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The role of the Hygienist is to perform clinical pre-diagnostic investigations for individuals as well as for groups in collaboration with and under the supervision of a registered dentist.
The Dental Hygienist works with preventive and therapeutic procedures aimed to prevent and/or control dental caries and periodontal diseases. The Dental Hygienist plans, implements and evaluates oral health in promotional and educational activities for groups and individuals.
The Diploma in Dental Hygiene is intended to enable students to acquire the competencies necessary to meet the requirements for entry to the Dental Council Register of Dental Hygienists.
Educational and Other Qualifications
Admission to the course is available to those in the following categories:
Leaving Certificate results containing the following minimum qualifications:
A minimum of Grade C3 on two Higher Level papers plus four other subjects at a minimum of Grade D3 on Ordinary Level papers which must include Mathematics, English and one of these subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Physics/Chemistry, Biology or Agricultural Science.
Certificate in Dental Nursing qualification:
Applicants who hold the Certificate in Dental Nursing, may be exempt from modules in their first year of the course.
Mature Applicants:
Special consideration will be given to those who have: work experience in dental nursing; experience in Community Health; the British Dental Nursing examination qualification; accumulation of Michaelmas Term Year Course modules on a part-time basis in the two years prior to application. Entry requirements may vary from school to school.
How to become a Dental Hygienist
This is two-year full-time day course leading to a University Diploma in Dental Hygiene. The educational and ethical policy of the course stresses prevention, primary care, an approach to holistic patient care and a modular approach to curriculum design.
Much emphasis is placed on small group interactive learning execution of practical projects and learning based on current scientific literature. Students of different dental professional categories are integrated in the course modules, thus enhancing the prospect of effective team work in their future careers.
Practical and Technical Training
Year 2 Modules ECTS
Medical and dental emergencies 7
The masticatory system 7
Computer - word processing 4
Infection and immunity 7
Oral pathology processes 7
Oral health care 7
Communication and health education 7
Practice management 7
Dental radiography 7
Year 2 Modules ECTS
Periodontology 8
Paedontics 8
Human diseases 8
Health education - the scientific approach 8
Pharmacology 8
Behavioural science 8
Teamwork 4
Course modules will vary from school to school. By the end of the course Dental Hygiene students should be able to:
· describe the role of the Dental Hygienist in the promotion of oral health and and the provision of primary oral health care
· plan, implement and evaluate oral health promotional and educational activities for groups and individuals
· carry out procedures to measure the levels of oral health, oral hygiene and loss of periodontal attachment in the mouth of individuals
· identify areas of periodontal attachment loss on radiographs
· place fissure sealant
· topically apply fluoride containing preparations and desensitising agents to the the teeth of individuals
· scale and root plan the teeth of individuals
· polish the teeth and restoration of individuals
· identify oral abnormalities which are to be brought to the attention of a dentist.
Employment and Promotional Prospects
Following completion of the course employment may be obtained in the private and public sector on a salaried, self-employed or sessional basis.
Examinations
Students are required to achieve credit for each module of the course before they may be awarded the Diploma. Some modules are prerequisites for others. Information on courses and examinations will be given to students at the commencement of the course.
Where to go for Further Information
School of Dental Science
Dublin Dental Hospital,
Lincoln Place,
Dublin 2.
University Dental School and Hospital,
Wilton,
Cork.
Tel: (021) 545100
The above information is provided by FAS National Occupation & Career Guidance Service |
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