About Dental Hygiene (dipdhyg) in University College Cork

Dental hygienists form an important complementary branch of the dental profession. Working under the supervision of a dentist, the dental hygienist carries out procedures such as:

• scaling teeth
• taking and recording radiographs 
• local infiltration and inferior block anaesthesia
• application of fissure sealants
• application of desensitising agents
• dietary advice.

A career in dental hygiene will appeal to students who have empathy for people, who are interested in their welfare, and who like carrying out precision work with their hands.

The first year is spent between the university campus and the School of Dental Hygiene studying basic medical science and introductory elements of dental hygiene.

The second year is spent in the School of Dental Hygiene/University Dental School & Hospital.

Students benefit from small class numbers and from intense patient contact during the latter stages of training.

Skills and Careers Information

The dental hygienist may work under the supervision of a dentist in general practice, in the Health Service Executive, or in a dental hospital, or may consider undertaking further study to work as an instructor.

Academic qualification equivalents

 1.    All India Senior School Certificate 

 2.    Higher Secondary Certificate / Standard 12 

 3.    Indian School Certificate (Year 12) 

Band 1 Programmes

Minimum average of 90% + in any of the recognised secondary school qualifications.

Band 2 Programmes

Minimum average of 80-89% in any of the recognised secondary school qualifications.

Band 3 Programmes

Minimum average of 75-79% in any of the recognised secondary school qualifications.

Additional Requirements

Where Maths is required for a specific degree programme, a minimum score of 85% in Maths is required.

Where a Lab Science subject is required for a specific degree programme, a minimum score of 85% is required in the appropriate Lab Science subject.

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS: 6.5  Minimum individual sections 5.5
• TOEFL: TOEFL 90  Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing 17
• PTE: 63 Minimum individual sections 51

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