NHS Dental Hygienist salary, 2026/27
Dental hygienists provide professional cleaning, scaling and oral hygiene advice. The role requires a diploma or degree in dental hygiene and GDC registration. NHS hygienists typically work in hospital and community settings rather than general dental practice, and are banded at 5 or 6.
- Range (England)
- £32,073 to £48,117
- Typical bands
- Band 5, Band 6
- Hourly entry
- £16.40
- Hourly top
- £24.61
Dental Hygienist pay by band, England 2026/27
The table below shows the entry and top step at each band Dental Hygienists are typically paid on. Most Dental Hygienists move through the bands over the course of their career as they take on more senior or specialist responsibilities.
Dental Hygienist pay in Scotland
Scottish NHS staff are paid on a separate pay scale, negotiated by the Scottish Government rather than the UK Pay Review Body. Scotland consistently pays more than England at every band. The figures below are the Scottish equivalents for the same bands.
Common questions
- What pay band is a Dental Hygienist on?
- NHS Dental Hygienists sit at Band 5 or Band 6 depending on experience and the specific responsibilities of the role. Newly qualified Dental Hygienists usually start on the lowest banding shown, with progression to the higher bands as they take on more senior or specialist work.
- How much does an NHS Dental Hygienist earn in 2026/27?
- On the 2026/27 England pay scale, an NHS Dental Hygienist earns between £32,073 and £48,117 a year gross, depending on band and step. At the lowest entry rate that works out to roughly £16.40 an hour, and at the top rate roughly £24.61 an hour. Take-home pay after tax, NI and the NHS pension contribution is typically 70% of the gross figure. Scottish Dental Hygienists earn between £34,544 and £52,679 on the equivalent Scottish scale.
- Where can I find Dental Hygienist jobs in the NHS?
- NHS Jobs (jobs.nhs.uk) lists all current vacancies across the four UK nations. Filter by 'Pay Band' to focus on roles at the band you're interested in. HSC Recruit covers Northern Ireland (jobs.hscni.net) and NHS Scotland Jobs covers Scotland (jobs.scot.nhs.uk). Most Trusts also list vacancies on their own websites alongside the national portal.
- Does Dental Hygienist get London weighting?
- Only at NHS Trusts in England inside one of the three London weighting (HCAS) zones. Dental Hygienists working at Inner London Trusts get 20% on top of basic pay (minimum £5,794, maximum £8,746 for 2026/27). Outer London is 15%, Fringe is 5%. Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish Dental Hygienists don't receive a London weighting equivalent.