Oral Health Science BSc

What is special about this course?

This leading degree in Oral Health Science offers prospective students (including school leavers, qualified dental nurses, and those who are considering a career change) the opportunity to train for a structured professional career in dental hygiene and dental therapy; a sector currently experiencing a shortage in skilled practitioners.

The role of dental hygienists and dental therapists is varied. You will provide clinical and educational care in the community, including prevention, fillings and treatment for periodontal (gum) disease. Strong values, an ethical approach and good communication skills, as well as the ability to work well in a team, are essential.

You will receive a thorough understanding in all aspects of dental care including the latest in practical skills and procedures. Delivered from our purpose-built dental buildings in Inverness, Stornoway and Dumfries, you will have access to state-of-the-art equipment and a highly skilled team of clinical and academic staff.

Special features

• The course is delivered from state-of-the-art training units at UHI House in Inverness, Dumfries Dental Centre and Western Isles Dental Centre in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
• You will learn clinical skills and undertake treatments in supervised patient clinics
• The course is taught and supported by a professional team of clinical and academic staff
• You will benefit from small group teaching
• The course is taught using a combination of face-to-face and online methods
• In your final year you will undertake a work placement in dental clinics situated across Scotland
• On completion of the full BSc you will be able to register with the General Dental Council as a dental hygienist and dental therapist

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

Entry requirements

• 4 Scottish Highers at grade B or above OR 
• 3 A levels at grade BCC or above
• One B grade must include a science subject, preferably Biology or Human Biology. English is also preferred
• For those who do not have English at Higher or A level then National 5 English at grade C or above, or GCSE English at B/5 or above is required
• A science-based HNC such as HNC Applied Sciences with grade B or above in the graded unit
• Applicants with a recognised Dental Nursing qualification will be considered. For those who hold this qualification, other Higher/A level qualifications must include a science subject
• Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience will be considered for the course on the basis of a portfolio of alternative evidence of the required knowledge and experience
• This is a Category 1 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required to successfully achieve target qualification, where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in key elements of the course. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage
• Please note: this course does not accept applications for deferred entry; if you wish to take a year out, for example, you must apply next year

Successful applicants must be passed fit by occupational health. This will require a questionnaire and also a personal visit to the occupational health department in addition to and on a separate occasion to the interview day.

All applicants will be required to attend an interview. Full guidelines will be provided in advance of the interview day, including required preparation for the event. As part of the interview you will be expected to demonstrate the following:

• A genuine interest in the care and treatment of patients as part of the dental team
• Demonstration of care 'values'
• Good manual dexterity as evidenced through relevant skills
• Team working ability
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• IT experience e.g. word processing packages, email and using the internet
• A high level of commitment due to the intensive nature of this academic and clinical degree programme

Access routes

SWAP Access courses
If you are eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP), please visit our SWAP access list for further information on grade profiles and available subjects.

Year 1 - CertHE

Modules are:

• Behavioural science (S1)
• Biomedical science (S1)
• Clinical practice 1 (S1 and S2)
• Clinical dentistry 1 (S2)
• Oral biology (S2)

Year 2 - DipHE

Modules are:

• Clinical dentistry 2 (S1)
• Radiography and radiology (S1)
• Clinical practice 2 (S1 and S2)
• Dental public health (S2)
• Human disease (S2)

Year 3 - BSc

Modules are:

• Literature review: Oral health science (S1)
• Advanced clinical dentistry 1 (S1)
• Clinical practice 3 (S1 and S2)
• Advanced clinical dentistry 2 (S2)
• Preparation for practice (S2)

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

• EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
• EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
• EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Rest of UK students

For students living in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), with a term-time address in Scotland, studying this course full time, the following fees apply:

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK and EU students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying (see the Funding section opposite).

This course is not available for international students (including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled status in the UK) requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study here.. For students living in the UK and assessed as international fee status, the following fees will apply:

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

Additional costs

Travel for radiography teaching in year 2 will be required and clinical placements in dental clinics across Scotland are offered in the final year; travel and accommodation costs will be covered for both, but you will need to cover any subsistence costs.