Course Overview

Applications are now closed for this year.

Are you interested in working as a Dental Nurse? This is a professional oriented course designed to provide graduates with the knowledge, skills, competences and attitudes to be a Dental Nurse and to facilitate progression within education, as part of further study. Dental nursing is a dynamic, people-orientated and fulfilling career. The programme is both innovative and learner centered with both work-based and blended learning elements to enhance the educational experience, by working in conjunction with Dental practices and through using technology to enhance learning. Students will be also be given opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities, such as volunteering, during their time in the college to facilitate and enrich their personal development.

Course Entry Requirements

The following are the entry criteria for the Dental Nurse programme:

• School leavers with a minimum of a grade O6 or H6 in five subjects or equivalent

• FET graduates with a Level 5 award or equivalent in a related field area

• Mature applicants can be assessed through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process for access purposes, based on their relevant prior learning and work experience .

Leaving Certificate Biology or Level 5 certification in Anatomy and Physiology or equivalent is desirable. All applicants will be interviewed, and must have sufficient competence in English to participate successfully. Where English is not an applicant’s first language, these applicants may be asked to undergo English language assessment in cases where no evidence is presented of a B2 level of English language proficiency. Applicants must have personal access to a computer and internet facilities for completion of the course work and engaging in blended learning. Marino College endeavours to provide an equal opportunities education and training setting. Students can be assessed to determine their level of learning support needs.

Modules List

Year ONE

• Foundations of Practice

• Clinical Dentistry I

• Dental Nursing Theory and Practice

• Dental Ethics, Communication and Team working

• Anatomy and Physiology - Oral and Systemic

• Professional Development I 

Year Two

• Clinical Dentistry II

• Health Promotion

• Dental Management and Leadership

• Professional Development II

• Innovation in Dentistry

Work placements must be agreed and approved before course commencement. All students must be Garda Vetted (NVB) and receive the Hepatitis B vaccination prior to taking up work placements.

Future Prospects

Upon qualifying, students are encouraged to extend their knowledge through participation of post qualification courses.

• B.Sc in Dental Practice Management with Oral Health Education  (Athlone IT) 

• Certificate in Oral Health Education (NUIG/Marino Institute)

• Certificate in Dental Radiography (Dublin Dental Hospital/UCD) 

• Dental Hygiene (TCD/UCC)

• Orthodontic Therapist (TCD)