Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy Higher Education Diploma
Gain professional accreditation as a dental hygienist and dental therapist with this 27-month full-time course, starting in April. You’ll learn alongside dental surgery students in a way that prepares you for the realities of working in a dental practice, and our outreach programme means you can treat patients of all ages and backgrounds in real work environments.
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A Levels
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UCAS code
DENU103 -
Duration
27 months -
Start date
April -
Attendance
Full-time
- Accredited
- Course fee
- Funding available
- Clinical placement
Explore this course:
This course is no longer taking applications for 2026-27 entry. View 2027-28 entry or find another undergraduate course.
Course description
Why study this course?
Qualify in just 27 months
By the end of the course, you will be fully qualified and able to start your new career as a dental hygienist or dental therapist.
Learn as part of a team
We believe in training the dental team together. You’ll learn alongside BDS students in a way that prepares you for the realities of working in a dental practice.
Have an impact in your local community
You'll develop an oral health promotion project and take part in outreach placements, learning about public health.
You will be taught by a multidisciplinary team which includes experienced dental professionals, biomedical scientists and social scientists. Many of our staff are involved in world-leading research, so you'll also learn about the latest techniques and advances in the field of dentistry.
You’ll learn alongside dental surgery students in a way that prepares you for the realities of working in a dental practice. We place great emphasis on helping you become a caring, competent and confident member of the dental team.
What you’ll study
After an introduction to essential anatomy and physiology, you’ll begin clinical skills training so that you can treat patients. This includes sessions in our state-of-the-art simulation suite, where you can practise dentistry in a virtual reality environment. You will also use "phantom heads" in our clinical skills learning environment, and you will visit clinics to help build your confidence in a working environment. Within months you’ll start treating patients.
By the time you reach the third year and the last few months of the course, you will have acquired a vast range of knowledge, skills and experience. Our teaching will inform you of the important issues you will confront in the workplace and help ensure you leave the University as a well-rounded professional.
Accreditation
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.
Modules
There may be changes before you begin your studies. As you progress through your course, we’ll confirm additional details of what you will study.
UCAS code: DENU103
Years: 2026
At the beginning of the first year, you’ll develop your understanding of the anatomy and physiology relevant to dentistry. You’ll also be introduced to a range of study skills to help you thrive at University.
Within the first month, you’ll begin clinical skills training so you can treat patients. You’ll be introduced to the concept of putting patients’ needs first, as well as careful and thorough instrumentation. Alongside this you’ll visit and assist at clinics to help build your confidence and communication skills in a clinical environment – we place great emphasis on helping you become a caring, competent and confident member of the dental team.
Throughout the first year, you’ll also develop your knowledge and understanding in other subject areas including law, ethics and professionalism, health promotion and education and oral disease. Our course is very dynamic and within no time you’ll be treating patients under close supervision in the Dental Hospital.
Highlights
Virtual reality operative dentistry
During your first year, you'll benefit from our simulation suite, where you can practise dentistry in a virtual reality environment. This state-of-the-art, innovative technology provides real-life visual, auditory and tactile sensory feedback and will enable you to learn, develop and improve your operative dentistry skills. This fun learning and teaching opportunity is a unique feature of our programme and complements the ‘traditional’ training you will undertake in the clinical skills learning environment on ‘phantom heads’.
Integrated learning and teaching
At Sheffield, we recognise the importance of training the dental team together. During your first year, you’ll complete some of your clinical skills training alongside our dentistry students. You’ll also attend a series of integrated lectures. This integrated teaching approach will help prepare you better for practice.
Themes
Currently, our first-year learning and teaching is divided into the following themes:
- Study Skills and Personal Development
- Dental Foundation
- The Human Body in Health and Disease
- Law, Ethics and Professionalism
- Pre-Clinical Skills I
- Health Promotion and Education I
- Clinical Practice
- Oral Disease I
- Pre-Clinical Skills II
- Pre-Clinical Skills III
- Health Promotion and Education II
- Dental Radiology and Radiography
The second year is mainly clinical – you’ll be treating your own patients and will be expected to show a commitment to compassionate, high-quality care. You’ll rotate around different specialist departments within the Charles Clifford Dental Hospital, helping to broaden your clinical experience.
There will be the opportunity to attend Sheffield Children’s Hospital to assist with oral surgery and you’ll visit care homes to train staff in oral health care. You’ll also benefit from clinical experience in the School’s Dental Practice Unit. In addition, you’ll further your knowledge and understanding in important areas of dentistry.
Highlights
Oral health promotion project
During your second year, you will work towards an oral health promotion project. Oral health promotion is one of the roles pivotal to all dental personnel and this project will allow you to plan and deliver your very own scheme to promote oral health for a targeted group of people. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact, with previous schemes launched in primary schools and residential care homes.
Outreach training
During the second year, you will spend part of your time working as a team in primary care settings currently in and around Sheffield and South Yorkshire. We use carefully selected placements in community dental services and general dental practices. Our pioneering outreach training programme provides a real working environment to encourage your professional development. It will give you an exciting opportunity to see and treat a variety of patients and maximise your clinical and communication skills.
As a working member of a dental team, you will learn from the inside how the services operate and gradually build confidence and speed of working in your new role. Transferring skills learned in the Dental Hospital to new working environments should ease your move into employment upon qualification.
Many students find this outreach training a challenging but rewarding and reassuring part of the course. It’s one of the most rigorous placement programmes in the UK, giving you a head start in your career.
Themes
Currently, our second-year learning and teaching is divided up into the following themes:
- Clinical Practice
- Dental Radiology and Radiography
- Health Promotion and Education III
- Outreach
- Oral Disease II
- Principles of Practice
The third year consists of one term only.
By the time you reach the third year and the last few months of the course, you will have acquired a vast range of knowledge, skills and experience. Our principles of practice theme will inform you of the important issues you will confront in the workplace and help ensure you begin your career as a well-rounded professional.
Highlights
Near-peer teaching
During the third year, you will have the opportunity to apply for the innovative near-peer teaching scheme. If your application is successful, you’ll take on the role of clinical tutor, teaching our junior students as part of their pre-clinical skills training. It will enable you to develop expertise in teaching, give you an insight into the clinical teaching profession and consolidate your previous learning. Many students have found this scheme very rewarding and enjoyable.
Themes
Currently, our third-year learning and teaching is a continuation of our second-year themes.
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we will inform students and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Learning and assessment
Learning
You'll learn through lectures, clinical skills teaching, clinical sessions and tutorials. A strong emphasis is also placed on directed self-learning.
Many of our staff are internationally respected for their research. Some are general dental practitioners with years of clinical experience.
Assessment
Throughout the course, you will be assessed by a variety of methods including written and practical examinations, assignments and an extensive project. As part of your final examination you will present a patient for whom you have provided an extensive range of treatments.
You'll also have to demonstrate your clinical competence in a range of key clinical skills expected of a qualified dental hygienist and dental therapist. Through our broad range of assessment methods you will develop a wide range of transferable skills.
We are planning several changes to the Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy programme that are likely to be in place for 2027 entry and beyond. If you are planning to start your Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy programme in 2026, there are some ways in which these changes may impact your studies.
Entry requirements
These are the minimum requirements for our April 2026 intake that must be met by the deadline for receipt of applications. Pending qualifications, due after the deadline for receipt of applications, will not be taken into consideration.
- 5 GCSE at grade C / grade 4 to include Mathematics, English Language and Science.
Plus one of the following options:
Level 3/4 Dental Nurse Qualification plus 1 A Level in a relevant Science subject (preferably Biology) at grade C.
Post-qualification certificates in Dental Nursing can strengthen an application but cannot be used to meet the minimum requirements.
- Level 5/6 Dental Nurse Qualification.
- 2 A Levels to include one in a relevant Science subject (preferably Biology) at grade CC.
- Access to Higher Education Diploma (60 credits with 45 at Level 3 at grade Merit) including 36 Level 3 credits in relevant Science units (preferably Biology) at grade Merit.
An Access to Higher Education Diploma can also be used in lieu of two GCSEs. However, you must still have GCSE Grade C/Level 4 in Mathematics, English Language and Science.
- BTEC National Diploma at grade MM including 90 credits or 540 GLH of relevant Science subjects (preferably Biology) at grade Merit.
- 2:2 degree in a relevant scientific subject.
We will consider other national and international qualifications on an individual basis. If your qualifications aren’t listed here, please contact us to discuss your application.
Applicants with international qualifications are also encouraged to submit a certificate of comparability from UK NARIC with their application form.
Proof of all qualifications will be required.
- Clinical requirements
Our School also has a series of clinical requirements for clinical students. Before accepting an offer of a place, you must confirm you will comply these requirements.
- Personal qualities and career exploration
You must possess a high level of manual dexterity and demonstrate attention to detail. You must also demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills, and have the ability to work as a team, think logically and respond positively to feedback. You must have a genuine interest in the care and treatment of patients, be empathetic and act without discrimination.
You should be able to demonstrate that you are making an informed choice to study dental hygiene and dental therapy. To do this, you should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the profession and explain what has attracted you to this career. You should be clear about the possible career opportunities and how these compare to other healthcare professions.
If possible, you should have experience working in or observing healthcare settings, ideally within general dental practice. You could also talk to dental care professionals to gain insights into the profession.
The school runs insight days where you can learn more about what it's like to be a dentistry student.
It also runs an online Discover Dentistry course. This course can offer a glimpse into the world of dentistry, but it's not essential. You do not need to pay any fees to access all of this course.
There are many other ways to gain insights into the profession, such as reading articles from the British Dental Journal Open website or visiting the General Dental Council's website.
We also seek to select dental students with values and behaviours which align with the values of the NHS constitution.
These are:
- Working together for patients
- Commitment to quality of care
- Improving lives
- Respect and dignity
- Compassion
- Everyone counts
The NHS core values form part of the NHS constitution. You are advised to take a look at the NHS constitution before you apply.
If your first language isn’t English, you may need to take a language test – for example, IELTS 7.0 with 6.5 in each component (the test should have been completed no more than two years before the start date of our course).
Equivalent English language qualifications
Visa and immigration requirements
Other qualifications | UK and EU/international
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school.
Graduate careers
Our graduates can register with the General Dental Council and work as dental hygienists and dental therapists in NHS and private dental practices as well as hospital services, community dental services or even the armed forces via the Ministry of Defence. Others go on to research and teaching roles within universities or hospital trusts.
There are also opportunities to work within multinational organisations specialising in healthcare and pharmaceutical products. You may even consider topping up your qualification to a degree, studying for a postgraduate qualification, or studying to become a dentist.
School of Clinical Dentistry
Department statistics
Top 10 in the UK for dentistry
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
The University of Sheffield is within the top 100 in the world for clinical and health subjects
Times Higher Education (THE) World Subject Rankings 2021
Dentistry students are based in the School of Clinical Dentistry. The School has a close working relationship with the adjacent Charles Clifford Dental Hospital, a specialist facility offering dental services to people in Sheffield and the surrounding areas. This is where most of our clinical teaching takes place.
We believe in training the whole team together. Our Dental Surgery and Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy students learn alongside each other in a way that helps to prepare them for practice. Our combination of integrated teaching and practical experience will help you become a caring, confident and highly-skilled dental professional.
Our teaching is driven by world-leading and internationally recognised research. You'll learn about the new techniques and advances that are rapidly taking place in the field of dentistry, and how to critically evaluate research and apply this to your practice.
We're committed to delivering an exceptional student experience. Our staff are involved in the quality assurance of teaching in Sheffield and at other universities. Many have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to learning and teaching through professional bodies such as the Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE), Faculty of Dental Trainers (FDT) and the Higher Education Academy (HEA). Some have gained national recognition, such as the ADEE Excellence in Dental Education Award, Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and National Teaching Fellow. The School is also recognised as a leader in the field of environmental sustainability in dental education.
Facilities
Our teaching is underpinned by state-of-the-art clinical skills training facilities.
Alongside your clinical placements, you’ll spend a significant amount of time in our clinical skills learning environment and virtual reality (VR) simulation suite. These cutting-edge facilities are fitted with the same equipment used by qualified dental teams, alongside ‘phantom head’ and VR simulators which you’ll use to practise and perfect techniques - from fillings to extractions.
You’ll also benefit from expert-led anatomy and histology teaching, utilising real human plastinated specimens and Anatomage tables, one of the most advanced 3D anatomy visualisation tools available.
Explore our dentistry facilities
These are just some of the facilities that dentistry students can access
University rankings
A world top-100 university
QS World University Rankings 2027 (82nd)
Number one in the Russell Group for student voice
National Student Survey 2026
92 per cent of our research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent
Research Excellence Framework 2021
University of the Year for Student Experience
The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
Number one Students' Union in the UK
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
Number one for Students' Union
StudentCrowd 2025 University Awards
7th best University for Work Experience
Higherin 2026-27
Student profiles
Fees and funding
Fees
As part of your tuition fee you'll receive a DBS check, Occupational Health Clearance, and clinical attire.
You are responsible for supplying appropriate footwear for clinics (estimated £40) and for laundering your clinical attire (estimated £0.50 per load). You are also responsible for supplying a paper diary for booking patient appointments (estimated £2 per year).
You're required to provide minimal costs for travel to deliver oral health promotion/education activities when appropriate (estimated £20).
You're required to provide upfront costs for travel to outreach placements (estimated £200). For eligible students, the NHS Business Services Authority will reimburse excess travel costs incurred when undertaking outreach placement training.
If you choose to print materials for your oral health promotion project, you will need to pay the printing costs.
If you choose to register for the DBS Update Service registration (£16 a year in 2026) or purchase clinical operating magnification loupes (estimated £1000) then you will need to pay for these.
Additional costs
The annual fee for your undergraduate course includes a number of items in addition to your tuition. If an item or activity is classed as a compulsory element for your course, it will normally be included in your tuition fee. There are also other costs which you may need to consider. These costs may increase due to price increases outside of the University’s control, if you defer entry or if you choose to change course.
Examples of what’s included and excluded in undergraduate fees
Funding your study
Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a bursary, scholarship or loan to help fund your study and enhance your learning experience.
Use our Student Funding Calculator to work out what you’re eligible for.
Additional funding
All eligible home students can apply for additional funding support from the NHS Learning Support Fund (NHS LSF). This includes a training grant of £5,000 per academic year.
Clinical outreach programme
Our outreach programme is one of the most rigorous placement programmes in the UK. Treating patients of all ages and backgrounds in real work environments will allow you to develop both your practical and interpersonal skills, so that you are well prepared to start your career.
Visit
University open days
We host five open days each year, usually in June, July, September, October and November. You can talk to staff and students, tour the campus and see inside the accommodation.
Online events
Join our weekly Sheffield Live online sessions to find out more about different aspects of University life.
Subject tasters
If you’re considering your post-16 options, our interactive subject tasters are for you. There are a wide range of subjects to choose from and you can attend sessions online or on campus.
Offer holder days
If you've made an application to study with us, we may invite you for an interview. If you are then successful in receiving an offer, we'll invite you to one of our applicant days. These applicant days have a strong department focus and give you the chance to really explore student life here, even if you've visited us before.
Campus tours
Our weekly guided tours show you what Sheffield has to offer - both on campus and beyond. You can extend your visit with tours of our city, accommodation or sport facilities.
Apply
This programme is no longer accepting new applications. We now have a BSc course in Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy which is open for applications for 2027 entry:
The awarding body for this course is the University of Sheffield.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.