| 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 | Wednesday 20th March 2024 |
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.
View the DDN 2024 Part-Time Course Outline
View the DDN 2024 Full-Time Course Outline
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)
Students are required to attend all lectures, tutorials and practical sessions.
See the College Calendar for more detailed information on the Programme and the Book of Modules for a more detailed description of programme modules.
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. This will be gained either in the workplace or in the University Dental School and Hospital if you are successful in securing a clinical training placement in the Dental School.
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.
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.
Vetting is carried out by the Admissions Office in UCC under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 (the Acts) once a student has accepted their place on the programme. This involves a police check to establish whether the individual being vetted has had criminal convictions in the past or whether any criminal proceedings are pending. The Garda Siochána provide this information for students who have resided in Ireland for a period of six months or more (including permanent residence).
All students who have resided outside Ireland for a period of six months or more must furnish a Police Clearance Certificate from their country or countries of residence. This certificate should state that the student has had no convictions recorded against them while residing there.
Further information can be found on our Student Garda Vetting page.
Fees and Costs
For course fees please refer to the 2024/2025 EU Undergraduate Fees Schedule for this programme : EU Undergraduate Fees 2024/25 | University College Cork (ucc.ie)
- Part-time: €2,500 total
- Full-time: €3,147 per year (Student Contribution + Capitation Fee)
Course fees include a tuition fee, student contribution fee and capitation fee. The state will pay the tuition fees for those that are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme. The annual student contribution and capitation fees are payable by the student. Please note this course is not eligible for SUSI funding.
Please see Fees Office | University College Cork (ucc.ie) for more information.
How To Apply
Please note that this programme is currently open to EU applicants only.
Application for 2024 entry is now closed.
Non-EU candidates and applicants competing with a QQI FET qualification only are not eligible to apply for this programme.
Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded with your UCC Apply Application so please have the following documents ready for upload.
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. You can upload a maximum of 5. If you have provided a valid UCC Number you do not need to upload transcripts
- Verification of Employment and Employer Declaration form. (A link to download this form will be made available on the supporting documents page of your application on UCC APPLY. Please download this form, print it, complete it and re-upload as an attachment)
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. (A link to download this form will be made available on the supporting documents page of your application on UCC APPLY. Please download this form, print it, complete it and re-upload as an attachment)
- Transcripts - Please upload transcripts of examination results for each year to date for each of your qualifications. You can upload a maximum of 5. If you have provided a valid UCC Number you do not need to upload transcripts
School Leaving Full-Time applications:
- Reference x 2 - Please upload two recent references that support your application, each on headed business paper. References should be signed and dated within the last 6 months)
- 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. You can upload a maximum of 5. If you have provided a valid UCC Number you do not need to upload transcripts
- Evidence of English Language proficiency - if applicable
Mature Full-Time applications:
- Reference x 2 - Please upload two recent references that support your application, each on headed business paper. References should be signed and dated within the last 6 months)
- 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. You can upload a maximum of 5. If you have provided a valid UCC Number you do not need to upload transcripts