Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy BSc

This module will provide you with knowledge about the underpinning medical foundations of the human body, including the head and neck. As well, you will learn about the development and structure of the teeth and will be introduced to clinical topics such as microbiology, pharmacology, medical emergencies and common dental diseases. 

You should expect to learn through attending a variety of teaching events, for example: lectures, practicals and online learning.

This module aims to introduce you to the theory, protocols, behaviours and broad range of operative dentistry skills required to work safely and effectively in a clinical environment and prepare you for supervised treatment of patients on dental clinics, in particular, preventive care and non-surgical periodontal treatment.

You will begin clinical skills training in the Clinical Skills Learning Environment (CSLE) so you can treat patients. You will be introduced to the concept of putting patients' needs first, as well as an evidence based approach to careful and thorough treatment. You will learn how to deliver effective oral health education and diet, smoking, alcohol and substance misuse advice to patients. You will take part in simulated clinics to help build your confidence and communication skills in a clinical environment in order to help you become a caring, competent and confident member of the dental team.

This module's assessments are a gateway to treatment of patients in a clinical setting.

In this module you will be introduced to the requirements of being a dental professional. It emphasises ethical conduct and integrity in both professional and personal life, alongside the importance of patient-centred communication, adapting to individual needs, and effective collaboration with colleagues for optimal patient care. You will cover general principles of consent, their application in oral healthcare, and patients' rights to informed involvement. Key legal requirements, including data protection, fair treatment, and support for those with protected characteristics, are discussed. You will learn about the expectations of you as undergraduates and future professionals. You will learn about the importance of self-awareness, reflection, and responding to feedback.

You will learn about the academic foundations for professional expertise. You will cover information retrieval and management, academic integrity in professional communication, and effective preparation for assessments while supporting your wellbeing. The focus then shifts to research methods in oral health, emphasising your role in evidence-based prevention-focused, and sustainable patient care. Different research methods and study designs are outlined, including their strengths, limitations, and how these impact the  conclusions that can be drawn. You will learn how research informed evidence-based guidelines are used in patient care during your undergraduate programme and beyond.

In this module you will build on your existing knowledge of the human body and extend it to cover the gastro-intestinal tract and skeleton, as well as the development and growth of the mouth, face and jaws. Childhood development will be covered and you will study what makes children different from adults as well as management of dental emergencies in children. Dental caries will be studied in depth, from microbiology to pathology and diagnosis and management alongside your pre-clinical training in operative dentistry. You will also study special senses, including pain and its management and control as well as immunology.

You should expect to learn through attending a variety of teaching events, for example: lectures, practicals and online learning.

In this module, through lectures and practicals in the clinical skills learning environment, you will acquire and develop the knowledge and skills to be able to undertake routine operative dentistry procedures for patients of all ages, including the principles of dental anaesthesia.

You will develop the skills in clinical record keeping, including clinical photography, and compliance with clinical governance and health and safety policies. 

Sustainable oral health care will be introduced, and you will learn about both the environmental and patient compliance aspects. 

You will learn about the structure and properties of the materials commonly used for dental operative procedures.

This module includes attendance outside of routine University term dates to ensure sufficient class contact time for progression to the clinical setting.  This module's assessments are a gateway to treatment of patients in a clinical setting for procedures taught in this module.

You will attend dental clinics where you will carry out supervised treatment on patients safely and efficiently. You will gain the ability to examine patients systematically, formulate diagnoses and develop treatment plans tailored to your patients' individual needs. You will also learn how to carry out a range of special tests to aid diagnosis and treatment plans.

In this module you will adopt the principles and requirements of professional practice as they relate to professional standards such as patient-centred approach, confidentiality, and valid consent. You will develop your team working skills necessary to work effectively and efficiently as part of a multidisciplinary team. You will develop communication skills essential for professional practice. Your professional behaviour will be assessed through tutor observation as part of your clinical portfolio. 

This module includes attendance outside of routine University term dates to ensure sufficient patient contact time.

Building on sciences you have learnt in Year 1, this module will teach you about human diseases, focusing on those that are particularly relevant when providing safe dental care. You will start with the basics of cell and molecular biology before moving on to practical skills such as taking patient histories related to various body systems, such as the cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems. You will also learn how to measure vital signs and administer injections in a clinical skills setting.

In addition, the module introduces common disease treatments and the microbiology of infections, along with their management. You will learn the fundamentals of radiography and X-ray imaging.

In this module you will acquire and develop the knowledge and skills to be able to undertake further operative dentistry procedures for patients of all ages.

You will learn about the classification, histology and microbiology of pulp and periapical disease and treatment of disease of the tooth pulp.

You will further develop your skills in restorative dentistry, learning how to restore teeth affected by deep caries, and will learn about the materials used for restoration of the hard tissue. The treatment of acute periodontal conditions will be taught, including treatment options. You will also be introduced to dental implants and how they are maintained in the mouth.

You will also learn about safeguarding and special care dentistry.

Building on the principles of patient-centred care from year 1, in this module you will learn to communicate effectively with diverse patients in different contexts, emphasising the importance of adaptability. This includes understanding patients' health literacy and how dental professionals' cultural competence ensures effective communication across populations. You will also explore dental anxiety: its prevalence, impact, and strategies for prevention, management, and reduction. Furthermore, you will learn specific communication approaches and challenges when providing oral healthcare to children. You will consider the communication skills necessary for challenging consultations, including delivering bad news.

You will be introduced to the concepts of social accountability and a public health perspective in dentistry. 

You will consider oral health promotion and its aim to address the social determinants, to improve oral health at individual, community, and population levels.

This module aims to build your personal and professional development by applying knowledge from previous modules in the programme.

You will design an oral health promotion intervention for a specific group, using knowledge of the population approach to health, health promotion, determinants of health, critical appraisal, and writing skills. In addition, you will learn about ethical considerations of what you plan. You will then continue with your project in the 3rd year of study.

Secondly, in small groups, you will consider clinical scenarios that have legal, ethical, and communication challenges. Collectively and individually, you will consider how to respond to and manage them through various communication methods and using your ethical reasoning that you learned in previous modules and using teamwork.

In this module you will continue to develop your knowledge as you learn about special care dentistry, primary tooth dental extractions, and principles of child management. You will learn about advanced periodontal instrumentation, orthodontics, indirect restorations such as crowns and bridges, and removable prosthesis such as dentures. You will develop your knowledge of systemic conditions and how these impact oral health and the care that you provide.  

You will develop your professional practice as you attend clinics in operative dentistry, paediatric dentistry and specialist rotations. During these clinical sessions, you may observe procedures, assist others in treating patients, or provide dental care yourself. You will attend paediatric dentistry general anaesthesia clinics and carry out dental extractions. You will continue to develop your communication skills and work as part of a multidisciplinary team.  Your professional behaviour will be assessed through tutor observation as part of your clinical portfolio. 

Towards the end of this module, you will be introduced to our Outreach placements and further clinical rotations in preparation for semester two.  Alongside these, you will further develop your knowledge on the National Health Service, and the oral healthcare team and how skill mix can work in dentistry.

The module will be taught by using lectures, tutorials, clinical skills and patient clinics.

In this module you will continue to develop your professional practice as you attend clinics in operative dentistry, paediatric dentistry, outreach and specialist rotations. During these clinical sessions, you may observe procedures, assist others in treating patients, or provide dental care yourself. You will attend paediatric dentistry general anaesthesia clinics and carry out dental extractions of primary teeth. You will continue to develop your communication skills and work as part of a multidisciplinary team. You will build on the knowledge you gained in year 1 to learn how to take various dental radiographs and how to interpret and report on these.

This module aims to extend your personal and professional development by applying knowledge and skills learned throughout your programme, particularly in relation to public health and health promotion.

Having designed your oral health promotion intervention and received ethical approval, you will implement, evaluate and report on your oral health promotion intervention that you designed for the target group identified. In doing this, you will gain experience and skills in health advocacy, collaboration, management of time and resources, academic report writing, and reflection.

In this module you will build on the knowledge you gained throughout your programme to learn about the aetiology, diagnosis and management of oral diseases, including oral cancer. The module also covers how ageing can impact oral health.

You will gain a thorough understanding of the different types of periodontal surgery and post-operative care. You will learn about public health, dental public health and preventing oral diseases and promoting oral health at a population level. You will take part in interactive tutorials to develop your knowledge and understanding of teamwork, leadership and management in dentistry.

To prepare you for a successful career as a dental professional, you will consolidate your knowledge of the legal, ethical and professional obligations that underpin responsible dental care and practice management.

In this module through lectures, seminars and clinical practice, you will refine and continue to develop further your holistic professional practice. You will attend clinics in operative dentistry, direct access and specialist rotations. During these clinical sessions, you may observe procedures, assist others treating patients, or provide dental care yourself. You will also continue to refine your communication skills and work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

In preparation for your transition to dental practice upon graduation, you will have tutorials on job searching, completing application forms and interview techniques.