Research Ethics
It is the policy of the School of Dental Science that all research involving human participants or animals requires ethical approval and should comply with the guidelines set out in the Trinity College Dublin Good Research Practice Policy document. This policy covers the use of surveys and questionnaires for any participants (e.g. students, staff, patients), as well as clinical trials or observational studies. It is the School’s policy that research involving human participants must be approved by one of the following:
- School of Dental Science Ethics committee (see paragraph below for further information) - Level 2, low risk
- Faculty of Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee - Level 3, medium to high risk
- SJH/AMNCH Joint Research Ethics Committee (contact Ms Sadhbh O’Neill: ResearchEthics@tuh.ie) - Level 3, medium to high risk
- National Primary Care Research Committee – approval form this committee is mandatory for researchers who wish to carry out primary care related research in HSE facilities, or involving HSE primary care staff, service users or information pertaining to staff or service users. Approval from this committee should be sought for any such research, in addition to approval from a local level 1 or level 2 committee, as appropriate
- Potential applicants should download the guidelines for correct committee selection before submitting their application. The Chair of the Dental School Ethics Committee (gpmoran@dental.tcd.ie) can provide advice on which committee is appropriate for the study.
- Applicants should be familiar with the guidelines regarding research on women of childbearing potential.
- Completion of a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) is required as standard for research studies conducted in all clinical sites in which DDUH researchers are active.
ALL STUDIES INVOLVING PATIENTS OF THE DUBLIN DENTAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL REQUIRE THE APPROVAL OF THE CLINICAL DIRECTOR Dr Michael O'Sullivan (michael.o'sullivan@dental.tcd.ie) PRIOR TO SUBMISSION TO THE ABOVE COMMITTEES.
School of Dental Science Ethics Committee
The committee consists of members of academic staff. All staff and students should apply to the committee via the TCD Research Ethics Application Management System (REAMS) https://ethics.tcd.ie/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2F
Approval from other research ethics committees
When approval has been obtained from an external research ethics committee, a copy of the external ethical approval must be submitted to the Chair of the Dental School Ethics Committee (gpmoran@dental.tcd.ie) for noting by the School of Dental Science Research Ethics committee.
Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)
If your study involves collecting personal data or data from patient charts, you may be required to submit a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA). If submitting an ethics application to the Dental School Committee via REAMs, the system will indicate if this is required.
- Dental School staff and students should submit all DPIA forms to the TCD Data Protection officer (ResearchDPO@tcd.ie) in the first instance, preferably before submitting an application for ethical approval.
- If the study involves Dental Hospital staff or patient information, the TCD DPO will forward the DPIA to the DDUH DPO for additional review.
- Ethical approval will require upload of a letter of approval from the relevant DPO(s).
- It is recommended to commence the DPIA process several weeks in advance of the ethics submission.