BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Therapy Bachelor's degree at the University of Lincoln

Introduces foundational principles supporting safe and effective dental practice. Builds core knowledge across integrated biomedical sciences, including anatomy, histology, physiology, cell biology, neuroscience, microbiology, and pathology, with focus on oral health and disease. Explores causes of oral diseases, infection prevention and control, safe use of ionising radiation, and relevant statutory regulatory requirements.

Explores principles of community health and social care, focusing on wider determinants of health and their impact on general and oral health outcomes. Examines how environmental, social, economic and demographic factors influence health behaviours, access to services and health inequalities. Introduces structure and function of community and social care systems and develops foundational academic skills in evidence searching, critical appraisal and interpretation.

Prepares students for safe delivery of introductory, patient-centred clinical skills within simulated learning environment. Develops fundamental competencies required for early-stage dental hygiene and dental therapy practice, focusing on clinical procedures, patient assessment, and record management. Includes clinical examination, non-surgical periodontal care, preventive treatments, restorative techniques, and infection prevention and control.

Introduces fundamental principles of professionalism within dental practice, focusing on expected behavioural standards, effective communication, and reflective practice. Explores ethical and legal responsibilities while developing awareness of attributes required of safe and competent dental care professionals. Supports early formation of professional identity and encourages commitment to continuous improvement and high standards of patient-centred care.

Develops integrated understanding of scientific, clinical, behavioural and professional principles underpinning oral and dental diseases. Revisits and extends core concepts with increasing complexity, autonomy and criticality within spiral curriculum framework. Applies knowledge to safe, effective and evidence-based management of patients within scope of dental hygienist and dental therapist practice. Key areas include infection prevention and control, biomaterials, radiographic principles, comm

Develops ability to locate, evaluate and apply evidence from authoritative sources to understand health issues within populations. Emphasises evidence-based approaches and critical appraisal of information to inform health improvement strategies. Explores how social, cultural and behavioural determinants influence population groups' perception and response to health needs. Includes community engagement project working collaboratively with external organisations.

Supports transition from simulated learning to supervised clinical practice, enabling safe, ethical and effective delivery of patient care. Consolidates and refines clinical competencies in patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, preventive care, non-surgical periodontal therapy and restorative techniques. Applies integrated scientific, behavioural and clinical knowledge to patient-centred care with emphasis on communication, radiographic principles, and management of medical risk and

Develops ability to critically evaluate personal and professional performance in relation to standards, behaviours, and ethical and legal responsibilities of dental hygienist and dental therapist. Engages with reflective models and structured feedback to enhance self-awareness, communication, professionalism and professional identity. Supports development of accountable, patient-centred and evidence-informed practice aligned with General Dental Council Safe Practitioner Outcomes framework.

Longitudinal module developing integrated understanding of scientific, clinical, behavioural and professional principles underpinning oral and dental diseases. Uses spiral curriculum approach, revisiting and extending core concepts with increasing complexity, autonomy and criticality. Applies knowledge to safe, effective and evidence-based management of patients within scope of dental hygienist and dental therapist practice. Key areas include infection prevention and control, biomaterials, radio

Prepares students for independent practice as dental hygienists and dental therapists. Develops and demonstrates competence in assessing, diagnosing and managing oral health across patients of all ages, using appropriate techniques and materials within scope of practice. Emphasises clinical reasoning, autonomous patient management, and safe, ethical care, alongside understanding referral pathways, direct access, and regulatory frameworks. Aligns with General Dental Council requirements.

Capstone module enabling students to critically appraise evidence and demonstrate professional accountability in preparation for independent practice. Integrates knowledge, skills and behaviours developed across programme and applies evidence-based decision making to complex clinical and professional scenarios. Emphasises continuous improvement, ethical and legal awareness, and delivery of safe, autonomous and patient-centred care.

Develops ability to work effectively within interprofessional teams and contribute to quality improvement in dental and wider healthcare settings. Critically evaluates healthcare systems, clinical governance frameworks, and patient safety principles to support safe, effective and patient-centred care. Applies evidence-based strategies, quality improvement methods and reflective practice to enhance service delivery, patient outcomes and professional practice.