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1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Doctorate
5. Orthodontics

Course Fact File

Code	DClinDent (Orthodontics)
Duration	3 years (Full time 36 month course)
Qualifications	DClinDent
NFQ Level	Level 10
Closing Date	March/April 2027
Credits	270 Credit, at the end of 3 years.
Professional Accrediting Body	Awarded a Doctorate in Clinical Dentistry (Orthodontics) by the National University of Ireland.
Start Date	October 2027

Course Outline

The Doctor of Clinical Dentistry is a full-time programme running for 36 months from the date of first registration for the programme. It is run on a cyclical basis with an intake of students in October 2027 with four students maximum per intake on a three year cycle. The Programme has a modular format and covers all aspects of contemporary clinical and theoretical Orthodontics. There is also a research component.

Candidates meeting the entry requirements will enter a specific training pathway (Orthodontics or Oral Surgery or Prosthodontics or Periodontology). 

Candidates will be required to complete a three year programme and accumulate 270 credits. The candidate's research must be carried out, and the thesis for the degree must be prepared, under the direction of the Supervisor. The Supervisor should assess the progress of the candidate and, if he/she arrives at the view that the candidate is unlikely to achieve the degree for which he/she is registered, this should be notified to the Head of Department who, following consultation with the Departmental Graduate Studies Committee, should communicate with the candidate without delay. Upon successful completion of the prescribed modules (including a research thesis completed under supervision of a staff member of the Dental School), students will be awarded a DClinDent.

Students on this DClinDent programme will be unsalaried and will be required to pay full programme fees (including Bench fees).

Course Practicalities

The DClinDent (Orthodontics) is a three-year full-time programme, combining taught modules with clinical training and research. Students complete 270 credits over three years, culminating in a thesis assessed at the end of Year 3. The course delivered in the Postgraduate Orthodontic Unit at the Cork University Dental School & Hospital.

Modules

Year 1 (90 credits)

Core Modules (10 credits)

• OH7016 Research Methods in Dentistry I (5 credits)

• PG6009 Graduate Information Literacy (5 credits)

Specialty Modules (40 credits)

• OH7000 Basic Orthodontic Subjects (10 credits)

• OH7017 General Biological, Health and Medical Subjects (10 credits)

• OH7018 General Orthodontic Subjects and Basic Orthodontic Techniques (20 credits)

Research (40 credits)

• Thesis work (assessed at the end of Year 3)

Year 2 (90 credits)

Core Modules (5 credits)

• OH7009 Research Methods in Dentistry II (5 credits)

Specialty Modules (45 credits)

• OH7004 Clinical Orthodontic Subjects (20 credits)

• OH7005 Multidisciplinary Orthodontic Treatment Procedures (5 credits)

• OH7007 Specific Orthodontic Treatment Procedures (10 credits)

• OH7014 Orthodontic Techniques (10 credits)

Research (40 credits)

• Continued thesis work (assessed at the end of Year 3)

Year 3 (90 credits)

Core Modules (50 credits)

• OH7010 Advanced Orthodontic Technique (20 credits)

• OH7011 Advanced Multidisciplinary Orthodontics (20 credits)

• OH7015 Advanced Specific Treatment Procedures (10 credits)

Research (40 credits)

• Completion of thesis (120 credits total, examined at the end of Year 3)

 

 

Why Choose This Course

The training program has received approval from the Irish Committee for Specialist Training in Dentistry. Upon successful completion of the program, the trainee will be awarded a Doctorate in Clinical Dentistry (Oral Surgery) by the National University of Ireland and will be eligible for registration as an Oral Surgeon in the Register of Dental Specialists maintained by the Dental Council of Ireland.

Candidate selection will consider the breadth and depth of relevant experience.

Skills and Careers Information

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Explain and interpret dentofacial and occlusal development;
• Describe the aetiology and management of craniofacial anomalies;
• Interpret and apply appropriately the health and safety, legal, managerial and ethical issues related to best orthodontic practice;
• Critically appraise and evaluate the orthodontic literature and undertake orthodontic research;
• Perform orthodontic diagnosis competently;
• Plan and manage malocclusions in a safe and competent manner;
• Prescribe and analyse appropriately radiographs taken for orthodontic assessment and treatment planning;
• Demonstrate competency in clinical biomechanics and recognise the biological effects;
• Demonstrate clinical assessment and understanding of craniomandibular dysfunction management.

Requirements

Applicants must have:

• Have a primary honours Dental degree (NFQ, Level 8) which can be registered with the Irish Dental Council;
• Have a minimum of two years postgraduate experience in Dentistry in a range of clinical and educational settings;
• Possess MFDS/MFD or equivalent

Fees and Costs

How To Apply