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Health Sciences
177
The second dental year
The objectives of the second dental year are to ensure
that you develop an understanding of:
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Normal function at cell and system levels and the integration
of body systems
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Bacteria, viruses and their relationship to the human immune
system
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Clinical signs and symptoms of systemic and oral disease
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Basic clinical skills necessary for the treatment of patients
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The principles of experimental design, data collection and
analysis
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Relevant elements of the biological and medical sciences
appropriate to the needs of a practising dentist
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Health and safety
In addition you will develop communication skills with particular
reference to patient care, learn how to interpret and explain the
clinical signs and symptoms of systemic and oral disease with
particular reference to dental practice and begin to practice the
clinical skills necessary for the treatment of patients. Courses in
the second year are complemented by knowledge of the relevant
elements of the biological and medical sciences appropriate to
the needs of a practising dentist.
Clinical training begins in the second year with students learning
the vital basic skills of history taking, examination and diagnosis.
Approximately half way through the year you will start providing
very simple treatments for patients.
Years three, four and five
During the later years of the course you will be encouraged
to take an approach to the management of oral health and
disease which is based on the best available scientific evidence.
In tandem with this, you will also need to be aware of related
general healthcare issues for individuals and communities. In
these three years you will provide more complex patient care.
Topics you will study in years three, four and five include:
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Human diseases, including both medical and surgical
aspects
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Public dental health with an emphasis on disease prevention
and epidemiology, as well as on the care of special needs
patients
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Children’s dental health which includes orthodontics (braces)
and dental care specific to children
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Restorative dentistry which involves fillings and crowns;
periodontology which includes treatment for gum disease
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Prosthodontics which involves the various type of artificial
replacements for missing teeth
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Experimental design, data collection and analysis
Assessment
In keeping with the PBL-style curriculum, a wide variety of
assessment methods are used in all years. There are end-of-
term integrated written assessments, practical tests, skills tests
of competence, clinical examinations, written reports and oral/
verbal presentations. The written assessments include short
essay, short answer and multiple choice type questions.
Study abroad
Students in the fourth year can participate in an Erasmus
exchange programme with dental schools in Norway, Sweden,
Spain and the UK. Between the fourth and fifth dental years,
some students undertake voluntary placements in a wide variety
of international locations such as developing countries.
Career opportunities
Career prospects for graduates of dentistry are excellent.
While most graduates enter general practice, many also enter
the health board dental service, which provides care for special
needs patients and children in health clinics operated by the
regional health boards. A smaller number of openings exist in
dental schools and hospitals for house officers or registrars.
These positions can lead on to training in specialist areas.
Other possibilities include postgraduate research or a university
teaching career.
Your degree and professional
practice (B.A., B.Dent.Sc)
The degree Bachelor of Dental Science (B.Dent.Sc)
conferred by Trinity College Dublin entitles graduates to
register immediately after graduation as a dentist on the
Register of the Dental Council of Ireland and those who are
EU citizens may register with the regulatory bodies of other
countries in the European Union (such as the UK, France,
Germany, etc.).
Graduates who wish to practice in countries outside the
EU such as the USA or Canada will be required to undergo
additional training and pass specified examinations.
Further information
www.dentalhospital.ie
(from the main menu select:
Education, Undergraduate programmes)
Tel: +353 1 896 1789 / 1690
E-mail:
info@dental.tcd.ie