Dental Surgery (D.Ch.Dent.)

Course details

The Dublin Dental University Hospital provides a clinical doctorate programme those results in the award of a Doctorate in Dental Surgery (D.Ch.Dent.) from Trinity College Dublin. There are six individual strands, five of which are currently available to applicants:

• Paediatric Dentistry
• Periodontology
• Prosthodontics
• Oral Surgery
• Special Care Dentistry

The clinical training programme is recognised as meeting the entry criteria for the speciality FFD examinations held by the Faculty of Dentistry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

It is the intention of the courses to develop clinical skills in the light of currently available scientific knowledge. Students are required to attend a course of study and to pass written and clinical examinations throughout the course. There is a significant academic component including design and completion of a research project with the submission of a thesis at Doctorate level at the end of the third year. The thesis will be the subject of a viva voce examination.

The first year of the programme is designed to provide a background in relevant sciences and to develop basic skills within the chosen speciality. The emphasis during the 2nd and 3rd years is on the development of high levels of diagnostic ability, treatment planning, operative skills and patient management.

Below is a brief description of each strand:-

1. Paediatric Dentistry – Course Director Dr. Anne O’Connell

The Paediatric Dentistry Training Programme prepares the student both didactically and clinically to manage the child patient (0-16 years) at specialist level in a variety of settings (clinic, hospital, private practice). Clinical experience is provided under consultant supervision in the Dublin Dental University Hospital and in two Paediatric Hospitals. The volume and variety of patients includes healthy children, children with traumatic injuries, children with challenging behaviour, medically compromised children, children with dental anomalies/ syndromes etc. Treatment is provided under local anaesthesia, relative analgesia or general anaesthesia. Interdisciplinary care is co-ordinated with the other specialty programmes. The programme has six modules. In addition, the student is required to complete one or more research projects and present at international meetings. Publication of clinical and research work is encouraged.

2. Periodontology – Course Director Dr Ioannis Polyzois

This course in Periodontology focuses on the management of periodontal conditions and the planning and execution of oral Implant therapy. The course includes didactic and clinical components and provides the basis for continuing professional development after completion of the programme. Students will be instructed in clinical periodontics and Implant Dentistry with emphasis on the scientific basis for treatment. The course has been developed with the intent that it should be recognised for speciality training by the Dental Council of Ireland under the auspices of the relevant advisory committee of the Irish Committee for Specialist Training in Dentistry. Students will undertake a research project leading to a thesis. The course leads to the award of Doctorate in Dental Surgery (D.Ch.Dent). Publication of clinical and research work is encouraged. The course is currently accredited by the European Federation of Periodontology.

3. Prosthodontics – Course Director Professor Brian O’Connell

This programme prepares the student for the clinical practice of prosthodontics at specialist level and provides the basis for continuing professional development after completion of the programme. Students will thoroughly explore the prosthodontic literature and become competent in the clinical/laboratory aspects of fixed and removable prosthodontics, including dental implantology. Students will learn how to diagnose, plan and execute high quality prosthodontic treatment for a range of patients. They will have the opportunity to use state-of-the-art materials and equipment, including CAD-CAM restorations, computer-aided implant placement and fully adjustable articulators. The course explores the use of high strength ceramics and high-aesthetic situations. The Prosthodontic programme works closely with periodontics, especially in treatment planning for implant patients. In addition, students attend multidisciplinary clinics for the treatment of dental trauma, developmental disorders (including hypodontia) and cancer surgery defects.

4. Oral Surgery – Course Director Professor Leo Stassen

MFD or equivalent is a requirement for entry on this course. Experience in a hospital setting and in oral surgery is advisable. Publications in peer review journals are an advantage. The emphasis will be placed on the practical aspects of Oral Surgery (dentoalveolar surgery, implants, intra-oral soft tissue surgery and bone grafting). There are strong links with Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and other dental specialties, especially Periodontology, Prosthodontics and Special Needs Dentistry. There is a very strong component of Conscious Dental Sedation and students undertake the ACLS Course. Oral Surgery is a recognised Dental Speciality in Ireland. There are strict criteria for entry on the Oral Surgery Specialist Register in Ireland and advice on this is available on the Dental Council website.

5. Special Care Dentistry – Course Director Prof. June Nunn

The professional doctorate in Special Care Dentistry runs over three years, full time. It is possible for the course to be offered part-time, over five years. In their first year, in addition to modules in the Dublin Dental University Hospital, students follow selected modules as part of the MSc in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, in the School of Psychology in University College Dublin. Clinical rotations take place in partner hospitals in Dublin. The teaching and learning will be apportioned broadly as follows: 60% clinical, 40% didactic. The didactic component will include a research dissertation. The total ECTS to be applied to this course is 270 credits of which 90 will be attributed to the research dissertation.