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Joel

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Then again, I did not write this either!

Joel

Additional Info: Dental Hygienist
 

What is the work like?
In recent years the dental health of people in the UK has improved.
This means that dental health professionals can spend more time
working with patients to prevent dental problems.

Dental hygienists play a vital role in helping to prevent tooth decay
and gum disease. Their clinical role includes:

scaling and polishing teeth
applying antibacterial agents, coatings and sealants.
With further training they may:

give local anaesthetic (for some types they must be supervised by a
registered dentist)
give temporary fillings and replace crowns with temporary cement in an
emergency
take radiographs
take impressions of the teeth and gums for crowns, bridges and
dentures.
They use a range of dental instruments and could be assisted by a
dental nurse.

There is also an important role for dental hygienists in teaching
people how to care for their teeth, gums and mouths. This could
involve:

teaching people about the importance of brushing and flossing, and
demonstrating the most effective way to do this
giving people advice about diet, stopping smoking and other health
issues.
In hospitals, a dental hygienist might help patients who are having
surgery, complicated orthodontical treatment, or who are suffering
from particular medical conditions, to keep their mouth healthy.

A newly-qualified, self-employed dental hygienist in an NHS practice
could earn £19,900.

Hours and environment
Hygienists generally work a seven or eight-hour day, but in a general
dental practice working hours could include evenings and Saturday
mornings. Part-time work may be available.

Dental surgeries are warm, bright, well lit and clean. Instruments and
working areas must be kept sterile at all times.

Working for the Community Dental Service can mean travelling to see
patients in schools, community centres, residential homes or patients'
own homes. They could also work in a mobile clinic.

Dental hygienists wear a white coat or tunic and surgical gloves, plus
a face mask and eye protection for certain procedures.

Salary and other benefits
These figures are only a guide - there is no fixed salary for dental
hygienists, although the British Dental Hygienists' Association has
guidelines for hourly rates.

Hygienists working for general dental practices negotiate salary
arrangements with their employer. Rates depend on factors like the
location of the practice, whether it offers mainly National Health
Service or private treatment, the amount of time the hygienist spends
on each appointment and the type of treatment they give.

A newly-qualified self-employed dental hygienist in an NHS practice
could earn £19,900.
With five years' experience this could rise to £28,600.
A self-employed hygienist with five years' experience, in a private
practice, could earn up to £40,000.
The NHS rates for hygienists in hospitals and the Community Dental
Service depend on regional policy.

Skills and personal qualities
Dental hygienists should:

be good at science
have a high level of manual dexterity
have good eyesight
be able to concentrate for long periods of time
have excellent communication skills
have good motivational skills
have a calm and reassuring manner - some patients are nervous of
dental treatment
be able to relate well to a wide range of people - including elderly
people, children and people with special needs
work well in a team.
Interests
It is important to:

enjoy working with people
have a genuine desire to help them
have an interest in science, particularly biology
be interested in healthcare.
Getting in
There are currently over 3,900 dental hygienists in the UK.

Most dental hygienists work in dental practices. Others work in the
Community Dental Service, which gives dental treatment to people who
can not easily go to general practices, including elderly people,
people with physical or mental disabilities and children in schools or
with special needs.

There are also opportunities in hospitals, industry, dental schools or
the armed forces. Some large retailers have expanded their services by
offering dental care to customers.

There are limited opportunities to work overseas, particularly in
Europe.

Hygienists may be self-employed, visiting several dental practices to
work with their patients.

Entry for young people
All dental hygienists must register with the General Dental Council
(GDC) before they can practise. They must be at least 18 to start
training.

To qualify for registration, they must have a Diploma in Dental
Hygiene or a combined Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy
(awarded by Schools of Dental Hygiene/Hygiene and Therapy or the Royal
College of Surgeons).

Manchester University School of Dental Hygiene runs a three-year
full-time degree course for a BSc in Oral Health Science, which is
also accepted for registration by the GDC. It combines the skills of
dental hygienists and therapists.

They can also train in the armed forces.

Diploma courses last for two years, full time, in dental teaching
hospitals. Students need:

two A levels/H grades, or a nationally-recognised dental nursing
qualification, or other equivalent qualifications
at least five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3) or equivalent, including
English and a science subject.
Competition for places is keen, so the more relevant qualifications
and experience a candidate has, the better their chances.

Entry for adults
People can begin training as a dental hygienist at any age over 18.
However, to join the armed forces they must be under 30 years 11
months.

Training
Subjects studied on the diploma course include anatomy and physiology,
pathology, dental histology, orthodontics, pharmacology, treatment of
periodontal disease, prevention of oral disease, oral medicine, diet
and nutrition, oral health promotion and theories and practice of
teaching. Practical skills are taught throughout the course, starting
with practise on artificial teeth and progressing to treating
patients.

After registration dental hygienists are expected to keep their skills
and knowledge up to date through continuing professional development.
Some training schools offer post-qualification update courses for
dental hygienists who want to return to work or increase their range
of skills.

The University of Liverpool School of Dentistry offers a two-year
part-time course for qualified hygienists to become therapists,
although increasingly initial courses combine both disciplines.

Getting on
With most employers there is no formal career progression for dental
hygienists. With the armed forces, however, there is a very structured
career path.

There may be opportunities to teach at a dental teaching hospital
after taking teaching qualifications. A number of dental hygienists
take degree courses in health sciences, business studies or education.

Some dental hygienists go on to become practice managers.

Related jobs
Dental Nurse

Dental Technician

Dental Therapist

Dentist

Health Promotion/Education Specialist

Nurse (Registered): Adult Branch

Nurse (Registered): Child Branch

Nurse (Registered): Health Visitor

Further information
The British Dental Association, 64 Wimpole Street, London, W1G 8YS.
020 7935 0875. Website: www.bda-dentistry.org.uk

British Dental Association, Armed Forces Group. Website:
www.bda-dentistry.org.uk/advice/docs/armedforces.doc

The British Dental Hygienists' Association, 13 The Ridge, Yatton,
North Somerset BS49 4DQ. 01934 876389. Website: www.bdha.org.uk

Dental Education Resources on the Web: Careers in Dentistry.Website:
www.derweb.co.uk/career/career.html

The General Dental Council, 37 Wimpole Street, London W1G 8DQ. 020
7887 3800. Website: www.gdc-uk.org

NHS Careers, PO Box 376, Bristol BS99 3EY. 0845 6060 655. Website:
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk

Further reading
Careers in Dentistry - British Dental Association

Working in healthcare - Connexions

Occupations - Connexions

(Some may be priced)

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There will always be a need for dental hygiene.

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