Dentistry Schools and Programs in Ireland

Dentistry Studies in Ireland

Dentistry in Ireland is a five-year university degree taken straight after secondary school. It is taught in English at university dental schools attached to teaching hospitals, where students treat patients under supervision. Our directory lists two universities in Ireland that teach dentistry: University of Dublin, Trinity College, in Dublin, and University College, Cork (UCC), in Cork.

How the degree is organised

Both degrees are honours bachelor degrees at Level 8 of Ireland's National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and take five years of full-time study:

• Bachelor of Dental Science (B.Dent.Sc.) at Trinity College Dublin, CAO code TR052, with 32 places
• BDS (Hons) in Dentistry at UCC, CAO code CK702

Students enter from secondary school; neither course page asks for a previous degree or a dental admission test.

Trinity's course is based in the Dublin Dental University Hospital on the Trinity campus. Much of the teaching uses problem-based learning. Students observe in clinics in first year and begin treating their own patients, under supervision, in second year. The later years cover areas such as restorative dentistry, child dental health, oral medicine, oral surgery and public dental health.

At UCC, teaching takes place at Cork University Dental School and Hospital in Wilton. The first two years concentrate on anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and the fundamentals of dentistry; third year adds practical restorative dentistry and clinical skills, and the final two years centre on dental surgery, restorative dentistry and oral health and development.

Admission and language

Irish and other EU applicants apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Entry is competitive: the CAO points for Trinity's course were 625 in 2025, and UCC lists 625 for 2026. Applicants also need science subjects. Trinity asks for grades H3 and H4 in two of physics, chemistry and biology (or equivalent A-level or International Baccalaureate grades). UCC asks for a minimum H4 in chemistry and in either physics or biology.

Applicants from outside the EU apply directly to the university: to Trinity through its own application link and to UCC through the UCC Apply portal. Non-EU applicants need school qualifications equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate and proof of English. Trinity requires an IELTS overall score of 7.0 with no band below 7.0 for this course. Both universities also require police vetting (Garda vetting), and Trinity adds health screening, because students work with patients.

Students from outside the EU and EEA who stay more than three months need a long stay "D" visa where one is required for their nationality. Education in Ireland, the government's study portal, lists among the requirements a letter of acceptance, proof that the fees are paid, evidence of €10,000 in funds and private medical insurance.

Costs

For EU students who qualify under the Free Fees Scheme, the State pays the tuition fees, and the student pays the annual student contribution and smaller charges, according to UCC. Non-EU students pay full fees. Education in Ireland gives a range of €50,135 to €62,500 per year for undergraduate medicine and health sciences courses in 2025-26; the exact fee for dentistry is published by each university.

Dentistry has extra costs. At Trinity, students buy a dental instrument kit in second year, at an approximate cost of €3,500. UCC charges a total of €4,000 for the use of Dental Hospital equipment and instruments, spread over third to fifth year.

Registration and recognition

Dentists in Ireland must be registered with the Dental Council, which was established under the Dentists Act 1985. The Council keeps the Register of Dentists and checks the standard of education in the State's dental schools. Graduates in dentistry from a university in Ireland can apply for full registration; the Council recommends allowing three months for the process.

According to Trinity, its degree entitles EU citizens to register with the Dental Council and with the regulatory bodies of other EU countries. Graduates who want to practise outside the EU may have to pass further examinations. Ireland has a mutual recognition agreement with Canada, and the Dental Council also lists one with New Zealand.

A third programme is being developed: the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) took in its first dental students in 2025. The Dental Council states that RCSI expects this intake to be eligible to register in 2030, but that the risk of delayed accreditation cannot be entirely ruled out.

Dentists who trained outside the EU and want to work in Ireland usually have to pass the Dental Council Examination for Dentists.

Careers

Newly qualified dentists work in general dental practice, providing state-funded or private care, or in the salaried public dental service. Others continue studying to specialise or to work in universities. UCC lists the postgraduate degrees MDS, MDPH, DClinDent and PhD at its dental school.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to become a dentist in Ireland?

The dentistry degree takes five years of full-time study at both Trinity College Dublin and UCC. Registration with the Dental Council follows graduation.

Is there a dental admission test in Ireland?

The course pages of Trinity and UCC do not list one. EU applicants compete on CAO points and must meet the science subject requirements; non-EU applicants apply directly to the university.

What English level is needed to study dentistry in Ireland?

Trinity College Dublin requires an IELTS overall score of 7.0 with no band below 7.0 for Dental Science. UCC asks non-native speakers to prove their competence in English.

Can I practise abroad with an Irish dentistry degree?

According to Trinity, EU citizens who hold its degree can register in other EU countries, and Irish dental graduates can practise in Canada under a mutual recognition agreement. Other countries may require their own examinations.