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
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
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 3 months 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
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

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