Program Overview

Overview of the Dental Hygiene Program

The Dental Hygiene program at Trinity College Dublin is a two-year, full-time diploma course that focuses on preventative oral care for both children and adults, including those with special needs. The program is based in the Dublin Dental University Hospital and has academic, project-based, and clinical components.

Program Details

• Duration: 2 years, full-time
• Award: Diploma (NFQ Level 7)
• Number of Places: 8
• CAO Points: 534 (2024)
• CAO Code: TR802

Admission Requirements

• Leaving Certificate: Applicants are required to present six subjects, including English, Mathematics, and one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Agricultural Science, or Physics/Chemistry.
• EU Mature Students: Applications may also be considered from mature applicants who do not satisfy the academic entry requirements but can demonstrate appropriate experience relevant to the course.
• English Language Requirements: All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band C (Higher Entry) English language requirements.

Course Structure

The program has academic, project-based, and clinical components, which are carried out in the Dublin Dental University Hospital, Health Services Executive, and general hospital settings. Emphasis is on small-group interactive learning, health promotion projects, evidence-based learning, and clinical practice.

First Year Modules

• Introduction to Applied Clinical Science
• Introduction to Clinical Practice
• Clinical Practice and Health Promotion

Second Year Modules

• Health Promotion
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Clinical Practice

Assessment

Assessment is by a combination of written assessments and examinations, objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), a community-based health education project, competence tests in various clinical procedures, completion of various logbooks, clinical credits demonstrating a reasonable level of patient care, and a final written and clinical examination.

Career Opportunities

The Diploma in Dental Hygiene conferred by Trinity entitles graduates to register immediately after graduation as a dental hygienist on the Register of the Irish Dental Council. Most dental hygienists will work in general dental practices or within the public health service. The opportunity exists to teach or become involved in research. The opportunity to work abroad also exists but may require sitting some local examinations in the country of choice. Further courses of study are available to dental hygienists, including the Diploma in Orthodontic Therapy.

Graduate Skills

After qualifying as a dental hygienist, graduates will be able to:

• Describe the role of the dental hygienist and function within a dental team in oral health promotion and the provision of primary health care.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate oral educational activities for groups and individuals.
• Carry out procedures to measure and assess the levels of oral health and oral hygiene.
• De-bride and polish the teeth.
• Place fissure sealants.
• Apply fluoride-containing preparations and desensitising agents to the teeth.
• Recognise abnormalities in the mouth and inform the dentist.
• Take dental radiographs.
• Administer local anaesthetic for dental hygiene procedures.
• Place temporary dressings and re-cement crowns temporarily.