About Dental Nursing (dipdn) in University College Cork

Dental Nursing Part-time: DDN Course Outline (part-time)

Dental Nursing Full-time: DDN Course Outline (full-time)

The UCC Diploma in Dental Nursing was designed to meet the needs of the general dental community and has standardised dental nurse training in Ireland. It was developed as a joint initiative between Cork University Dental School and Hospital and the Dublin Dental University Hospital.

Successful completion of this course will permit entry onto the Voluntary Register for Dental Nurses with the Dental Council of Ireland.

This course aims to provide you with the practical skills supported by the theoretical knowledge to develop an understanding of the dental nurse’s role and responsibility as part of the dental team.

Course Practicalities

Expected lecture hours

You are required to attend lectures each Wednesday evening from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.

Expected lab/practical hours

A practical workshop will take place in April for one week which all students must attend. You must complete 2,000 clinical hours over the 16-month period. This will be gained either in the workplace or in the University Dental School and Hospital if you are successful in securing a clinical training placement in the Dental School.

Fitness to Practise

This programme is subject to UCC's Fitness to Practise Policy – full details may be found here.

Garda Clearance

Scroll down to 'Requirements' for further details.

Why Choose This Course

This course delivers a high standard of education, using state-of-the-art technology to provide dental nursing education outside of the major dental hospital centres in Ireland.

Throughout the course, video-conferencing, online learning and mobile learning will be used to enhance the learning experience for you. The use of technology means we can reach students in various geographical locations in Ireland, as well as creating a blended learning environment for our students.

Skills and Careers Information

The Diploma in Dental Nursing provides you with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills that are highly sought by dental practitioners.

The employment rate of our graduates is extremely high and there is also an opportunity to travel with your qualification. Some of our graduates have obtained work in the UK, Australia and Canada.

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

University College Cork Highlights