Study Dentistry in Ireland

Students from Canada, the United States and other Non-European Union (EU) regions may apply to Dental Schools in Ireland and Northern Ireland via the Atlantic Bridge Program.

Every year, students commence the study of Dentistry via the Atlantic Bridge Program at Trinity College Dublin (TCD), University College Cork (UCC) and Queen’s University, Belfast (QUB).  The Atlantic Bridge Program streamlines the application process so students can apply to all three Dental programs using one common application and only one set of documents (transcripts, letters of reference, etc.).

Important Note: Mutual Recognition

The Reciprocity Agreement between the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) and the Dental Council of Ireland was signed on December 5th, 2012.  Under this agreement, the CDAC and the Dental Council of Ireland agree that each party recognizes the accreditation standards and policies of the other party as being equivalent to its own.  There are twelve dental programs covered under this agreement, ten in Canada and two in Ireland (University College Cork and Trinity College Dublin).

Students who graduate from University College Cork (UCC) or Trinity College Dublin (TCD) after December 5th, 2012 will be accepted for licensing in Canada as graduates of an accredited dental educational program and do not need to meet other educational requirements typically required of graduates of non-Canadian Dental schools.

Any student who is enrolled in an accredited program at the time of the MRA being terminated, and proceeds to successfully complete said program, shall be considered to have graduated from an accredited program and shall subsequently benefit from the provisions of the MRA. 

Note: Queen’s University Belfast is not a participant in the reciprocity agreement between the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) and the Dental Council of Ireland. This Reciprocity Agreement does not therefore include graduates from Queen’s University Belfast

Students who are eligible for EU tuition fees must apply via the Central Applications Office. For further information on eligibility for EU tuition fees, please click here.

Entry Requirements

The Admissions Committees consider every application individually and on its own merits, taking into account the degree of difficulty involved in the undergraduate degree or high school curriculum, the competitiveness of the school, course load taken by the applicant, and a number of other factors. Students are expected to present high marks in Chemistry and Biology as the application process is competitive.

Applicants who hold (or expect to hold by September of the year of entry) an undergraduate degree with a significant science component, including courses in Chemistry and Biology, may apply to the programs listed below. For specific entry requirements, please click on the link for each school.

Candidates applying directly from high school and high school graduates who have taken college/university-level courses, but who will not have an undergraduate degree by September of the year of entry, may apply to the following program. For specific entry requirements, please click on the link for the school.

Dentistry Schools

Within this section are overviews of the three dental schools which annually admit full complements of North American students, and links to their respective websites.

Irish Dentistry Curricula

The dental curriculum focuses on teaching the most up-to-date evidence-based skills to future dentistry practitioners. The course takes an evidence-based and student centered approach to learning, so that students quickly recognize the need to treat patients using the most robust scientific evidence and the importance of being a highly motivated, independent learner. Students are introduced to patients at the earliest opportunity and are expected to make the care of their patients their first concern at all times. You will develop clinical knowledge and skill in areas such as Oral Medicine, Orthodontics, Periodontology, Anesthetics and Oral Surgery. A detailed description of each program is available from the website of each school

The aim of the dental degree program is to educate and train dental students who, upon 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.

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Financial Aid

North American students attending dental schools usually make use of available financial aid to cover the costs of their training.

Moving to Ireland

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