive collection of books and journals and many of the journals are available online in full-text format.
We house one of the largest university-based archives not only in Wales, but also the UK. Allied to the Archives is the Special Collections of rare printed books.
Learning Resources
There is a range of learning resources available, supported by experienced staff, to help you in your studies.
The University’s IT Services provides computing, media and reprographics facilities and services including:
- Over 1,150 computers for students, with some PC rooms open 24 hours a day
- Blackboard, a commercial Virtual Learning Environment, that makes learning materials available on-line.
Entry Requirements
Please note: we are unable to accept applications from international students.
Entry Process for Professional Courses
The School requires all candidates to undertake an enhanced criminal record check and other requirements for demonstrating good character; the local Health Board will be responsible for setting the requirement for good health. The criminal records check will include an enhanced DBS check for the child and adult workforce including a check of the barred lists. Applicants who have lived or worked outside the UK are also required to undertake a criminal records check in their countries of residence. Candidates with entry qualifications older than 5 years must demonstrate evidence of recent study at an appropriate level. For further information and advice please contact the School at health.applications@bangor.ac.uk
Offers for interview will be made following consideration of academic and/or practical work-experience.
Academic Criteria
GCSEs: applicants must normally have, or be working towards, a minimum of five GCSE grades A*-C/9-4 including GCSE Welsh or English first language and Mathematics/Numeracy and Biology/Science (or a recognised alternative qualification*), but consideration is given to individual circumstances.
- A-Levels: Minimum grades BC, must include Biology at A2. General Studies and Key Skills not normally accepted
- BTEC National Extended Diploma: minimum MMP in a science related subject, must include Biology modules
- Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: minimum MMP in a science related subject, must including Biology modules
- T-Levels: May be considered on a case-by-case basis in a science related subject (must include Biology modules with Pass required as minimum, please contact us for advice).
- International Baccalaureate Diploma: including grade H4 in Biology
- Access to HE Diploma in a science related subject and must include Biology modules: Pass with a Distinction / Merit profile (maximum 27 Passes)
- Irish Leaving Certificate: minimum 72 points from a minimum of 4 Higher Subjects (including H3 in Biology)
- Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge: can be accepted in lieu of one A-level (at the A-level grade specified) plus Biology A Level
- A GDC recognised Dental Nursing qualification may be submitted in lieu of one A Level subject (please note: A-level subject/s must include Biology).
For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go to www.ucas.com.
Selection Interviews
Offers for interview will be made following consideration of academic and/or practical work-experience. Applicants will be required to attend a selection event. This event will include an informal interview, scenario responses and group discussion. These are designed to allow the selection panel to understand the non-academic attributes of the applicant relevant to the programme.
General University Requirements
To study for a degree, you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see www.ucas.com.
We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.
All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.
As part of the University’s policy, we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.
We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more information about studying as a mature student, see our Studying at Bangor section of the website.
Please note: we are unable to accept applications from international students.
Entry Process for Professional Courses
All applicants must satisfy a range of entry criteria; regulatory entry requirements include demonstrating good health and good character. The School requires all candidates to undertake an enhanced criminal record check and other requirements for demonstrating good character; the local Health Board will be responsible for setting the requirement for good health. The criminal records check will include an enhanced DBS check for the child and adult workforce including a check of the barred lists. Applicants who have lived or worked outside the UK are also required to undertake a criminal records check in their countries of residence. Candidates with entry qualifications older than 5 years must demonstrate evidence of recent study at an appropriate level. For further information and advice please contact health.applications@bangor.ac.uk
Offers for interview will be made following consideration of academic and/or practical work-experience.
Academic Criteria
GCSEs: applicants must normally have, or be working towards, a minimum of five GCSE grades A*-C/9-4 including GCSE English, Mathematics and Biology/Science (or a recognised alternative qualification*), but consideration is given to individual circumstances.*
Offers are tariff based, minimum 72 tariff points, from a Level 3 qualification**:
- A-Levels: Minimum grades BC, must include Biology at A2. General Studies and Key Skills not normally accepted.
- BTEC National Extended Diploma: minimum MMP in a science related subject. Must include Biology modules.
- BTEC Subsidiary Diploma can be accepted in lieu of one A Level: minimum Merit.
- Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: minimum MMP in a science related subject, must including Biology modules .
- T-Levels: May be considered on a case-by-case basis in a science related subject (must include Biology modules with Pass required as minimum, please contact us for advice).
- International Baccalaureate Diploma: including minimum grade H4 in Biology.
- Access to HE Diploma in a science related subject: Pass with a Distinction / Merit profile (maximum 9 Passes and must include Biology modules).
- Irish Leaving Certificate: minimum 72 points from a minimum of 4 Higher Subjects (including H3 in Biology)
- Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge: can be accepted in lieu of one A-level (at the A-level grade specified) plus Biology A Level
- A GDC recognised Dental Nursing qualification (Level 3 / Level 4) may be submitted in lieu of one A Level subject (please note: A-level subject/s must include a minimum grade B in Biology at A2).
- Foundation year in a relevant science-based subject: 60% or above overall and 65% or above in all Biology modules required. Acceptable courses include: Biomedical Science, Biology and Medical Science.
Please note: We do not accept Health and Social Care qualifications in lieu of Science/Biology qualifications. Post-qualification certificates in Dental Nursing can strengthen an application but cannot be used to meet entry requirements.
*We do NOT accept Functional/Essential Skills in English/Mathematics as an alternative to GCSEs; The Irish Leaving Certificate minimum of O4 is the equivalent to GCSE Grade C/4.
**For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go to www.ucas.com.
Selection Interviews
Offers for interview will be made following consideration of academic and/or practical work-experience. Applicants will be required to attend a selection event. This will be in the form of Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) stations, each requiring the applicant to either complete a task or answer a few short questions.
English Language Requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English or Welsh: IELTS: 7.0 with no component lower than 7.0 is required. No alternatives are acceptable and applicants must provide confirmation of IELTS at point of application.
General University Requirements
To study for a degree, you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see www.ucas.com.
We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.
All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.
As part of the University’s policy, we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.
We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more information about studying as a mature student, see our Studying at Bangor section of the website.
Careers
Dental hygienists provide and essential service in across a range of dental care environments. Graduates may expect to work in a general dental services or community dental services clinical workplace. Within these environments dental hygienists work as part of the broader dental team, managing their own patients, and supplementing the care provided by other dental registrants.
It is expected that dental hygienists will play an increasing role in NHS dental service delivery in Wales as policy changes continue to emphasise the utilisation of Hygienists.
Dental Hygienists can focus on specific elements of care or work in specific care environments, including teaching hospitals, dental schools, armed forces, prisons, or residential care facilities. Unique career pathways are available through continued professional development and lifelong learning opportunities. Some dental hygienists become dental educators, regulators, and academics.
Dental hygiene is also a platform to progress between roles within dentistry. Progression from dental hygiene to dental therapy is common.
Opportunities at Bangor
The University’s Careers and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions.
The Bangor Employability Award (BEA)
The BEA is a comprehensive online course that you can work through at your own pace, taking you through all the steps you need to take to explore, prepare and apply for your dream career.
Internships
Bangor University runs a paid internship scheme within the university’s academic and service departments.
Student Volunteering
Volunteering widens your experience and improves your employability. Find out more about volunteering on the Students’ Union’s website.
