RCSI lecturer and dentistry student)

Dentistry

Bachelor of Dental Surgery, BDS (Hons)
School of Dentistry

Why Dentistry at RCSI Dublin?

Introduction to Dentistry at RCSI webinar

Our upcoming webinars will give you the opportunity to hear faculty speak in-depth about the content of the programme, learn about the admissions process and ask any questions that you might have. We will host two webinars, one for EU (CAO) applicants at 5pm (GMT) on Wednesday, 12 November and one for international (Non-EU) applicants at 5pm (GMT) on Thursday, 13 November. Click on the relevant button below to register.

EU webinar

Non-EU webinar

RCSI’s new Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programme offers students a distinctive educational experience at a world-leading health sciences university. As an RCSI student, you will enjoy an immersive educational journey with a strong focus on acquiring the clinical and communication skills necessary to effectively practice in complex healthcare environments and to serve the oral health needs of diverse populations and cultures.

The BDS at RCSI is a five-year, full-time Undergraduate degree programme designed for students who want to study dentistry in a dynamic, clinically-focused environment. As one of Ireland’s leading dentistry courses and the first community-based dentistry programme in Ireland, the BDS combines cutting-edge facilities, early patient contact, and expert teaching to prepare you for a successful career in dentistry.

You will complete your clinical teaching and learning in one or more of RCSI’s modern, purpose-built Dental Education Centres (DEC) in Dublin. These facilities are designed specifically to meet the learning needs of dental students and to allow you to gain experience in clinical dentistry in a primary care community setting. The RCSI Simulated Dental Learning Environment (SDLE) is equipped with a comprehensive and extensive range of models, equipment and state-of-the-art patient simulators which enables you to develop and consolidate your clinical skills before you start treating patients.

Engagement with local communities throughout the course is one of the keys to you developing professionalism and social accountability skills, plus a real understanding of the needs and demands of different groups in the population. You will spend a considerable proportion of each year working closely with disadvantaged communities and other members of the wider healthcare team in your inter-professional engagement modules.

RCSI’s Dentistry programme ensures that you are fully prepared for a primary care dentistry career. In addition, it provides you with foundations on which to develop your knowledge and skills. This dentistry programme will also provide the basis for future entry into dental specialist training programmes for those who wish to do so.


Small-group teaching

Benefit from small-group teaching that promotes active learning and enables close interaction with your lecturers. This approach ensures you receive regular feedback and tailored academic support throughout your studies.

Early clinical experience

From Year 1, you will engage in supervised patient interactions – an essential feature that sets our dentistry course apart. This early clinical exposure helps you  to build confidence in your skills from the start of your BDS journey.

World-class dental facilities

Train in RCSI’s Simulated Dental Learning Environment (SDLE), a high-tech simulation space where you can safely develop and refine your clinical techniques in a low-risk environment before treating patients in real-life settings.

Community-based learning

Throughout the BDS programme, you’ll work closely with local communities, enhancing your professionalism as well as your understanding of social accountability and the diverse needs of patient populations.

Multidisciplinary environment

You will study alongside future healthcare professionals in Medicine, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, and Advanced Therapeutic Technologies. This inter-professional education reflects the collaborative nature of modern patient care.

Career-ready graduate

Our Dentistry course is designed to equip you with the transferable skills needed for a lifelong career in dentistry. You’ll receive comprehensive career guidance and support, helping you to confidently choose your next steps after graduation.

RCSI’s Bachelor of Dental Surgery, BDS (Hons) is a major award NFQ Level 8. It is accredited by the National University of Ireland (NUI) and by RCSI. The Dental Council of Ireland formally supports the launch of the programme in September 2025. The Council will undertake its first accreditation visit in the 4th year of the programme.


School of Dentistry

The new School of Dentistry at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences becomes just the third in the State, and the first to open in over 100 years. But dentistry is not a new endeavour for our University; we have a strong heritage in dental education and training, running an undergraduate dental school for 99 years up to 1976, granting a Licenciate in Dental Surgery to some 1,600 dentists. Theodore Stack, the first Professor of Dentistry in either England or Ireland was appointed at RCSI in 1884.

Read more about the School of Dentistry.

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