Thinking about the next steps

Last month we looked at the history of dental hygiene and dental therapy and how the careers have progressed to date. This month’s article will explore how the programmes have evolved and why the majority of programmes have moved to universities, as well as how to choose what is right for you.

The move from diplomas to degrees

The world of dentistry is continuously evolving and for the most part this is positive and ensures that we meet the needs of our patients and the profession, however, sometimes those changes can be perceived to be to the detriment of the profession.

Historically, the majority of dental hygiene and dental therapy programmes were diplomas and as such provided a pathway for dental nurses to progress their careers. Although entry requirements remained, they recognised a dental nurse’s pre- and post-registration qualifications. The change within the profession away from diplomas to degrees was, for many dental nurses, a change that placed further barriers in their career progression.