Dental hygienist

Career path and progression

With experience and more training, you could:

• specialise in a particular area, like children's teeth
• become a manager of a dental practice
• teach dental hygienist students
• move into a related job, such as a dental therapist or health promotion specialist
• become a dental hygienist in the Royal Navy, if you're already registered with the General Dental Council

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• knowledge of medicine and dentistry
• customer service skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to work well with your hands
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Biology - Dental hygienists need a thorough understanding of human biology, particularly the structure of teeth, gums, and the oral cavity. Knowledge of how bacteria cause tooth decay and gum disease is central to the preventive treatments they carry out every day.
• Chemistry - Dental hygienists work with fluoride treatments, dental sealants, and cleaning agents, so understanding chemical reactions and how substances interact with biological tissues is important. Chemistry also helps them understand how acids produced by bacteria erode tooth enamel.

Also relevant

• Psychology - Dental hygienists regularly work with anxious patients, including children, and need to put them at ease during treatments. Understanding behaviour, motivation, and communication techniques helps them encourage patients to change habits and improve their oral health routines.
• English Language - Dental hygienists explain oral health advice clearly to patients of all ages and backgrounds, adapting their language to suit each person. They also maintain detailed patient records and may need to write referral notes for dentists.
• Mathematics - Dental hygienists use measurements when assessing gum health, such as recording pocket depths around teeth. They also need to interpret charts and data in patient records and may handle scheduling or basic practice administration.
• Physics - Dental hygienists use ultrasonic scalers and other equipment that relies on principles like sound waves and vibration to remove plaque and tartar. Understanding how these tools work helps them use them safely and effectively.
• Sociology - Dental hygienists promote oral health across diverse communities and need to understand how factors like diet, income, and cultural background affect people's dental health. This awareness helps them tailor advice and outreach to different groups.