Dentistry (BDS (Hons))

Why Choose This Course

Dentistry is a highly satisfying and rewarding career. It affords you the opportunity to provide a high standard of clinical care for patients. Coupled with this is the potential to alter the patient’s lifestyle to enhance their oral health.

The course marries a high degree of technical knowledge with clinical expertise and patient interaction. As the course progresses, you undertake clinical care for your patients which is progressively more complex, challenging and rewarding.

Small-group teaching is provided which gives you the opportunity to share learning experiences with fellow students and experienced staff.

Skills and Careers Information

On graduating from this course, you will have developed an ability to listen to and engage with your patients. You will also be able to deliver clinical care for your patients to a high technical level. This clinical care is grounded in a deep theoretical knowledge base reinforced by key problem-solving skills. The undergraduate degree will serve as a solid foundation to pursue further career options upon graduation.

The NUI offers, through the University Dental School and Hospital, Cork, the postgraduate degrees of MDS, MDPH, DClinDent and PhD.

Qualified dentists may enter general practice, may enter the community dental service, or may undertake further study with a view to specialising in a number of disciplines or becoming university academics.

Our dental graduates may work in EU countries, Australia, Singapore, or Canada.

Requirements

Leaving Certificate entry requirements

At Least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H4 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.

Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:

Mature students

Applicants should apply directly through the CAO (www.cao.ie), include a statement of interest and some will be shortlisted for interview. An H4 in Leaving Certificate Chemistry and either Physics or Biology or equivalent is required (A HC2 if presenting a pre-2017 Leaving Certificate).

Find out about the mature entry requirements here.

International Students should visit the International Education website.

Fitness to Practise
This programme will be subject to UCC's Fitness to Practise Policy – full details may be found here 

Student Vetting
All students on this programme will come into contact with the public and assume positions of trust through educational and training opportunities. To ensure the protection of the public, and to justify public trust and confidence, UCC is committed to ensuring that only suitable candidates are allowed to undertake this programme.

Vetting is carried out by the Admissions Office in UCC once a student has accepted their place on the programme. It involves a police check to establish whether the individual being vetted has had criminal convictions in the past or whether any criminal proceedings are pending. The Garda Siochána provide this information for students who have resided in Ireland for a period of six months or more (including permanent residence).

All students who have resided outside Ireland for a period of six months or more must furnish a Police Clearance Certificate from their country or countries of residence. This certificate should state that the student has had no convictions recorded against them while residing there.

Fees and Costs

Course fees include a tuition fee, student contribution fee and capitation fee. The state will pay the tuition fees for EU students who are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme. The annual student Contribution and Capitation Fees are payable by the student. Please see Fees Office for more information.

How Do I Apply

EU Applicants

Application to Year 1 of the degree programme is made directly through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Applicants should apply online at www.cao.ie. The normal closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of entry. 

Mature Applicants  

Application is made through the CAO (www.cao.ie) and the closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of proposed entry.

Non-EU applicants

Non-EU applicants should visit the UCC International Education website

Dentistry provides a rewarding career in the provision of oral health care and is satisfying not only in terms of performing high-standard clinical procedures but also in terms of social interaction. The dentist also fulfills an important function in educating patients regarding their oral care.

Dentistry will appeal to students who have empathy for people, who are interested in their welfare and who like carrying out precision work with their hands. The University Dental School and Hospital encourage applications from mature students and from qualifying students with special educational backgrounds.

This five-year course incorporates the vertical integration of traditional pre-clinical and clinical subjects to deliver an educational experience and training which follows contemporary best-practice teaching methodologies. 

Year 1 Modules

• AN1005 Principles of Human Structure for Dentistry (5 credits)
• AN1006 Topographical Anatomy (10 credits)
• BC1024 Introduction to Biomolecules and Metabolic Pathways (10 credits)
• PL1001 Introduction to Physiology for Dentistry I (5 credits)
• PL1002 Introduction to Physiology for Dentistry II (10 credits)
• OH1001 Fundamentals of Dentistry I (15 credits) 
• OH1002 Fundamentals of Dentistry II (5 credits)

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; Behavioural 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 Programme and the Book of Modules for a more detailed description of programme modules.

Recognised Qualification

Tawjihiyah (General Secondary Education Certificate) PLUS 1 Year at Bachelor degree level from a recognised university with competitive grades in specific relevant subjects

Band 2 Programmes

Minimum Entry Requirements

Minimum average of 90% in Tawjihiyah (General Secondary Education Certificate) PLUS competitive grades in year 1 at Bachelor degree level.

International Baccalaureate   

Equipment and instruments

Each Third Year Dentistry student is required to make a payment of €1,500 for the use of dental hospital equipment and instruments as part of the total charge of €4,000. This payment can be made during registration week. The 2 remaining payments will be made at the start of Fourth Year and Final Year in the amounts of €1,500 and €1,000 respectively. You will also need to order scrubs in Year 1.

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.

• In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.

• Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.