The University of Huddersfield is to launch a new course to train dental therapists and hygienists, based at the new National Health Innovation Campus.

The new degree, starting in September 2025, will help address a national shortage of dental clinicians.

The BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy Course will be aimed at A-level students and also those currently working as dental nurses.

The course will partner with a community dental provider to provide onsite clinic facilities. It is also hoped that students will have the opportunity to learn and work with dentistry students from other institutions as part of their studies.

Dental hygienists provide advice on prevention such as diet analysis, oral hygiene education and giving up smoking.

They also undertake treatments to prevent oral diseases such as applying fluoride or fissure sealants and diagnose and treat gum disease.

Dental therapists can undertake everything that a dental hygienist can plus fillings, extract primary teeth, provide crowns on primary teeth, provide pulp treatments on primary teeth and, after further post-graduation training, provide composite bonding.

Course leader Michelle Williams said: “I am really proud to bring the BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy course to the University of Huddersfield.

“I am looking forward to sharing my enthusiasm for this amazing profession with the students and developing dental care professionals of the future with patient centred care at the heart of what they do.”