To become a qualified hygienist in the UK, you must complete a certificate of operational competence, which takes 1 year and focuses on core modules. Next, you must earn a diploma of professional competence, which takes 3-5 years and includes additional modules, clinical training, and a core exam. Finally, becoming qualified involves overcoming hurdles like juggling ability and time requirements over a long period of study and experience.
So lets imagine you do all of that. Lets imagine you get over the first hurdle and you pass your certificate, what next?Well the idea, is that you continue to develop your skills. You do so in such a way that passing the diploma becomes easy.
However, to some people the gap between the cert and diploma can seem like a yearning chasm.To some extent this is understandable. The is no official course which bridges this gap. That said a full MSc will teach you the kinds of skills your require.But the move after certificate is one from technician being taught on formal courses to the role of the professional who engages in continuing professional development and self directed learningI’ve spoken to people on the faculty board about helping candidates bridge this gap. They have no firm plans yet, but I think it is something they will move on in the future. If there were to be a course or other way of learning it would be one which teaches how to learn and how to develop rather than teaches occupational hygiene subjects.