BSc Dental Therapy and Hygiene
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Dental Therapy and Hygiene, a dentistry degree focused on clinical practice, dental science, and patient care. Core topics include Clinical Skills. Students undertake clinical placements involving community outreach and patient care. The first year covers foundational concepts through Integrated Dental Science 1 (BDT), Clinical Dental Practice 1 (BDT), Inter-Professional Engagement 1 (BDT), and Professional Development and Lifelong Learning 1 (BDT). The second year advances practical training via Applied Dental Therapy Knowledge 1, Dental Therapy Inter-Professional Engagement 2, Developing Clinical Practice, and Dental Therapy Professional Development and Lifelong Learning 2. The third year consolidates expertise through Applied Dental Therapy Knowledge 2, Proficient Clinical Practice, Inter-Professional Engagement: Quality Improvement, and Interprofessional Learning 3.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
GCSE: Applicants need to achieve 6 GCSE passes (grade C/grade 4 or higher) which must include the following subjects: English Language Mathematics Two Science subjects - either GCSE Double Award Science or two from single award Chemistry, Biology, or Physics Plus suitable Level 3 qualifications as outlined below: A level: The typical offer is ABB at GCE A Level, which must include Biology. General studies at GCE A or AS level is not included in any offer. We are only able to consider Level 3 qualifications completed within five years of the start of the application cycle. For example, qualifications completed since 2019 would still be valid when applying in September 2024. Dental Nursing Qualifications: National Certificate or Diploma in Dental Nursing, plus 2 A Levels at grade BB, must include Biology. If you are unsure whether your qualification is suitable, please contact meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk . City & Guilds Extended Diploma in Dental Nursing Grade Distinction + 2 A levels at grade AB (to include Biology and a second science). BTEC RQF National Extended Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma: DDD in Applied Science including sufficient Biology content, an A-level in Biology is also strongly advised alongside this qualification at grade B. BTEC National Diploma DD in addition to an A-Level in Biology at grade B is mandatory. Access to HE Diploma: Pass an Access course in a predominantly Science subject. 60 credits overall to include 45 level 3 credits, of which 15 level 3 credits must be in Biology or Human Biology. You must achieve Merit or Distinction in 33 level 3 credits, including the 15 credits in Biology or Human Biology. As desirable, an A-level in Biology is also strongly advised alongside this qualification at grade B. Other accepted qualifications: International Baccalaureate: a minimum of 34 points overall with Higher Level 5 in Biology and Higher Level 5 in another science. Scottish Advanced Highers: SQA Advanced Highers ABB including Biology. Irish Leaving Certificate: H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3 at Higher Level with H2 in Biology. Selection and admissions process: None of the typical offers listed above are necessarily the threshold for interview selection. Other factors including the number of applications received may influence the threshold for interview selection. We will only consider an application from each candidate for either Dental Therapy and Hygiene with Foundation Year OR Dental Therapy and Hygiene. Offers will not be made for both programmes. Applications should be made through UCAS by the published deadline. This is typically 15 January. All decisions on applications are made by the Admissions Advisory Panel, which consists of academics, clinicians and senior members of the administrative team. The University of Plymouth Medicine and Dentistry Admissions Team process applications as follows: 1. Shortlisting for interview – Applicants are considered for interview based on relevant academic qualifications alone, with the consideration of contextual markers applied to grades where applicable. We do not currently consider personal statements or work experience when selecting for interview. The Admissions Advisory Panel consider many factors when choosing who will be invited to attend an interview, including the number of places available on the course and the number of applications received, alongside the academic profiles of all of our applicant 2. Interview – Successful applicants are invited to attend an interview process. We use Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) as the format for our interviews, and full details can be found on the Medicine and Dentistry selection and admissions process page. Following interview outcomes, candidates are ranked based on the score achieved and the top performing applicants are offered a place on the course 3. Offer – Offers are made via UCAS. Within all offers, candidates are required to complete a series of health and police checks, full details of which are communicated to firm offer holders by the Admissions Team. Practising as a therapist requires the highest standards and we take seriously our commitment to only enrol and teach students with the integrity required of the profession. Full details can be found on our Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise page. Full details of our selection and admissions process can be found on our Medicine and Dentistry selection and admissions process page. Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise Please view our Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise page. Re-sit applicants Re-sit applicants are considered for this course, with the following requirements: If you are applying with predicted grades, a minimum of BBC must be achieved on first sitting of A level Where BBC is not achieved on first sitting, applicants must re-sit the required qualifications and apply once suitable grades have been achieved A level or accepted equivalent qualifications must be completed in no more than 3 years of study, unless otherwise advised A suitable qualification profile must be achieved on first re-sit attempt We do not have an AS level resit policy, however, full A levels must be completed within the above timeframe. For re-sit criteria of other qualifications, please contact the Admissions Team at meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk . Students must be 18 years old or over at the start date of this programme. Deferred entry: Unfortunately we cannot permit deferred entry. However, if you have a query please contact the admissions team who will be able to explain the application process in more detail at admissions@plymouth.ac.uk .
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What students say
Based on about 16 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 83%
- Learning opportunities: 85%
- Assessment and feedback: 75%
- Academic support: 80%
- Organisation and management: 59%
- Learning resources: 80%
- Student voice: 67%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 9 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 90%
Most common jobs
- Health associate professionals: 100%
- Find their work meaningful: 100%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 100%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 100%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 270 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 8%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 7%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 15%
- South East: 13%
- South West: 35%
- Wales: 6%
- Scotland: 3%
- Northern Ireland: 3%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- A degree: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- The General Dental Council quality assures and approves qualifications for registration, for the following registrant groups: Dentists; dental hygienists; dental therapists; dental nurses; clinical dental technicians; dental technicians; and orthodontic therapists.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Integrated Dental Science 1 (BDT)
- Clinical Dental Practice 1 (BDT)
- Inter-Professional Engagement 1 (BDT)
- Interprofessional Learning 1
- Professional Development and Lifelong Learning 1 (BDT)
- Applied Dental Therapy Knowledge 1
- Dental Therapy Inter-Professional Engagement 2
- Interprofessional Learning 2
- Developing Clinical Practice
- Dental Therapy Professional Development and Lifelong Learning 2
- Applied Dental Therapy Knowledge 2
- Proficient Clinical Practice
- Inter-Professional Engagement: Quality Improvement
- Interprofessional Learning 3
- Dental Therapy Professional Development and Lifelong Learning 3
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Dental Therapy and Hygiene at University of Plymouth earn?
The median salary is £42,000 after 15 months, £48,000 after 3 years, £52,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £47,000 and £59,000. The £52,000 median after five years is £9,000 more than the UK median for Dentistry.
What do graduates of BSc Dental Therapy and Hygiene at University of Plymouth do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Dental Therapy and Hygiene at University of Plymouth?
83% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Dental Therapy and Hygiene at University of Plymouth?
The typical offer is A at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 156 UCAS points.
Is BSc Dental Therapy and Hygiene at University of Plymouth accredited?
Yes. The General Dental Council quality assures and approves qualifications for registration, for the following registrant groups: Dentists; dental hygienists; dental therapists; dental nurses; clinical dental technicians; dental technicians; and orthodontic therapists.
How many students continue on BSc Dental Therapy and Hygiene at University of Plymouth?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.