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Dental hygienists help to prevent dental decay by cleaning patients' teeth and providing them with education about how to care effectively for their teeth and gums, and the effects of diet on oral health.

Most dental hygienists work for private, NHS or mixed dental practices. Specialist opportunities occur within hospitals, the armed forces Defence Medical Services, university dental schools and teaching hospitals, and large private companies and organisations. Hygienists are also employed by community clinics, which work with patients with a range of special and additional needs. Responsibilities of the job include:

• providing dental health education about tooth care and diet

• removing plaque and calculus by scaling and polishing teeth

• taking impressions and/or dental radiographs of teeth

• applying prophylactic/antibacterial materials, fissure sealants and topical fluorides to help prevent tooth decay

• carrying out screening and monitoring procedures

• treating and helping to prevent gum disease

• ensuring that sterile conditions are maintained

• offering advice and encouragement to patients

• working closely with and under the instruction of dentists

• using a range of dental instruments

• keeping up to date with new developments within the profession and maintaining patient dental records

Qualifications and training required

You need to register with the General Dental Council (GDC) in order to practise as a dental hygienist, and in order to register you need to have completed a GDC-approved qualification. These are offered at a range of levels:

• a foundation degree in oral health science

• a diploma of higher education (DipHE) in dental hygiene, or dental hygiene and dental therapy

• a degree in oral health science, or dental therapy and dental hygiene

Key skills for dental hygienists

Good eyesight and manual dexterity skills are essential, as is the ability to maintain concentration for lengthy periods of time. Having a mature, friendly, confident and caring manner is important, as is the possession of appropriate personal characteristics such as effective interpersonal, communication, teamwork and listening skills.