BDH Dental Hygiene (B770)
2027 entry | view 2026 entry
Course summary
Bristol Dental School has a long and impressive track record for successfully training dental hygienists and therapists. Many are attracted by our expert training and state-of-the-art clinical facilities. Our courses are ranked 2nd in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2026.
We've recently reviewed our previous BSc Dental Hygiene and Therapy course to strengthen the integration between dental hygiene and therapy, and dentistry. The result is that you can now choose between applying for:
- Bachelor of Dental Hygiene
or
- Bachelor of Dental Therapy.
Please note that you can only apply for one of these courses, not both.
The newly named Bachelor in Dental Hygiene (BDH) course has its first intake of students in September 2026. This full-time, three-year programme is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to practise safely as a registered dental hygienist.
The course blends flexible, asynchronous material with in-person lectures, small-group tutorials, seminars and practical classes. You'll also be offered dedicated pastoral support from your own personal tutor. Together, you'll meet regularly to discuss your progress and help shape your personal development plan (PDP). If you ever need extra support, a Senior Tutor is available to step in and give extra guidance.
You'll be based at our Dental School, right in the heart of the city centre and just a short walk from Bristol Temple Meads station. Here, you'll train with cutting-edge technology, alongside experienced dental professionals, in a world-class, purpose-built facility.
The curriculum is integrated with BDS Dentistry students, so you'll benefit from team training at the start of year one. Your teaching and learning journey is further enhanced by:
- early introduction to clinical activity
- integrated academic and clinical teaching, combining theory with practice
- opportunities for community engagement, enabling you to take your skills out to where they are needed most.
Teaching and assessment are delivered through a variety of evidence-based methods, including:
- interactive lectures
- flipped classroom
- small-group learning and tutorials
- discussion groups
- clinical simulations in the Clinical Skills Laboratory
- chairside clinical teaching in a variety of locations and disciplines.
The ways in which you'll be assessed include:
- e-assessment
- short answer questions (SAQs)
- single best answer
- multiple short answers (MSAs)
- case presentations.
If you successfully complete the programme, you'll be able to register as a dental hygienist with the General Dental Council.
Course structure
The BDH Dental Hygiene degree course has three units, one unit each year. There are four themes in each unit.
Year 1
You'll be introduced to the fundamentals of biomedical sciences relevant to the dental hygienist. Once you're competent in the pre-clinical setting, you'll begin patient care under supervision (year one, term two), which includes understanding pain and anxiety control. Each patient session is entered into a Complete e-Assessment Framework System (CAFS), with supervisor feedback, allowing for reflection and development. Critical Appraisal is also introduced.
Year 2
You'll be provided with opportunities to continue patient care, building on the periodontal skills you acquired in year one. Patient care is delivered across a number of clinical settings. This develops your knowledge and understanding of treatment modalities in both paediatric and adult patients. Personal and Professional Development builds upon the knowledge you gained in year one to enhance the personal and professional attributes required of a safe practitioner. You'll also complete an evidence based summary.
Year 3
Your final year will provide you with the opportunity to consolidate underpinning knowledge to practice safely and competently. Using your skills and clinical knowledge, you'll diagnose, treatment plan, and treat adults and children within your scope of practice. Your lectures and tutorials will reduce, allowing you to focus strongly on clinical skills and completion of a dissertation. From term two, you'll undertake a clinical placement under supervision to consolidate your clinical practice skills and complete the theoretical knowledge and clinical requirements needed to graduate.
Entry requirements
We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.
Find out more about BTEC entry requirements
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
More about Access to HE entry requirements
Selection process
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement are found in the University admissions policies and procedures.
- If applying with extenuating circumstances please see our policy.
- Full information about our selection processes for Dental Hygiene can be found in the Admissions Statement:
Admissions statement - The admissions statement above relates to 2026 entry. The statement for 2027 entry will be available in summer 2026.