BSc (Hons) Dental Therapy and Hygiene

• Year 1

• In your first year, you'll explore the scientific basis of normal structure, function and behaviour, focusing on dental health, prevention of dental disease and the underlying principles of personal and professional development. You'll be introduced to the clinic and the Simulated Dental Learning Environment (SDLE) at an early stage, and gain insight into the importance of team working in dentistry as you integrate with other members of the team and work in small study groups.

  Core modules

  BDT411
  Integrated Dental Science 1 (BDT) 40 credits

  This module introduces basic and clinical sciences and the principles of human disease prevention which underpin dental skills, the safe use of ionising radiation together with the properties and usage of biomaterials in dentistry.

  BDT412
  Clinical Dental Practice 1 (BDT) 40 credits

  This module provides DTH students with an introduction to clinical dentistry and the management of medical emergencies. It provides a gateway check point to ensure students are ready to commence providing safe dental care for patients.

  BDT414
  Inter-Professional Engagement 1 (BDT) 20 credits

  The module introduces students to community health & social care. Students will undertake a community engagement visit and work closely with a target organisation to understand the impacts of demographic variation and lifestyle issues on local people. The project will enable students to develop an understanding of the wider determinants of health, introduce core academic skills and develop societal and community awareness.

  HIPL400
  Interprofessional Learning 1

  BDT415
  Professional Development and Lifelong Learning 1 (BDT)

  This module introduces students to reflective adult learning and assists with the development of professional behaviour and attitudes appropriate to training in dental therapy. Every term the student will meet their Academic Tutor and reflect and review on their performance in all aspects of professionalism within the BSc DTH programmes by presentation of written critical reflections and discussion.

• Year 2

• In your second year, you'll build on the foundations you've put in place so far – you'll consider common dental problems, as well as disease mechanisms, in much greater depth. You'll develop your clinical skills further and apply what you have learnt to the realities of dental practice.

  Core modules

  BDT521
  Applied Dental Therapy Knowledge 1 20 credits

  This module enables students to achieve the level of knowledge of clinical and communication skills, professionalism and management and leadership skills required of a graduate entering primary care as a new Dental Therapy graduate. Topic areas include basic sciences as applied to dentistry, and knowledge of the comprehensive delivery of clinical dentistry including: restorative dentistry for children and adults; dental radiology; oral surgery; pharmacology and therapeutics; oral medicine; oral pathology; medicine and surgery applied to dentistry; preventive dentistry; dental public health; evidence-based dentistry; health & safety; communication skills; professionalism; law & ethics; and management & leadership.

  BDT525
  Dental Therapy Inter-Professional Engagement 2 20 credits

  In year two of the programme, students are able to build on their learning from the year one inter-professional engagement project by focusing on a single community-based organisation within Devon and Cornwall. Students in small groups visit organisations to develop an understanding of how these organisations support particular community groups and/or individuals to adopt positive healthy lifestyles and how they help their clients/service users to overcome the social and organisational barriers that prevent them from achieving this.

  HIPL500
  Interprofessional Learning 2

  BDT526
  Developing Clinical Practice

  This module is developing the students' essential range of basic dental skills needed for the safe practice of primary dental care by Dental Therapists and Hygienists. It provides training and assessment of dental skills competency in the simulated environment, accompanied by development of clinical skills to support of the students' first experiences of caring for patients.

  BDT527
  Dental Therapy Professional Development and Lifelong Learning 2

  This module supports students to further develop reflective adult learning skills and self-awareness and assists with the development of professional behaviour and attitudes appropriate to dentistry. Every term the student will meet their Academic Tutor and reflect and review on their performance in all aspects of professionalism within the BSc DTH programme.

• Final year

• Your final year is devoted to furthering your clinical experience and is the final preparation for dental practice. You'll become much more confident with clinical situations, healthcare teams and the principles of practice. You’ll plan multidisciplinary case presentations, designed to demonstrate that you’re capable and confident in the planning and delivery of all procedures necessary to provide optimal oral healthcare for patients.

  Core modules

  BDT631
  Applied Dental Therapy Knowledge 2 20 credits

  This module enables students to achieve the level of knowledge of clinical and communication skills, professionalism and management and leadership skills required of a graduate entering primary care as a new Dental Therapy graduate. Topic areas include basic sciences as applied to dentistry, and knowledge of the comprehensive delivery of clinical dentistry including: restorative dentistry for children and adults; dental radiology; oral surgery; pharmacology and therapeutics; oral medicine; oral pathology; medicine and surgery applied to dentistry; preventive dentistry; dental public health; evidence-based dentistry; health & safety; communication skills; professionalism; law & ethics; and management & leadership.

  BDT632
  Proficient Clinical Practice 60 credits

  This module provides students with continuing clinical experience treating patients with more complex needs, working closely with dental students and dental nurses in the dental team.

  BDT634
  Inter-Professional Engagement: Quality Improvement 20 credits

  This module develops core academic skills, introduced earlier in the programme such as engaging critically with evidence, writing scientifically, and using appropriate sources of information. These skills are applied through a quality improvement project, in which students review the quality of clinical practice through the use of a clinical audit.

  HIPL600
  Interprofessional Learning 3

  BDT635
  Dental Therapy Professional Development and Lifelong Learning 3

  This module supports students to further develop reflective adult learning skills, self-awareness, evidence based practice skills and assists with the development of professional behaviour and attitudes appropriate to dentistry. Every term the student will meet their Academic Tutor and reflect and review on their performance in all aspects of professionalism within the BSc DTH programme.

BSc Hons Dental Therapy Hygiene Programme Specification 2024 25 7242

None of the typical offers listed below are necessarily the threshold for interview selection. Other factors including the number of applications received may influence the threshold for interview selection.

GCSE
Applicants need to achieve 6 GCSE passes (grade C/grade 4 or higher) which must include the following subjects:

A Level
The typical offer is ABB at GCE A Level, which must include Biology.
General studies at GCE A or AS level is not included in any offer.
We are only able to consider Level 3 qualifications completed within five years of the start of the application cycle. For example, qualifications completed since 2019 would still be valid when applying in September 2024.

National Certificate or Diploma in Dental Nursing, plus 2 A Levels at grade BB, must include Biology.

If you are unsure whether your qualification is suitable, please contact meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

City & Guilds Extended Diploma in Dental Nursing
Grade Distinction + 2 A levels at grade AB (to include Biology and a second science).

BTEC National Extended Diploma
DDD in a predominantly science subject area. As desirable, an A-level in Biology is also strongly advised alongside this qualification at grade B.

BTEC National Diploma
DD in addition to an A-Level in Biology at grade B is mandatory.

Access to Higher Education Diploma
Pass an Access course in a predominantly Science subject. 60 credits overall to include 45 level 3 credits, of which 15 level 3 credits must be in Biology or Human Biology. You must achieve Merit or Distinction in 33 level 3 credits, including the 15 credits in Biology or Human Biology. As desirable, an A-level in Biology is also strongly advised alongside this qualification at grade B.

Other accepted qualifications
For information regarding all other accepted qualifications, including the International Baccalaureate, Scottish Advanced Highers and Irish Leaving Certificate, please contact the Admissions Team at meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To confirm whether your qualification will be considered, please contact meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

All teaching at our school is in English, so if you are an international applicant you must have one of the following English Language qualifications. If you are unsure whether your English Language qualification is suitable, please contact meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk:

If English is your first language, we will accept your home country’s equivalent providing it is at Level C1 or above according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

Students whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by achieving one of the following qualifications:

We know that university life is a challenge for any student but especially when you are a long way from home. You will find us friendly and supportive. We pride ourselves on being friendly and supportive, and have a nominated academic tutor to coordinate the induction and academic support provided to international students. International student advice also provide support and can assist you with any non-academic issues affecting international students. There are also student welfare support and counselling services, wardens and student health centres on hand if you need them.

Students who have an offer of a place should apply under for a Student (formerly Tier 4 General Student) visa. Further information is available on the UK Border Agency's website.
Selection and admissions process

Applications should be made through UCAS by the published deadline. This is typically 15 January.
All decisions on applications are made by the Admissions Advisory Panel, which consists of academics, clinicians and senior members of the administrative team.

The University of Plymouth Medicine and Dentistry Admissions Team process applications as follows:

1. Shortlisting for interview– Applicants are considered for interview based on relevant academic qualifications alone. We do not currently consider personal statements or work experience when selecting for interview
The Admissions Advisory Panel consider many factors when choosing who will be invited to attend an interview, including the number of places available on the course and the number of applications received, alongside the academic profiles of all of our applicants

2. Interview – Successful applicants are invited to attend an interview process. We use Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) as the format for our interviews, and full details can be found on the Medicine and Dentistry selection and admissions process page.

Following interviews, candidates are ranked based on the score achieved and the top performing applicants are offered a place on the course

3. Offer – Offers are made via UCAS. Within all offers, candidates are required to complete a series of health and police checks, full details of which are communicated to firm offer holders by the Admissions Team.

Practising as a doctor requires the highest standards and we take seriously our commitment to only enrol and teach students with the integrity required of the profession. Full details can be found on our Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise page.

Full details of our selection and admissions process can be found on our Medicine and Dentistry selection and admissions process page.

Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise
Please view our Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise page.

Re-sit applicants
Re-sit applicants are considered for this course, with the following requirements:

We do not have an AS Level resit policy, however, full A Levels must be completed within the above timeframe.

For re-sit criteria of other qualifications, please contact the Admissions Team at meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Students must be 18 years old or over at the start date of this programme.

All applications must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Please refer to the UCAS website for details of the application deadline.

The UCAS code for the Faculty of Health is P60 PLYM.

For more information contact the Admissions Team:
Admissions Team
Faculty of Health
The John Bull Building
Tamar Science Park
Plymouth
PL6 8BU

Telephone: +44 1752 583222
Fax: +44 1752 517842

Email: meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk