This 16 month part-time, outreach programme aims to provide the Dental Nurse with practical skills supported by the theoretical knowledge required to understand the Dental Nurse's role and responsibility as part of the dental team.

Students must have successfully completed the Leaving Certificate with a minimum of a Grade D3 at Ordinary Level in five subjects or equivalent examination OR be over 23 years of age and must have secured clinical placement at the time of application.
From 2017 onwards students must have successfully completed the Leaving Certificate with a minimum of a Grade O6 in five subjects or equivalent examination OR be over 23 years of age and must have secured clinical placement at the time of application. (New grading scheme- TGRUSE)

Fitness to Practise

Commencing with the 2013/2014 intake of first year students (including repeats), this programme will be subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy - full details may be found here.

In order to be admitted to the University Examination in Dental Nursing, a student must have satisfactorily attended (subsequent to entry to the College of Medicine and Health) prescribed modules amounting to 120 credits:

DN1004 Microbiology and Cross Infection Control for Dental Nurses (10 credits)
DN1005 Dental Anatomy and Physiology (Oral and Systemic) for Dental Nursing (10 credits)
DN1006 Ethical Issues in the provision of Dental Care (10 credits)
DN1007 Dental Pathology and Disease (10 credits)
DN1008 Restorative Dentistry for Dental Nurses (10 credits)
DN1009 Oral Surgery for Dental Nurses (10 credits)
DN1010 Medical Emergencies for Dental Nurses (5 credits)
DN1011 Oral Health and Development for Dental Nurses (10 credits)
DN1012 Dental Practice Administration (5 credits)
DN1013 Clinical Logbook (20 credits)
DN1014 Dental Research Based Project (20 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme are contained in the Marks and Standards 2017 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2016/2017

Two Year Rule
Students must pass/progress within two academic years of first registration for each year of the programme. Students are permitted to repeat any academic year once only and may not repeat any more than two academic years in any one programme.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Diploma in Dental Nursing (NFQ Level 7, Special Purpose Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Recognise the importance of cross infection control and demonstrate its application in the clinical dental environment.
• Apply knowledge and understanding of the anatomical and physiological structures in the oral cavity and provide an overview of the structure and function of systems relevant to dentistry.
• Enable the student to discuss and debate ethical and professional issues in relation to Dental Nursing and describe the role of the Dental Nurse within the dental team.
• Demonstrate an understanding of oral pathology and disease as it applies to the work of the Dental Nurse.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the basic theory and practical application of skills in Restorative Dentistry.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and clinical practice of oral surgery and oral medicine.
• Apply knowledge and understanding on how to respond appropriately to medical emergencies in the dental surgery.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the basic theory and its practical application in the following areas: Orthodontics, Paediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health.
• Enable the student to demonstrate an awareness of the principles of practice administration.
• Obtain, record and have verified their clinical practice.
• Demonstrate an understanding of given topics in relation to Dental Nursing which develops their research and presentation skills.