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Health Sciences
172
Module 6: Clinical practice II (30 ECTS)
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Clinical experience in a variety of settings
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Radiography – portfolio of experience
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Administration of local anaesthesia
After qualifying as a dental hygienist you will be able to:
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Describe the role of the dental hygienist and function within
a dental team in oral health promotion and the provision of
primary health care
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Plan, implement and evaluate oral educational activities for
groups and individuals
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Carry out procedures to measure and assess the levels of
oral health and oral hygiene
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Debride and polish the teeth
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Place fissure sealants
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Apply fluoride-containing preparations and desensitising
agents to the teeth
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Recognise abnormalities in the mouth and inform the dentist
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Take dental radiographs
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Administer local anaesthetic for dental hygiene procedures
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Place temporary dressings and re-cement crowns
temporarily
Assessment
Assessment is by written examinations during the two years, a
community-based health education project, competence tests
in various clinical procedures, completion of various logbooks,
clinical credits demonstrating of a reasonable level of patient
care and a final written and clinical examination.
Your degree and professional
practice
The Diploma in Dental hygiene conferred by Trinity College
Dublin entitles graduates to register immediately after graduation
as a dental hygienist on the Register of the Irish Dental Council.
This registration is mandatory for working as a dental hygienist
in Ireland.
Career opportunities
As a dental hygienist, you have the option of being self
employed or employed. You may find employment in general
or specialist dental practices, in the Health Services Executive,
in hospitals and institutional settings and within the commercial
sector.
Further information
(Select the Education link)
Contact: Lecturer in Dental hygiene: Catherine Waldron RDH,
MSc.
E-mail:
Tel: +353 1 612 7369
Dental nursing (diploma)
COURSE CODES:
PLACES 2012:
POINTS 2011:
DEGREE AWARDED:
TR801
25
330
Diploma
Entry Requirements:
Leaving Certificate
A pass in English, mathematics and in four other subjects,
one of which must be physics, chemistry, biology,
agricultural science or physics/chemistry.
Of the six subjects presented, two must be of a standard
of at least grade C3 on ordinary Leaving Certificate
papers. The remaining four subjects must be presented
to a standard of at least grade D3 on ordinary Leaving
Certificate papers
Garda Vetting:
Students will be required to undergo Garda vetting. See
page 26 for further details.
What is a Dental nurse?
The dental nurse plays an important role in the organisation
and management of the dental practice, assists the dentist in
all aspects of patient treatment and plays a vital role in patient
care. The main duties of a dental nurse include: infection control
prevention, chair-side assistance, management of medical
emergencies and patient care.
The modern dental nurse trains in all aspects of clinical practice
and dental health education. This course gives you the skills
and practical competence needed to work in a dental surgery.
You learn about the day-to-day running of a dental practice
and acquire the qualifications for entry to the Dental Council
Voluntary Register of Dental Nurses.
Dental nurses are valuable members of the dental team. This is
an auxiliary profession, supporting members of the dental team
in the delivery of dental treatment.
Main duties include infection control, chair-side assistance,
preparation and maintenance of the dental surgery, and patient
care.
Skills required of students considering dental nursing should
include the following: communication and organisation skills, the
ability to use initiative, good manual dexterity and to be prepared
to work closely providing support and assistance during the
provision of dental treatment. The dental nurse may also be
involved with the administration of the dental surgery.
