Dental Hygiene

This two-year DipHE in Dental Hygiene responds to Health Education Improvement Wales (HEIW) reforms to tackle the shortage of dental professionals in North Wales and across the UK. It mixes theoretical, virtual and practical learning, incorporating substantial clinical placements in both primary and secondary care settings.

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. They can undertake a wide range of activities within their scope of practice, including clinical examination and diagnosis of disease, scaling and management of periodontal disease, care delivery planning, oral health promotion and application of topical fluoride and fissure sealants.

Studying alongside students from other healthcare professions, such as nursing, midwifery, and radiography, you’ll learn the importance of teamwork in delivering safe and effective patient-centred care. Case-based immersive simulation and dedicated skills sessions build your knowledge, confidence and capability. Clinical placements provide a range of dental hygiene experience and meet GDC requirements for registration.

Under the guidance and mentorship of trained supervisors, you will undertake clinical placements* in a range of settings and with diverse patient populations, including dental practices and community clinics.

As the Diploma in Dental Hygiene progresses, you will be given increased responsibility and independence as your clinical skills, knowledge and experiences grow. For example, you may start off providing simple treatments, such as a scale and polish, and progress to managing complex periodontal conditions involving dental implants.

Our simulation-based training equipment, using VR and phantom heads, lets you safely examine ‘patients’ and interact in real-time to clinical situations based on real-life examples. This prepares you for the realities of working and responding to such situations, both on placement and future practice.

Bangor University enjoys a close partnership with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCHUB), the largest health organisation and placement provider in Wales.

*Please note that while every effort will be made to locate you in a placement close to your term time address, you will be expected to travel to placements across North Wales if required.

General Dental Council registration

To work in the UK as a dentist or dental care professional (DCP), you must be registered with the General Dental Council. To do this, you first need to complete a qualification recognised by the GDC, one which meets its Standards for Education and equips you with the learning outcomes outlined within the Preparing for Practice guidance.

Funding support for dental care students

Considerable financial support is available if you are considered a home student** for tuition fees (someone already living within the UK) and can commit to working in Wales for two years on graduation. You could get your tuition fees covered in full through the NHS Wales bursary scheme and claim for a £1,000 bursary contribution to living costs. A wide range of additional support, subject to eligibility, is also available for childcare, parent learners, disabled students and more.

Furthermore, as part of the Welsh Government’s commitment to develop a bilingual workforce, additional financial incentives are available if you study part of your course in Welsh. We will support you to access Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Scholarships which could award you up to £1,000 for each year of your study, depending on how many credits you study in Welsh.

*Please note that as this course is funded by NHS Wales, we are unable to accept applications from international students.