Program Overview

Dental Nursing

Course Fact File

• Code: N/A
• Duration: Pathway 1: 16 months part-time (Special Purpose Award); Pathway 2: 2 years full-time (Clinical Training)
• Qualifications: DipDN
• NFQ Level: Level 7
• Fees: See Fees and Costs for full details.
• CAO Points: N/A
• Closing Date: Friday 14th March 2025

Course Outline

The UCC Diploma in Dental Nursing was designed to meet the needs of the general dental community and has standardised dental nurse training in Ireland. It was developed as a joint initiative between Cork University Dental School and Hospital and the Dublin Dental University Hospital.

Successful completion of this course will permit entry onto the Voluntary Register for Dental Nurses with the Dental Council of Ireland.

This course aims to provide you with the practical skills supported by the theoretical knowledge to develop an understanding of the dental nurse’s role and responsibility as part of the dental team.

Modules

Pathway 1: Part-time 16-month programme

• DN1001 Ethical Issues in the Provision of Dental Care (5 credits)
• DN1002 Microbiology and Cross Infection Control for Dental Nurses (15 credits)
• DN1005 Dental Anatomy and Physiology (Oral and Systemic) for Dental Nursing (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)
• DN1011 Oral Health and Development for Dental Nurses (10 credits)
• DN1012 Dental Practice Administration (5 credits)
• DN1013 Clinical Student Portfolio (20 credits)
• DN1015 Medical Emergencies for Dental Nurses (10 credits)
• DN1016 Dental Research-Based Project (15 credits)

Pathway 2: Full-time (Clinical Training) 2-year programme

Year 1

• DN1001 Ethical Issues in the Provision of Dental Care (5 credits)
• DN1002 Microbiology and Cross Infection Control for Dental Nurses (15 credits)
• DN1005 Dental Anatomy and Physiology (Oral and Systemic) for Dental Nursing (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)

Year 2

• DN2111 Oral Health and Development for Dental Nurses (10 credits)
• DN2112 Dental Practice Administration (5 credits)
• DN2113 Clinical Logbook (20 credits)
• DN2115 Medical Emergencies for Dental Nurses (10 credits)
• DN2116 Dental Research-Based Project (15 credits)

Course Practicalities

• Expected lecture hours: You are required to attend lectures each Wednesday evening from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.
• Expected lab/practical hours: A practical workshop will take place at Easter time for one week which all students must attend. You must provide proof of sixteen months chairside experience (with a minimum of 2000 hours completed within this period) in a dental practice within the Republic of Ireland.

Why Choose This Course

This course delivers a high standard of education, using state-of-the-art technology to provide dental nursing education outside of the major dental hospital centres in Ireland.

Throughout the course, video-conferencing, online learning and mobile learning will be used to enhance your learning experience. The use of technology means we can reach students in various geographical locations in Ireland, as well as create a blended learning environment for our students.

Skills and Careers Information

The Diploma in Dental Nursing provides you with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills that are highly sought by dental practitioners.

The employment rate of our graduates is extremely high and there is also an opportunity to travel with your qualification. Some of our graduates have obtained work in the UK, Australia and Canada.

Requirements

• All candidates are required to submit a personal statement with their application.
• Decisions on entry will be made on the basis of this statement for candidates who meet the Leaving Cert or mature requirements as set out below.
• Candidates for the part-time programme must be currently employed as a trainee Dental Nurse in a Dental Practice at the time of application.
• Candidates for the full-time programme may be invited to attend for an interview.

Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements

• O6/H7 in at least five subjects in the Leaving Certificate.
• Current Leaving Certificate students are welcome to apply.

Mature Students

• Mature applicants should be 23 years old on or before 1st January of the year of application.
• Mature applicants may be required to attend an interview.

English Language Requirements

• For English language requirements, please see the English Language Requirements for EU Applicants.

Fitness to Practice

• This programme is subject to UCC's Fitness to Practise Policy.

Student Garda 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.

Fees and Costs

• For course fees please refer to the 2025/2026 EU Undergraduate Fees Schedule for this programme:
  • Part-time: €2,500 total
  • Full-time: €3,207 per year (Student Contribution + Capitation Fee)

How To Apply

• Please note that this programme is currently open to EU applicants only.
• Application for 2025 entry is now closed.
• Non-EU candidates and applicants competing with a QQI FET qualification only are not eligible to apply for this programme.

School Leaving Part-Time applications:

• Leaving Certificate Results - Please upload your official school leaving examination results ensuring that your name is visible
• Evidence of English Language proficiency - if applicable
• Passport Photo - Please upload a passport style photo, not a photo of your passport
• Proof of Identity - Please upload a clear readable copy of one of the following; Passport/ Birth cert/ Irish Driving licence (credit card format)/ Marriage cert
• Transcripts - Please upload transcripts of examination results for each year to date for each of your qualifications.
• Verification of Employment and Employer Declaration form.

Mature Part-Time applications:

• Mature Applicants must be at least 23 years of age at time of application
• Applicants must be employed as a trainee dental nurse in a practice
• Evidence of English Language proficiency - if applicable
• Passport Photo - Please upload a passport style photo, not a photo of your passport
• Proof of Identity - Please upload a clear readable copy of one of the following; Passport/ Birth cert/ Irish Driving licence (credit card format)/ Marriage cert
• Verification of Employment and Employer Declaration form.
• Transcripts - Please upload transcripts of examination results for each year to date for each of your qualifications.

School Leaving Full-Time applications:

• Reference x 2 - Please upload two recent references that support your application, each on headed business paper.
• Leaving Certificate Results - Please upload your official school leaving examination results ensuring that your name is visible
• Proof of Identity - Please upload a clear readable copy of one of the following; Passport/ Birth cert/ Irish Driving licence (credit card format)/ Marriage cert
• Transcripts - Please upload transcripts of examination results for each year to date for each of your qualifications.

Mature Full-Time applications:

• Reference x 2 - Please upload two recent references that support your application, each on headed business paper.
• Mature applicants must be 23 years of age at time of application
• Evidence of English Language proficiency - if applicable
• Passport Photo - Please upload a passport style photo, not a photo of your passport
• Proof of Identity - Please upload a clear readable copy of one of the following; Passport/ Birth cert/ Irish Driving licence (credit card format)/ Marriage cert
• Transcripts - Please upload transcripts of examination results for each year to date for each of your qualifications.