Dentistry Schools and Programs in Ireland

Dentistry Studies in Ireland

For students pursuing a degree in dentistry, the country of Ireland offers a number of unique advantages as a study abroad destination.  Despite being an island nation, Ireland is bursting with history, culture and excitement, and its universities and specialty programs are highly regarded for their excellence and the accomplishments of their graduates. 
 
The Irish people place a strong value on education and boast a long history of academic and professional excellence.  Moreover, each of its many high-performing universities welcomes the presence of international students, making it the preferred study abroad locale for thousands of foreign-born students every year.  Ireland has produced four Nobel Laureates in Literature, and its long, storied and quite remarkable history and culture are regularly celebrated throughout the country through festivals and other celebrations.  Dublin, the capital and largest city in Ireland, is the major political and economic hub of the country, but it is also a vibrant and colorful city with countless sights and attractions to behold.
 
Although Ireland was founded as an agricultural nation, most of the population now resides in its major urban centers, where people gather to work and play.  The country is home to a variety of cultural events throughout the year, such as the Saint Patrick’s Day Festival and the National Ploughing Championships, held annually in Dublin and often attracting a half million people or more. 
 
Ireland plays host to a large number of museums, art galleries and performance arts venues, all of which offer additional opportunities for students to become immersed in the Irish culture.  As for entertainment, students will have no trouble filling their free time when not busy with their classroom studies.  Ireland is home to scores of restaurants, shops, theaters and nightclubs, but perhaps what best personifies the laidback style of the Irish people are the thousands of Irish pubs scattered throughout the country, where students can share a pint of their favorite ale while listening to the stories of the Irish people.

Dentistry Education in Ireland

Dentistry education in Ireland typically spans four years in duration and is similar in format to medical school, with two years of basic instruction in the medical and dental sciences, followed by two years of clinical training (with continued didactic coursework).  Students who wish to attend one of the dental schools in Ireland must have at least two years of general education under their belt, although most of the better dental schools require students to first earn a Bachelor degree before being considered for admission, usually in a science-related field such as biology or chemistry.  Students must also pass the national dental school admissions examination prior to admittance, which measures student proficiency in a number of different academic and cognitive areas.

Before graduating from dental school, every dental student must successfully complete the Irish equivalent of the National Board Dental Examination Part I and II.  The exam is typically taken at the end of the second year after the majority of the didactic courses have been completed.  Among other included topics, the Irish dental licensing examination covers subjects such as gross anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, pathology, and dental anatomy and occlusion. The second part of the exam deals with operative dentistry topics and techniques, including:

• Pharmacology
• Periodontics
• Endodontics
• Oral Surgery
• Pain Control
• Prosthodontics
• Orthodo ntics
• Oral Pathology
• Pedodontics
• Radiolog y

Following graduation, new dentists who have passed the licensing examination can either begin practicing or apply to a residency program. Some residency programs train dentists in advanced general dentistry such as General Practice Residencies and Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residencies, commonly referred to as GPR and AEGD. Most GPR and AEGD programs are one year in duration but several are two years long or provide an optional second year.

Why Study Abroad in Ireland
 
Apart from the excellence of its universities—many of which are internationally ranked—and the quality of its dental education programs, Ireland offers many benefits as a study abroad destination.  Students hailing from the United States and Canada will feel right at home from a linguistic standpoint when they elect to study in Ireland.  Most university programs in the country are instructed using the English language and a large majority of the population, particularly the younger set, speaks English as their first language.  Although it may take a week or two for students to become accustomed to the Irish accent, the absence of a language barrier can help make this type of study abroad experience more fruitful and definitely more comfortable.
 
Although there is much to see and do in Ireland itself, the country also offers the advantage of being very close in proximity to other European countries, most notably the United Kingdom, but also a short plane ride away from France, Spain, Germany and Portugal, among others.  Many students who have studied in Ireland have been known to take full advantage of this proximity during their school breaks, effectively transforming their study abroad experience into a world-class European holiday.
 
Opportunities for sightseeing and entertainment abound in the country of Ireland.  In cities such as Dublin, for example, visitors will find scores of museums, galleries, performing arts venues and historical landmarks to explore, as well as a number of shops, boutiques and fantastic restaurants, serving both local and international fare.  Here students can also take a tour of the Guinness Beer factory, where they’ll witness the process involved in making one of the world’s favorite dark ales.  The Galway Arts Festival, located in the city of the same name, also offers an opportunity to soak up the culture of Ireland and beyond, featuring the works of local and foreign-born painters and sculptors from around the world.  And of course, no trip to Ireland would be complete without a visit to the Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone, on which a kiss, according to legend, will bring good luck throughout the year.
 
The history, culture and entertainment offered in Ireland, together with the excellence of its academic system and the friendliness of its people makes this island country one of the best options as a study abroad locale.