History of the University

There has been an educational establishment in Cork for over 1,200 years. The current institution was founded in 1845 under the name Queen’s College Cork. In 1908, under a charter from the Irish Universities Act, it became University College Cork.

The Dental School in Cork was established in 1913 through a partnership between University College Cork and the North Infirmary Hospital. The Dental School was initially staffed by local volunteer dentists, followed quickly by full-time staff. Over the following decades, The Dental School grew organically in size and scope.

In 1967, University College Cork assumed full operation of the Dental School, and subsequently moved it to the Cork University Hospital. The new location allowed the school to continue serving the community, educating dental care staff, while expanding its capacity for dental research.

Today, University College Cork is the principal university in the province of Munster and the largest outside Dublin and now has a student population of over 23,000.

Visit these sites for more information:
University College Cork
University College Cork, School of Dentistry

About The Dental School

The Cork Dental School & Hospital is located in a ninety-chair facility on the campus of Cork University Hospital, the main hospital in the south of Ireland. Along with facilities on the nearby UCC campus, the Dental School is equipped to deliver each stage of the dental curriculum and specialized patient treatment. The length of the dental program is five-years.

The first part of the course is spent mainly on the university campus studying medical sciences. Students benefit from building an academic foundation, from laboratory teaching to obtain an understanding of the biological processes, and from practicing on simulation units to prepare for the delivery of clinical care.

The final three years are focused on clinical training at the Dental School and Hospital and the attached Cork University Hospital. Students enter dental settings in clinic and operating rooms, and gain first-hand experience in treating their own patients under the supervision of well-trained staff. The UCC dental program has a highly favorable ratio of dental staff to students, ensuring that all students receive individual mentor-ship.

The dental program encompasses training in the full range of dental disciplines, such as: dental surgery, oral medicine, oral radiology, dental public health, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, periodontology, prosthodontics, gerodontology and endodontics.

Students graduate with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree and the knowledge, skills and experience to enter independent practice as competent dental professionals.

Dental Student Experience

Degrees

Year 1 Modules:
Principles of Human Structure for Dentistry; Topographical Anatomy; Introduction to Biomolecules and Metabolic Pathways; Introduction to Physiology for Dentistry I & II; Fundamentals of Dentistry I & II

Year 2 Modules:
Neuroanatomy and Embryology for Dental Students; Mammalian Cell and Tissue Structure; Dental Morphology, Histology and Embryology; Molecular Biology; The Nervous System; Physiology for Dental Students; Foundations of Medicine; Mechanisms of Disease; Principles of Pharmacology; Introduction to Clinical Dentistry

Year 3 Modules:
Dental Pharmacology; Manifestations of Systemic and Oral Disease; Practical Restorative Dentistry; Development of Clinical Skills; Theoretical Basis for Clinical Dentistry; Behavioral and Ethical Dental Practice

Year 4 Modules:
Clinical Medical Sciences in Dentistry; Introduction to Dental Surgery; Introduction to Oral Health and Development I; Clinical Adult Oral Health; Theoretical Adult Oral Health I

Year 5 Modules:
Dental Surgery; Oral Health and Development; Clinical Restorative Dentistry; Theoretical Dentistry

See the College Calendar for more detailed information on the Program and the Book of Modules for a more detailed description of program modules.

Entry Requirements

In order to apply to the 5-year program at University College Cork (UCC) you must have your Bachelor’s Degree completed no later than August of the year of proposed entry. Your degree program should include a significant science component including courses in Chemistry and Biology. Candidates should have a minimum cGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. (Canadian candidates can use the OMSAS conversion table to determine their cGPA.)

Candidates are advised to present some dental practical/shadowing experience on their CV/Resume or a Letter of Recommendation from a practicing dentist.

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