Dental exemptions for dental hygienists and dental therapists

The Dental exemptions e-learning programme has been developed for dental hygienists and dental therapists by the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE). The programme aims to support dental hygienists and dental therapists to explore how they can effectively develop and progress their competence in working under exemptions within their individual scope of practice.

The Human Medicines Regulations 2012 was amended on 26 June 2024 to add dental hygienists and dental therapists to an exemption allowing them to supply and administer listed medicines within their competence. (now ‘Human Medicines (Amendments relating to Registered Dental Hygienists, Registered Dental Therapists and Registered Pharmacy Technicians) Regulations 2024’).
The learning programme is designed to help dental hygienists and dental therapists to navigate the changes under law to develop their roles in the supply and administration of medicines within the Exemption framework (Human Medicines Regulations) supporting the care of patients and access to services. This learning guides dental hygienists and dental therapists to reflect upon transferrable skills and identify development areas. 

By the end of this learning programme, associated reading and assessment you should be able to:

• Apply national and local policies to appropriately supply and administer medicines under exemptions ?
• Exercise professional judgement to ensure patient safety whilst practising independently
• Explain how you will operate within your defined scope of practice according to current General Dental Council (GDC) guidelines.
• Apply the legal and ethical aspects of medicines management when working under exemptions 
• Apply shared decision-making to support consent and patient-centred care.??
• Describe antimicrobial stewardship in your clinical practice?