Dental hygienist
Dental hygienists work to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, and give customers advice on how to improve their oral health.
Typical Salary
£28,000 – £43,000
per year
Working Hours
37–40
hours per week
Day-to-day tasks
As a dental hygienist, you could:
- clean and polish teeth to help prevent cavities and gum disease
- apply dental sealants to protect against tooth decay
- demonstrate tooth brushing and flossing techniques
- refer clients to a dentist should further treatment be needed
- promote good oral healthcare to children and adults
- update and maintain patient records
Skills needed
- knowledge of medicine and dentistry
- customer service skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- excellent verbal communication skills
- sensitivity and understanding
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to work well with your hands
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to get into this role
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- working towards this role
Career progression
With experience and more training, you could:
- specialise in a particular area, like children's teeth
- become a manager of a dental practice
- teach dental hygienist students
- move into a related job, such as a dental therapist or health promotion specialist
- become a dental hygienist in the Royal Navy, if you're already registered with the General Dental Council