Program Overview

Dental Hygiene Programme

The Dental Hygiene programme is a two-year undergraduate course designed to meet the needs of the dental community. It leads to a highly rewarding career that provides a valuable health service and establishes relationships with patients.

Course Outline

Dental hygienists form an important complementary branch of the dental profession. Working under the supervision of a dentist, the dental hygienist helps patients maintain their oral health by preventing and treating gum disease and promoting good oral health behaviour. Dental Hygienists are permitted to carry out the following procedures:

• Give advice in relation to oral health, including dietary advice
• Scaling, polishing and debridement of teeth
• Taking and processing radiographs
• Administer local infiltration and inferior block anaesthesia
• Apply fissure sealants
• Apply desensitising agents

Course Practicalities

Year 1 is spent between the university campus and the Cork University Dental School and Hospital studying basic medical sciences and introductory elements of dental hygiene. Year 2 is spent in the Cork University Dental School & Hospital and at other local clinical placements.

Modules

The Dental Hygiene programme is an undergraduate programme delivered over two years as follows:

Year 1

• AN1004 The Anatomical Basis of Dental Hygiene (15 credits)
• PL1011 Basic Science for Dental Hygiene (15 credits)
• RD1004 Clinical Dental Hygiene I (5 credits)
• RD1005 Clinical Dental Hygiene II (10 credits)
• RD1006 Theoretical Dental Hygiene I (5 credits)
• RD1007 Theoretical Dental Hygiene II (10 credits)

Year 2

• OH2001 Preventive Dentistry and Dental Public Health (10 credits)
• RD2001 Periodontology (15 credits)
• RD2003 Clinical Dental Hygiene (20 credits)
• RD2008 Clinical Prevention (10 credits)
• RD2009 Dental Hygiene Project (5 credits)

Why Choose This Course

Our Diploma in Dental Hygiene is designed to meet the needs of the dental community. It leads to a highly rewarding career that provides a valuable health service and establishes relationships with patients. Training at Cork University Dental School and Hospital (CUDSH) is provided by highly experienced staff in an environment with access to a wide range of patients. On successful completion of the programme you can apply for registration as a Dental Hygienist with the Dental Council of Ireland.

Skills and Careers Information

The dental hygienist may work under the supervision of a dentist in general practice, in the Health Service Executive, or in a dental hospital, or may consider undertaking further study to work as an instructor. Graduates may undertake additional training that falls within the Dental Council of Ireland's scope of practice for Dental Hygienists.

Requirements

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age by October 15th in the year of proposed entry to the programme, and must hold a Leaving Certificate or equivalent at the time of application or be applying on the basis of mature years.
• Leaving Certificate requirements: Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. Subjects must include Irish (unless exempt), English, another language, Mathematics and Biology.
• Mature Students: Mature applicants should be 23 years old on or before 1st January of the year of application and provide evidence of Leaving Certificate Biology (or equivalent).
• Fitness to Practise: 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.

Fees and Costs

For course fees please refer to the 2025/2026 EU Undergraduate Fees Schedule for this programme. The HEA will pay the Tuition Fees for those who are eligible under the Free Fees Initiative.

How To Apply

Application for 2026 Entry is now open. Non-EU candidates and applicants competing on the basis of a QQI FET qualification only are not eligible to apply for this programme. Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded with your application.