The Certificate in Dental Radiography is run by the Dublin Dental Hospital in association with Diagnostic Imaging, UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science.
Programme Overview
The Certificate in Radiography is a programme designed for dental professionals currently working in dental surgeries who hold a dental nursing or dental hygiene qualification that is recognised by the Dental Council of Ireland.
This programme is delivered online, and supported by face-to-face teaching in your dental surgery and practical sessions in the dental hospital.
A computer and internet connection are essential (preferably high speed/broadband connection).
Programme Duration
The programme is 6 months in duration, from January to June.
Entry Requirements
The following requirements are necessary for entry to the programme:
1. Candidates must be employed as a Dental Nurse or Dental Hygienist in Ireland at time of application and throughout the duration of their study. If for any reason employment ceases, the student must inform their Tutor. All students of the programme require support from their employing practitioner to supervise their practical training and to assist with completion of their record of experience. This support must be verified by signature of the supervising dentist.
2. Candidates must hold a dental nursing or dental hygiene qualification that is recognised by the Dental Council of Ireland’s voluntary register for dental nurses or register for dental hygienists. Proof of qualification is required.
3. Candidates must be registered with the Dental Council of Ireland at the time of application. Proof of current registration (Certificate of Registration) is required on application to the programme. Registration is to be maintained following completion of the programme.
4. Candidates are required to provide the completed Supporting Documentation for the application with confirmation of the supervising dentist's support.
5. Candidates are required to provide current Hepatitis B & Hepatitis C documentation as part of the application - See Vaccinations section below.
Programme Award
Registered candidates who have successfully completed:
· All required examinations and assessments of the programme
· The record of clinical experience in the exposure of dental radiographs, verified by their employing practitioner to the satisfaction of the programme tutor.
· Attend all practical sessions as set out by the programme tutor
will be awarded a Certificate in Dental Radiography awarded by the Dublin Dental Hospital in association with Diagnostic Imaging, UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science.
Course Structure
The candidate must be employed in a dental surgery in Ireland throughout the duration of their study. Dentist support, supervision and record of experience assessment are essential to complete the programme.
If for any reason employment ceases, or employer changes, the student must inform their course tutor. A time period appropriate to the situation will be allowed to the student to resume employment.
Course Delivery
The programme content is deliverd online, with some in person sessions taking place during the programme.
Computer and high speed internet access is essential for undertaking the programme. Students must also have the internet browser: Google Chrome updated to the latest version on their computer.
The programme commences in January each year.
Attendance at the workshops or face-to-face meetings are essential and no student will be granted permissions to be exempted.
These take place on five Saturdays between January and June in the Dublin Dental University Hospital.
Assessment
The programme is assessed on a continuous basis using a combination of online formative assessments, completion of the necessary practical technique training session, a portfolio of experience and final written and practical examinations.
Students are required to complete a portfolio of experience, which is a record of their skills, knowledge and clinical experience gained in the workplace over the programme’s duration, which must be submitted for assessment. This record is completed under the supervision of the supervising dentist and may be requested by the course tutor for review at any time.
Programme Fee
The fee for the January 2025 programme is €1,150. This fee is inclusive of the core textbook.
Vaccinations
Candidates are required to provide Hepatitis B & Hepatitis C documentation.
All candidates must provide all three of the following documentation as part of the application:
1. Proof of non-infection with Hepatitis B. This must be dated within six months of starting the programme. Candidates should ask their GP to carry out the following tests: HBsAg and HBcAb. The result should be negative. (In the presence of positive HBsAg or positive HBcAb, a negative HBeAg and negative HBV-DNA viral load result will be required).
2. Proof of non-infection with Hepatitis C. This must be dated within six months of starting the programme. Candidates should ask their GP to carry out the following tests: hepatitis C antibody test. The result should be negative. (In the presence of a positive hepatitis C antibody test result, a negative PCR test for hepatitis C RNA will be required).
3. Proof of Hepatitis B immunity. This must be dated within six months of starting the programme. Candidates should ask their GP to carry out the following test: anti-HBs. The result should be greater than 10mIU/mL. For further information please contact: DentalNurseTutor@dental.tcd.ie
Candidates should print and/or show the above requirements to their GP to ensure that all three blood tests are carried out. Failure to provide any of the above will result in the application being rejected.
For further information about these requirements for healthcare providers, candidates should consult the following:
Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland 2013: Chapter 4: Immunisation and Health Information for Health Care Workers and Others in ‘At Risk’ Occupations: http://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/
The Prevention of Transmission of Blood-Borne Diseases in the Health-Care Setting (Department of Health and Children 2006) https://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/Hepatitis/BloodborneVirus/File,4352,en.pdf
Applications
Applications are now closed for the Certificate in Dental Radiography programme 2025.
If you wish to add your name and email address to the Mailing List for the January 2026 programme, please email: DentalNurseTutor@dental.tcd.ie
Contact Details
For more information, or to add your name and email to the Mailing List for January 2026 please email: DentalNurseTutor@dental.tcd.ie