Course summary

Join the only programme of its kind in Wales, and only the second programme in the UK. With your course fees paid by the NHS, this course aims to address the shortage of Dental Therapists across the UK. This BSc will place you at the forefront of Dental Therapy and enables qualified Dental Hygienists to further develop their skills and knowledge to train as level 6 qualified Dental Therapists. Please note: this course is a one year top up for those currently registered as Dental Hygienists. This BSc is for qualified, registered Dental Hygienists to further develop their knowledge and skills to become Dental Therapists. Dental Therapists are registered dental professionals who carry out certain elements of dental treatment direct to patients or under prescription from a dentist. As a qualified Dental Therapist you will be a valuable member of the dental team, and have a crucial role in providing preventive and restorative dental care for both children and adults. This one year, full-time, programme provides a patient-focused educational experience. Clinical practice is a major component throughout the course, with clinical placements being provided in a state of the art training practice. Our curriculum further develops your knowledge of dental diseases including the periodontal and restorative interface and students will develop the skills to undertake restorative procedures utilising the principles of minimally invasive dentistry. Additionally, you will critically appraise approaches to dental research and explain how to integrate the outcomes of research with patient care. The Dental Therapy programme at Bangor University will qualify you to register with the General Dental Council as a Dental Therapist. At Bangor University you will also gain practical experience through clinical placements in a range of primary and secondary care settings, including dental practices and hospital wards. Throughout these placements you will receive mentorship from trained supervisors. As your clinical skills, knowledge and experiences grows you will be given increased responsibility and independence. You will be taught by dedicated dental Therapy tutors within the School of Health Sciences. As a core part of your learning you will have access to a state-of-the-art phantom head facility, lecture theatres and IT infrastructure. The programme will be delivered using a blended approach, using face-to-face and dispersed teaching methods, however it is a very practical based course with more than 60% of the course being hands-on, both through clinical skills development and during clinical placements. The programme is full-time over 45 weeks and our term dates do not coincide with normal University term dates due to this requirement. Due to Regulatory Body requirements, students are not permitted to undertake assessments through the medium of Welsh, however Welsh speaking personal tutors can be provided and Welsh speaking students will have the opportunity to converse with patients and staff in Welsh.