Program Overview

Diploma in Dental Surgery Assistance

The Diploma in Dental Surgery Assistance is a one-year course that provides thorough theoretical knowledge, skills, and competences associated with knowledgeable, caring, and professional behavior in various health settings where the dental team operates.

Course Overview

The aim of this course is to deliver the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge underpinning the practice of dental assistance. It is intended for individuals interested in advancing the standards of their vocation. The course will provide a sufficient body of knowledge to enable students to undertake their prescribed work with care, safety, and responsibility and to recognize the full scope of their remit.

Course Objectives

The objectives of this course are to:

• Provide thorough knowledge and reflection to enable students to practice their vocation in a professional and accountable manner.
• Provide a sound knowledge of oral and general health and disease.
• Provide principles of public health and basic oral health education and prophylaxis techniques to patients.

Eligibility

Eligibility to the Diploma course is through:

• The successful completion of the Preparatory Course for Diploma in Dental Surgery Assistance or
• Evidence of DSA qualifications.

Study Programme

The course is a full-time, one-year program consisting of 60 ECTS credits. Students will acquire clinical training and learn and consolidate their clinical skills by being exposed to a number of clinics under the remit of the various specialties, as well as in the dental laboratory.

Compulsory Units

The compulsory units for the course are:

• DSG1000: Clinical Training for Dental Assistants (16 ECTS)
• ORC1009: Dental Specialties for Dental Assistants 9 - Preventive and Community Dentistry (4 ECTS)
• DNS1012: Applied Human Biology and Anatomy for Dental Assistants (4 ECTS)
• DNS1014: Dental Specialties for Dental Assistants 4 - Child Dental Health (4 ECTS)
• DNS1015: Dental Specialties for Dental Assistants 5 - Dental Imaging (4 ECTS)
• ORC1000: Dental Specialties for Dental Assistants 1 - Prosthodontics (4 ECTS)
• ORC1002: An Introduction to Practice Management (4 ECTS)
• RDN1002: Dental Specialties for Dental Assistants 2 - Conservative Dentistry (4 ECTS)
• DNS1013: Dental Specialties for Dental Assistants 3 - Oral Surgery, Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine (4 ECTS)
• DNS1016: Dental Specialties for Dental Assistants 6 - Orthodontics (4 ECTS)
• ORC1003: Clinical Ethics (4 ECTS)
• ORC1007: Dental Specialties for Dental Assistants 7 - Periodontology (4 ECTS)
• ORC1008: Dental Specialties for Dental Assistants 8 - Special Care Dentistry (4 ECTS)
• ORC1010: Dental Specialties for Dental Assistants 10 - Geriatric Dentistry (4 ECTS)

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the program, students will be able to:

• Discuss ethical rights in a clinical and community-based setting, using legal and ethically acceptable policies.
• Ensure health and safety precautions of patients in clinical settings using clinically acceptable policies.
• Assist as part of a dental team in clinical procedures associated with treatment of dental disease.
• Perform instrument/equipment sterilization techniques in an effective manner.
• Report basic clinical data of patients in treatment records, as instructed by dental clinicians, by using clinically acceptable indices.
• Perform tasks in dental practice management, such as stock keeping and communication with patients.

Tuition Fees

The total tuition fee for non-EU applicants is Eur 10,800.

Career Prospects

As a graduate, students will be employable within the private sector and in government health services. If students are in possession of a Diploma in Dental Surgery Assistance (Second Class or better), they will be able to progress to the Bachelor courses offered by the Faculty of Dental Surgery.