Basic HTML Version
Health Sciences
174
Dental science
COURSE CODES:
PLACES 2012:
POINTS 2011:
DEGREE AWARDED:
TR052
32
570*
B.Dent.Sc.
Special Entry Requirements:
Leaving Certificate
HB3 + HC3 In two of: physics,
chemistry, biology,
physics/chemistry or
agricultural science.
If you do not have
a qualification in
physics you must
present mathematics
at OC3/HD3 or better
Advanced GCE (A-Level)
Grade B + Grade C
In two of: physics,
chemistry or biology
If you do not have
a qualification in
physics you must
present GCSE
mathematics at grade
B or better
Combinations of subjects not permitted:
Physics/chemistry with physics or chemistry
Agricultural science with biology
All offers of admission to this course are made subject to
infectious disease testing. See precautions against infectious
diseases page 198.
Garda Vetting:
Students will be required to undergo Garda vetting. See
page 26 for further details.
Course overview
This five-year programme is designed to ensure that graduates
can safely and effectively deliver the full range of primary dental
care, including prevention, diagnosis and treatment of oral
and dental diseases. Treatment involves areas such as the
restoration of damaged teeth, the correction of irregularities, the
replacement of missing teeth and surgical procedures such as
the removal of teeth.
Is this the right course for you?
Yes, if healthcare in general interests you and if you would
like to specifically focus on oral healthcare and its impact on
individuals. The nature of dentistry makes it essential that
you also have an ability to build a caring and professional
relationship with patients, co-workers and the wider community.
You should also enjoy undertaking clinical practice that is
physically and mentally demanding as it requires considerable
attention to detail with small margins for error. The course is long
(five years) and intense as the academic year is much longer
than for students of other courses.
Why study at Trinity College?
This course is based in the Dublin Dental University Hospital
at Trinity College. The clinical facilities are of a very high
standard with emphasis on the use of information technology.
The curriculum is delivered in a problem-based learning (PBL)
format, which aims to provide you with the skills to continuously
evaluate and update your knowledge and clinical practice
through your professional career. The class sizes are small
ensuring that students receive considerable staff input into their
progress throughout the programme.
Problem-based learning (PBL)
Problem-based learning (PBL) is designed to encourage
students to learn subjects such as chemistry, biochemistry and
physiology in an integrated manner and in a context that is
relevant to the future clinical situations in which the knowledge
will be applied. Structured problems are set to meet specified
learning objectives and students organise themselves (under
supervision) to undertake research to find out about how to
achieve the learning objectives. Problem-based learning also
encourages students to engage in self-directed learning and
aims to provide graduates with the skills necessary for life-long
learning which is a requirement for all health care professionals.
Course content
The course is delivered mainly through small-group tutorials
(PBL) that consist of student-led discussions on topics and
problems presented and facilitated by staff. These topics tie in
with the development of the practical and clinical skills that you
will develop in laboratories and clinics. Lectures, demonstrations,
simulations, audiovisual and e-learning opportunities are also
provided as appropriate.
You will provide patient care under the strict supervision of
qualified dental staff from the second year onwards.
The first dental year
During the first dental year you will cover the following subject
areas (approximately 30 hours per week):
n
PBL tutorials (6 hours/week)
n
Anatomy workshops and lectures
n
Physics project-based learning
n
Introduction to dentistry
n
Computer applications (ECDL)
n
Behavioural science
n
Ethics and law