Overview

This is a two-year, full-time day programme leading to a University Diploma in Dental Hygiene. The programme is confined to students who have met the minimum entry requirements and who have completed their school leaving examination by the closing date for application, or such students of mature years as may be recommended for entry by the College of Medicine and Health. 

Students must be at least 18 by 15th October in the year of proposed entry to the programme. Interested applicants should contact the Admissions Office, University College Cork before Easter for programme details etc.

Garda Vetting

Students, or applicants in receipt of an offer, on this programme will be subject to Garda Vetting as relevant. Students will be prohibited from engaging in a relevant work placement unless the vetting process has been cleared. Click here to view UCC's Student Garda Vetting Policy.

Fitness to Practise

Commencing with the 2013/2014 intake of first year students (including repeats), this programme will be subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy - full details may be found here.

First Year - Dental Hygiene

In order to be admitted to the First University Examination in Dental Hygiene, a student must have satisfactorily attended, subsequent to entry to the College of Medicine and Health, prescribed modules amounting to 60 credits.

Second Year - Dental Hygiene

No student may enter the Second Year of the Diploma in Dental Hygiene until he/she has passed the First University Examination in Dental Hygiene. In order to be admitted to the Diploma in Dental Hygiene University Examination, a student must have satisfactorily attended (i.e. the Second Year), subsequent to registration for the Second Year of the Diploma in Dental Hygiene, prescribed modules amounting to 60 credits.

Programme Requirements

For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements. 

Programme Requirements

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Year 1
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
AN1004	The Anatomical Basis of Dental Hygiene	15
PL1011	Basic Science for Dental Hygiene	15
RD1004	Clinical Dental Hygiene 1	5
RD1005	Clinical Dental Hygiene 2	10
RD1006	Theoretical Dental Hygiene 1	5
RD1007	Theoretical Dental Hygiene 2	10
Year 2
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
OH2001	Preventive Dentistry and Dental Public Health	10
RD2001	Periodontology	15
RD2003	Clinical Dental Hygiene	20
RD2008	Clinical Prevention	10
RD2009	Dental Hygiene Project	5
Total Credits		120

Programme Learning Outcomes

Programme Learning Outcomes for the Diploma in Dental Hygiene (NFQ Level 7, Special Purpose Award)

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

• Apply knowledge and understanding of the basic anatomical and biological and clinical sciences and recognise the difference between normal and pathological structures;
  
• Apply knowledge and understanding of the normal physiological functions and differentiate between conditions/disorders relevant to clinical dental hygiene practice;
  
• Obtain and record a complete history and examination of the patient's medical and oral state, interpreting the findings in order to evaluate oral and periodontal conditions;
  
• Apply current concepts of prevention and treatment of oral disease that support the maintenance of oral health;
  
• Promote and improve the oral health of individuals and the community;
  
• Display an appropriate caring behaviour towards patients and appropriate professional behaviour towards all members of the dental team;
  
• Demonstrate understanding of relevant research methodologies and be able to carry out a comprehensive literature search of a topic relevant to dental hygiene;
  
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the ethical and legal responsibilities involved in the provision of care to individual patients and the community;
  
• Communicate effectively with patients, their families, relatives and carers, and with other health professionals involved in their care.