The Student Room Group

route to being a hygienist

hi there ,
I have just stumbled upon this route but my alevls are completely off track and reset snot too great I got a PHYSCOLOGY-C, ECONOMICS-D, COMPUTING-E
I am interested in studying dental hygiene in uni but looking at options to getting quicker and securing a place into uni.

from what I have understood the options are

-- register for a dental nurse course or an apprenticeship followed by a level 4 in oral health. but can't find any specific information if that's good enough to then apply for uni place
OR
--do a foundation degree in oral health at uni of Essex which then says you are a dental hygienist .

--question is how difference is the course taught at university which is a bachelors to the foundation degree taught at Essex ?

any help , advice will be appreciated - as I am a novice and just trying to see all options and routes .
thanks
(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 1

Original post by Farizk
hi there ,
I have just stumbled upon this route but my alevls are completely off track and reset snot too great I got a PHYSCOLOGY-C, ECONOMICS-D, COMPUTING-E
I am interested in studying dental hygiene in uni but looking at options to getting quicker and securing a place into uni.
from what I have understood the options are
-- register for a dental nurse course or an apprenticeship followed by a level 4 in oral health. but can't find any specific information if that's good enough to then apply for uni place
OR
--do a foundation degree in oral health at uni of Essex which then says you are a dental hygienist .
--question is how difference is the course taught at university which is a bachelors to the foundation degree taught at Essex ?
any help , advice will be appreciated - as I am a novice and just trying to see all options and routes .
thanks

Hey I applied for the oral sciences course at uni of Essex with only my dental nursing diploma ( I did an apprenticeship) and I have no alevels just gcses. And I got offered an interview, I’ve heard it can depend on ur personal statement too, as I’ve seen a girl on here who’s been a dental nurse for 12 years and has never been accepted whilst constantly trying for 5 years.

But if ur doing dental nursing I’d recommend doing either an access course on the side or something like radiology/ oral health any other dental course to back up ur application.

The foundation degree will allow u to be registered as a dental hygienist, whilst the bachelors is an optional degree for hygienists who want to also be a dental therapist xx

Reply 2

Original post by Mare2003
Hey I applied for the oral sciences course at uni of Essex with only my dental nursing diploma ( I did an apprenticeship) and I have no alevels just gcses. And I got offered an interview, I’ve heard it can depend on ur personal statement too, as I’ve seen a girl on here who’s been a dental nurse for 12 years and has never been accepted whilst constantly trying for 5 years.
But if ur doing dental nursing I’d recommend doing either an access course on the side or something like radiology/ oral health any other dental course to back up ur application.
The foundation degree will allow u to be registered as a dental hygienist, whilst the bachelors is an optional degree for hygienists who want to also be a dental therapist xx


Hi did you have any other qualifications after nursing? I didn’t even get an interview and I also have access

Reply 3

Original post by Aaxmh
Hi did you have any other qualifications after nursing? I didn’t even get an interview and I also have access

No I have no other qualifications apart from GCSEs, my friend also only has a dental nursing diploma and he’s in the middle of his access course rn and also got an interview so I’m guessing ur personal statement makes a difference too?xx

Reply 4

Original post by Mare2003
No I have no other qualifications apart from GCSEs, my friend also only has a dental nursing diploma and he’s in the middle of his access course rn and also got an interview so I’m guessing ur personal statement makes a difference too?xx


hey i also wanted to ask if i could do a certificate of health and social care at essex as they gave me an offer for that and not dental hygiene which i initially applied for then do dental hygiene at any university afterwards? they haven’t given me much information on it sadly so i was wondering

Reply 5

Original post by Mare2003
Hey I applied for the oral sciences course at uni of Essex with only my dental nursing diploma ( I did an apprenticeship) and I have no alevels just gcses. And I got offered an interview, I’ve heard it can depend on ur personal statement too, as I’ve seen a girl on here who’s been a dental nurse for 12 years and has never been accepted whilst constantly trying for 5 years.
But if ur doing dental nursing I’d recommend doing either an access course on the side or something like radiology/ oral health any other dental course to back up ur application.
The foundation degree will allow u to be registered as a dental hygienist, whilst the bachelors is an optional degree for hygienists who want to also be a dental therapist xx

Hi please can you advise help on the interview questions? And tips I have an upcoming interview and very nervous. Also advice on personal statement

Reply 6

Original post by Mare2003
Hey I applied for the oral sciences course at uni of Essex with only my dental nursing diploma ( I did an apprenticeship) and I have no alevels just gcses. And I got offered an interview, I’ve heard it can depend on ur personal statement too, as I’ve seen a girl on here who’s been a dental nurse for 12 years and has never been accepted whilst constantly trying for 5 years.
But if ur doing dental nursing I’d recommend doing either an access course on the side or something like radiology/ oral health any other dental course to back up ur application.
The foundation degree will allow u to be registered as a dental hygienist, whilst the bachelors is an optional degree for hygienists who want to also be a dental therapist xx


Hi , hope your well. please let us knw for any tips for personal statement that you believe made you a difference in getting a interview,
Original post by Jetaternava19
Hi , hope your well. please let us knw for any tips for personal statement that you believe made you a difference in getting a interview,

Hiya @Jetaternava19 !
Here are some tips for your personal statement that we recommend at Essex.🤩
Personal statement | University of Essex

Cat-Essex Official Rep
(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 8

Hey there! I want to become a hygienist, im a dental nurse but I don't have A levels. Wondered which path would be better to access to uni? A levels or access to higher education course? I'm a bit lost, im not original from England and really don't know how access to university works here. Any advice would be really appreciated it. Thank you xxx

Reply 9

Original post by Isabela13
Hey there! I want to become a hygienist, im a dental nurse but I don't have A levels. Wondered which path would be better to access to uni? A levels or access to higher education course? I'm a bit lost, im not original from England and really don't know how access to university works here. Any advice would be really appreciated it. Thank you xxx

Hiya @Isabela13 !

I think the best way to became a hygienist is to start with a foundation course that will then enable you to enrol in a normal degree.
Have a look in our website: FdSc Oral Health Science - Oral Health Science Degree | University of Essex / School of Health and Social Care | University of Essex

If you have any more questions please don't hesitate in messaging me.

Cat-Essex Official Rep

Quick Reply