Dental Hygienist

Published

Hello all,

I live in the USA, but want to relocate to the UK mostly because my sister and brother lives there (in Northampton), and was wondering if anyone did the dental hygenist course.

I chose that because I was told that most schools are not taking international students for the nursing course, but was wondering if DH/therapy is a better course to study there. And if so, are there a lot of jobs for this field? Or what other medical field beside nursing is of great demand there?

Some may be wondering why do my schooling in the UK, like I said my family is there, and looking to relocate next year, so I don't think it make sense to start school here.

Any type of advice would be greatly appreciated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

To be honest I am not sure what the job situation in dental is like apart from the fact we are very short of NHS dentists. But what I can say is regardless of family living here you will be classed as international and have high fees to pay. You can only be classed for cheaper study if you have lived in the UK for 3 years even if you have a UK passport you need to have been a resident for the 3 years

Good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×
To be honest I am not sure what the job situation in dental is like apart from the fact we are very short of NHS dentists. But what I can say is regardless of family living here you will be classed as international and have high fees to pay. You can only be classed for cheaper study if you have lived in the UK for 3 years even if you have a UK passport you need to have been a resident for the 3 years

Good luck

I thank you for you reply to my question. I know that I would have to pay international fees, I was more wondering what medical field to go in beside nursing. Now I am wondering if I should do the DH course here, then move. My sister is also gathering information for me, which is a hugh help. There are 2 schools that sent me info already, so I would check out there school catalog and then decide.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't know much about hygiene in the UK, but I am a hygienist in the US and the schooling is very difficult and competative to get in to. Then if you pass all your board exams, the pay is very good. Then, after a couple of years the work is kind of monotonous and boring and hard on your neck, shoulders, wrists and hands. All in all it is a good career, but I wish I had pursued nursing to begin with. Now I will be starting school over and taking a pay cut, but I just can't see myself being a hygienist forever.

Hope this helps. If you would like, I can put you in touch with some UK hygienists via email.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi there, I used to work as a dental nurse before I became a hospital staff nurse. Dental Hygienist courses are hard to get into. There are limited places and usually they take people who have a dental nurse qualification. But that doesn't mean you wouldn't get in. Usually you need 5 GCSEs, O levels or Standard Grades, and 2 A levels or Highers. Usually people who are dental hygienists work in a few dental practices in the week to make up their pay as it's rare to work 5 days a week in the same practice. The hygienists I knew worked one day a week in 5 different practices as the dentist doesn't require the hygienist everyday. But I'm sure once you are on the course the tutors will help you to find jobs, etc.

Regarding other health related jobs. Always need nurses and auxillary nurses. What about radiography, physio, podiatry, occupational therapy or dietician.

Hope everything works out well for you, and remember to pack your thermals if you're moving over here!! x x

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion