Study an innovative dental curriculum at a top school with world-class facilities and access to London’s diverse population.
Dental hygienists and therapists are a vital member of the dental team, focussing the prevention and treatment of oral diseases. We are building on the success of our 28-month Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Therapy that was established in 1983; other dental schools have followed our model of an integrated curriculum studying alongside our colleagues studying BDS dentistry.
On this three-year degree programme, you will study alongside, and be integrated with, the BDS students, which fosters a team approach to patient care. You will learn the skills and knowledge that are required for you to register with the General Dental Council as a dental therapist or hygienist on graduation.
Our graduate employability rate is 100%. Career options include work in General Practice (NHS or privately), community, armed forces, education and dental research or further study.
Our location in east London means you’ll serve a population of great diversity and encounter a wide range of diseases. You’ll be exposed to patients early on, and as you progress in your studies you’ll work in our outreach clinics in Canary Wharf and Stratford.
We encourage you to take a holistic approach to dentistry by studying the human sciences along with your core dentistry modules – including sociology and psychology – to examine patients’ attitude to oral healthcare and the dental profession.
This is a relatively new programme within Queen Mary University of London's Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.
BSc Oral Health is superseding our longstanding DipHE Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy, established in 1983.
Our aim is to assist students to acquire the skills, knowledge and attitudes that are necessary to practice as a dental care professional in the 21st century.
Basic Clinical SciencesThis module is designed to provide an in-depth, scientific understanding of the structure and function of the human body systems in health and disease (e.g. musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory), including Oral Biology (consisting, Head & Neck, Oral Cavity, Immunology & Pathology) and Dental Materials, in order to provide appropriate health promotion advice and clinical intervention in the promotion of optimal oral health.
Public Health & Evidence Based DentistryThis module is designed to introduce the themes of Global Health & Evidence Based Dentistry and consider the principles of clinical and population epidemiology. Students will develop critical appraisal skills and integrate evidence into the wider social context; this will develop skills in critical engagement and the commitment to continuous learning (life-long learning)
Professionalism, Teamwork & Social ResponsibilityThis module will develop the themes of professionalism, team working & social responsibility through enhancing your values, attitudes and behaviours, which will underpin the science and practice of dentistry with professional ethics, healthcare law, sociology and psychology, team working and social responsibility to produce dental professionals for the future. These will link to the provision of patient care management. It will additionally encourage commitment to continuous life long learning.
Clinical PracticeThis module has been designed to encompass total patient care, and through this, a philosophy of continual learning & layering of information gained from engagement and delivery of dental care for patients. Clinical Practice will be delivered as a continuum in stages commencing with the acquisition of skills during Year 2 in the clinical skills laboratory and transition from the laboratory to the clinic prior to treating patients.
Clinical SciencesThis module will provide the student with the knowledge and understanding of how systemic health or disease affects oral health, and how this may impact on the provision of dental care. This student will utilise this knowledge in order to provide safe dental care to a range of patients with complex medical histories. An understanding of pharmacology will be further developed and consolidated in relation to a patient’s medical history.
Public Health & Evidence Based DentistryThe course combines structured Evidenced Based Dentistry and Dental Public Health teaching, and will build on concepts introduced in Year 1. You will be encouraged to use your EBD skills (including asking structured questions, searching for research and critically-appraising the research) and apply it to your clinical practice.
You will focus on exploring national oral health trends and social inequalities in oral health in the UK. You will also be introduced to new concepts such as patient-reported oral health measures, the link between general health and oral health and oral health promotion.
Professionalism, Teamwork & Social ResponsibilityThis module builds upon knowledge and skills acquisition gained in Year 1 and continues to develop professionalism, teamworking, and social responsibility, with further development of the theme of complaints handling which will be integrated into Clinical Practice. Much of this module will be embedded into patient care, with some specific academic teaching in key areas. Special Care Dentistry will become a key feature throughout this year and will continue through the year.
Clinical PracticeThis module builds on the skills learnt in Year 1 to provide students with the knowledge and operative clinical skills to treatment plan, prevent disease and manage the restoration of the dentitions across all ages, with some of the clinical experience gained within outreach facilities. Dental materials, oral medicine and Treatment planning will be enhanced through academic teaching and clinics.
Professionalism, Teamwork & Social ResponsibilityThis module builds upon knowledge and skills acquisition gained in Year 2 and continues to develop professionalism, teamworking, and social responsibility, and continues to expand students communication and teamworking skills as they work with different patients in varied dental environments. Management and leadership skills will become a feature throughout this year to enable novice clinicians to understand the leadership and management skills required to nurture a constructive working environment.
Clinical Practice – Child Oral HealthThis module has been designed to bring together all the knowledge and skills taught previously to enable students to assess, diagnose, treatment plan and treat children within their scope of practice. This will ensure that you will be undertaking a holistic approach to patient care, considering aspects such as law and ethics, professionalism and teamwork and how this affects the management and treatment of patients.
Clinical Practice – RestorativeThis module has been designed to bring together all the knowledge and skills taught previously to enable students to assess, diagnose, treatment plan and treat adults within their scope of practice. This will ensure that as dental professionals, you will be undertaking a holistic approach to patient care, considering aspects such as law and ethics, professionalism and teamwork and how this affects the management and treatment of patients.
Additional Costs: Students are encouraged to attend at least one conference that is relevant to your studies and future role as a graduate, which would be self funded. The cost for the conference, accommodation and travel is usually in the region of £250.00. You will attend outreach clinics and you will need to cover the costs of travel to local placements, although the Southend placement will have some financial support.
You also need to purchase a clinical uniform and protective eyewear, in addition to books, although there is a well stocked library on site.
We do not offer the option of an Intercalated degrees
GCSEs (or recognised equivalent)
A minimum of 6 GCSEs at Grade C or (from 2017) Grade 4, including English, Mathematics, Biology (or Human Biology) and Chemistry. The Science Double Award may substitute all sciences at GCSE.
IELTS or equivalent (for European or International applicants)
IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.0 in each element of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking (must be within 2 year validity). Please see www.qmul.ac.uk/international/international-students/englishlanguagerequirements/
Work Experience
We will consider relevant work experience, including observing a dental hygienist or therapist (or general dental practitioner) at work. Please include this information in your personal statement to support your application. You will still be required to meet our academic requirements.
A-Levels
ABB including Biology. Pass grade in the practical endorsement of Science A-Levels. General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
32 points overall including 655 in HL Subjects including HL Biology.
Dental Nursing (NVQ Level 3 Oral Health Care / NEBDN)
Accepted in lieu of one A-Level. A-Level grades AB including Biology are required in addition.
Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers
ABB from three Advanced Highers including Biology. Accepted in combination with Highers if taking at least two Advanced Highers at grades AB including Biology.
Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
Accepted in lieu of one A-Level (at the grades listed above), excluding any specified subjects.
Irish Leaving Certificate
Five subject passes at Higher level, including grades of at least H1, H2, H2, H3, H3 including Biology.
Access to Higher Education Diploma
Considered for entry on a case by case basis. 60 credits overall, with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. You must take at least 15 credits in Biology.
BTEC (QCF) 2010
Not accepted for entry.
BTEC (RQF) Nationals (first teaching in 2016)
BTEC (RQF) Nationals in Applied Science are considered for entry on a case by case basis. DDM overall with at least two Distinctions and a Merit in three externally assessed mandatory units.
International Equivalent Qualifications
We consider international qualifications for this programme where applicants are taking the correct subject requirements. Please refer to our International pages for general guidelines: www.qmul.ac.uk/international/international-students/countries/
Further information:
Due to exceptionally high demand/competitive nature of the programme combined with the highly limited clinical spaces, this programme is unable to consider the following:
Please also note that the candidates must be aged 18 or over at the start of the course in September (latest by mid-September). Applicants who will be under the age of 18 by the start of this course will need to wait to apply in the following year as there is no deferred entry alternative to this programme.
For the 2024 intake, we received nearly 770 applications (up by 29% since 2023 and nearly double since 2021). We are expecting a similar number of applications for 2025 Entry.
Only applications received prior to 29th January 2025 - UCAS's equal consideration deadline for 2025 entry will be considered by the Admissions and Institute of Dentistry Teams. The pre-interview screening process will already have ensured that all candidates invited to interview demonstrate the academic potential to be successful.
Candidates who are not invited for interview will be informed through UCAS that their application has been unsuccessful. Please note that whilst all candidates are entitled to apply to other programmes via UCAS, we are looking for genuine interest and passion for BSc Oral Health programme and hygienist/therapist profession. This needs to be demonstrated through your Personal Statement and shadowing experience (or dental nursing experience for mature applicants).
Prior to receiving an Offer to study on the BSc Oral Health you will be invited to attend a remote interview; no offers are made without an interview. Interviews are offered to applicants who score highly according to the selection process rankings. Candidates who are successfully shortlisted for the interview will need to prepare also a brief assessment task before-hand, which will be emailed in conjunction with their interview invitation.
We cannot offer other dates outside of the interview period. If you are genuinely unable to attend your allocated remote/online interview slot, we may be able to change your appointment to another day or time during the interview days, however, this is not guaranteed.
The interview process will follow a remote/online type of interview. There will be a task sent before-hand to all shortlisted candidates to prepare. Candidates will be asked questions related to the task. This is just one part of the overall interview assessment, where we will be assessing candidates’ suitability to be a dental care professional.
The interview is not a test of your knowledge but aims to explore your attitudes, views and whether you have the personal qualities and attributes to become a dental care professional suitable for registration with the General Dental Council upon graduation from the programme.
Qualities and values set out in the NHS constitution include:
The full list of values can viewed at https://www.hee.nhs.uk/about/our-values
The interviewers are selected from both the university and clinical environments and have undergone specific training and guidance for interviewing applicants, which includes equality and diversity. We appreciate that some candidates will be nervous, so staff will ensure that interviews are conducted in as relaxed an environment as possible.
Feedback is only given directly to unsuccessful on interview applicants who request this in writing by email or letter. Feedback will only provide the numerical score from the interview and the position of this score in the overall ranking.
Candidates who meet our minimum academic requirements must apply through UCAS before 29th January 2025 (UCAS equal consideration deadline). We also recommend applicants to apply as soon as the UCAS cycle is open. Late applications (post 29 January) will not be considered. This course is open to UK/Home, EU and international applicants.
Shortlisting
This course has limited spaces. Applications are assessed against the academic entry criteria and the non-academic criteria. Successful applicants are invited to interview.
Interviews
Remote interviews are held during 24th and 25th March 2025. No offers are made without an interview.
Offers
Possible outcomes:
Unsuccessful
Waiting list – candidates who are unplaced elsewhere may be re-considered for offer, prior to or after the summer examination result. This is provided that the Institute of Dentistry still has vacant spaces on the Programme, ahead of the academic year start.
Clearance Checks
Successful applicants will be required to have:
After the offers are confirmed, the successful candidates will be advised the steps to follow in order to undertake and/or provide DBS and Occupational Health Checks
Start date
Please note that BSc Oral Health new starters (Year 1) commence in the first days of September each year. This is usually earlier than start for other Undergraduate Programmes. This is primarily is due to the fact that Year 1 BSc Oral Health students intergrate with BDS Year 2 students; hence the early September Induction.
2024 entryFull-time £9,250
2024 entry Full-time £22,500*
*Please note these are provisional tuition fees, which may be subject to change for 2024/25 entry
https://www.qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/feesandfunding/
The Advice and Counselling Service at Queen Mary offers detailed advice and guidance on all aspects of student finance and more. It also offers advice to international students about all the financial, practical and immigration-related aspects of studying at Queen Mary.
Contact the Advice and Counselling Service on:
Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 8717 www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk/