Curriculum Integration

The dental curriculum focuses on teaching the most up-to-date evidence-based skills to future dentistry leaders. The dental program's foundation years provide a preclinical background through subjects such as Anatomy, Physiology, Ethics, and Physics. The subsequent years then develop clinical knowlege and skill in areas such as Oral Medicine, Orthodontics, Periodontology, Anaesthetics and Oral Surgery. A detailed description of each program is available from the prospectus and website of each school.

The aim of the dental degree programme is to educate and train dental students who on graduation are capable of carrying out the independent practice of all facets of dentistry as appropriate for adults, children, at least to the primary care level, including: oral diagnosis, restoration, periodontology, orthodontics, oral surgery, oral medicine and pathology, and special care dentistry within the context of prevention and health promotion.

Length of Program

The dentistry degree course in Ireland is five years in duration. The standard school year in Ireland usually runs from late September to late April and is divided into two semesters. The first semester runs from fall to Christmas break, the second from January to late spring. There are breaks at Christmas, in the spring and the summer, as well as on the individual national holidays.

In Dental School, there is no required "intern year" after graduation. This is due to practical hands-on experience treating patients, included throughout the five years of training.

Assessment

Student progress is monitored continuously throughout the year, culminating in final examinations at the end of the school year. Continuous assessment may involve any combination of practical tests, multiple-choice questionnaires (MCQs), essays, clinical skills assessments, skill tests of competence, oral exams and projects. The final exams are composed of any combination of essay papers, oral exams, MCQs and practical exams. Marks for the in-course assessment and the end-of-year assessment are then combined to determine a final grade for each course.

Research Opportunities

During the summer months, students may carry out research in several departments. Grants are available from the schools, the national research councils, non-profit organizations and private corporations.

Degrees Awarded

Successful completion of the five-year denstistry degree course leads to a Bachelor in Dental Science (B.Dent.Sc.) at both Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork. Trinity College Dublin awards a Bachelor in Arts (B.A.) in addition to the B.Dent.Sc., at the end of the five years.

Once applicable licensing procedures have been successfully completed, holders of these degrees are eligible to practice dentistry in the United States, Canada and all of the European Union nations. Both schools have dentistry graduates currently practicing and/or teaching dentistry in North America.

Postgraduate dental degrees are also offered by both schools.