Dental Nursing

Diploma (NFQ Level 7)
2 Years Full-Time
25 Places
CAO Points 410 (2023)
CAO Code TR801

Overview

What is a Dental Nurse?

The dental nurse plays an important role in the organisation and management of the dental practice, assisting the dentist in all aspects of patient treatment. The main duties of a dental nurse include infection prevention and control, chair-side assistance, preparation and maintenance of the dental clinic and equipment, and patient care.

This programme empowers you with the skills and practical competence required to work in a dental environment. You will learn about the day-to-day role of the dental nurse and acquire the qualification for entry to the Dental Council Voluntary Register of Dental Nurses.

Dental Nursing: The course for you?

If you have an interest in working as part of a dental team in the delivery of oral healthcare and have a caring and understanding disposition, this may be the course for you. Skills required of students considering dental nursing include communication and organisation skills, the ability to use initiative, and the ability and willingness to work closely with the dental team in providing support and assistance during the provision of dental treatment. The dental nurse may also be involved with the administration of the dental clinic.

Through the course, you will be able to develop good patient skills and learn to communicate effectively in a healthcare environment.

Dental Nursing at Trinity 

This two-year programme is based in the Dublin Dental University Hospital on Trinity’s campus. Clinical facilities are of a very high standard and class sizes are small, so that students receive considerable staff input into their progress throughout the programme. The programme is very practical throughout, allowing students to progressively develop clinical skills. Graduates of the Trinity School of Dental Science and Dublin Dental University Hospital (DDUH) are highly sought after, due to the extensive clinical exposure obtained during this programme.

Graduate skills and career opportunities​​​​​​

As a graduate of Dental Nursing, you can work in a variety of working environments, including dental hospitals and Health Service Executive dental clinics, as well as in general and specialist dental practices. Depending on the work setting, advancement in the field may include senior dental nurse, clinic nurse manager, practice manager, marketing representatives for relevant companies, dental nurse tutor, course co-ordinator, and the area of health promotion.

Further courses of study are also available to dental nurses, including the Diploma in Orthodontic Therapy.

Your Diploma and what you’ll study

The Diploma in Dental Nursing course is divided into practical and academic components. Both academic teaching and practical clinical experience are gained at the Dublin Dental University Hospital (DDUH) at Trinity College Dublin.

Dental Nursing students attend DDUH from Monday to Friday, from 8:30am to 5pm, but there will be opportunities to enjoy university life at various times during the week. The first year will be a combination of lectures and clinical practice, which will provide students with a variety of learning opportunities.

In the second year of the programme, the students will have the opportunity to work with various dental clinicians in a wide variety of disciplines. Clinical experiences will be gained within the DDUH environment, external institutions and private practices.

First year modules include:

  • Microbiology and Pathology.
  • Physiology and Medical Emergencies: Clinical Dentistry I.
  • Anatomy, Public Oral Health and Social Concepts in Dentistry.
  • Clinical Dentistry II and Computer Skills.
  • Clinical Placements I.

Second year modules include:

  • Clinical Dentistry III, Practice Management and Health Psychology.
  • Clinical Placements II and Portfolio of Experience.
  • Case Study Written report and Oral Presentation.

Click here for further information on modules/subject.

First year is assessed through attendance, assignments, written examinations, practical examinations, continuous clinical assessment, a clinical logbook, an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and an oral presentation.

Second year is assessed through attendance, assignments, written examinations, practical examinations, continuous clinical assessment, an OSCE, a portfolio of experience, a case study written report and an oral presentation.  

Study in the School of Dental Science at Trinity

Overview of the undergraduate programmes in the School of Dental Science at Trinity College Dublin, delivered by Derek Sullivan.

Course Details

Awards

Diploma (NFQ Level 7)

CAO Information

CAO Points 410 (2023) CAO Code TR801

Number of Places

25 Places
students working in library/>

Admission Requirements

Leaving Certificate:

Applicants are required to present six subjects including: English, Mathematics, and one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Agricultural Science or Physics/Chemistry.

Of the six subjects presented, two must be of a standard of at least Grade 4 on Ordinary Leaving Certificate papers. The remaining four subjects must be presented to a standard of at least Grade 6 on Ordinary Leaving Certificate papers.

Mature Students:

Applications may also be considered from mature applicants who do not satisfy the academic entry requirements but can demonstrate appropriate experience relevant to the course.

To learn more, see Trinity's health screening requirements at: www.tcd.ie/students/orientation/undergraduates/health-screenings.php

Students will be required to undergo Garda Vetting, for more details see: www.tcd.ie/students/orientation/undergraduates/garda-vetting.php

Course Fees

Click here for a full list of undergraduate fees.

Apply

To apply to this course, click on the relevant Apply Link below

EU Applicants

Read the information about how to apply, then apply directly to CAO.

    Non-EU Applicants

    Advanced Entry Applications

    Read the information about how to apply for Advanced Entry, then select the link below to apply.

      Get in Touch

      dentalnursetutor@dental.tcd.ie

      Website

      www.tcd.ie/dental

      Register Your Interest

      Register your interest in studying at Ireland’s leading university, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin.

      Register Your Interest