Dentistry is an important profession that can help improve the quality of the lives of patients. After all, gum and teeth health is important for our overall health.
If you are planning to pursue a career in dentistry, check out our list of the best dental schools in Ireland. We’ve researched different universities all over the country and compiled the best ones here.
But before starting our list, let us first see how much you will be spending on your studies.
Cost of Dental Schools in Ireland
The price for a degree or diploma in dentistry depends upon the university you will study in. However, those who are qualified can have their fees covered by the Higher Education Authority.
In case you are not qualified, the range for this is within €10,000 – €50,000 for undergraduate courses and €10,000 – €30,000 for postgraduate studies.
The Best Dental Schools in Ireland
We’ve reviewed different dental schools in Ireland using the following criteria:
1. University College Cork
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Reputation | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Research publications | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Awards and accreditations | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Curriculum | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Tuition fee | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Student reviews | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Ease of accessing academic platforms | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Openness to student concerns | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
University College Cork has one of the most complete offerings for dental education for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies. This includes Dental Surgery, Nursing, and Hygiene.
We liked that they highly value providing equal services and opportunities to their students, which is evident in the Athena Swan Bronze Award they’ve received.
This was given after two years of assessments and education of their team. The title ensures that the university is a comfortable space for many.
UCC’s dental schools house more than 17,000 students and are well-known throughout the country for the quality of their dental education. The works of these students are also well-cited in academic publications.
Their curriculum is well-made, as it establishes dental foundations well during the first year and progresses by building on the previous semester’s topics. None of the subjects feels out of place or unnecessary.
It is easy to learn more about their programmes through their website, as it provides comprehensive information and is easy to browse.
They have a pricey fee for using dental equipment, though, as it can reach €6,500 on top of tuition.
Pros
- Offers multiple dental courses, both undergraduate and postgraduate
- Prioritises equality
- Home to more than 17,000 students
- Well-made curriculum
Cons
- Pricey
Customer Reviews
Great college in a fabulous location
“Great college in a fabulous location in the city centre. Wide facilities available to students and lecturers and the views in the campus are amazing, inspiring many photographers and artists alike.
When one walks through the campus, one is happy to go to lectures whether it be wind rain or snow, it has a cosy, friendly atmosphere especially on clear days in May when students and visitors sit on the presidents garden.
Great, inspiring lecturers and there’s a range of different courses available to everyone.” – Lucy M, Google Reviews
Simply amazing
“I’ve had a pleasure to study there and it’s always gonna be one of my best memory. I highly recommend to visit this amazing place or start education there. Simply amazing.” – Katarzyna Okrzesik, Google Reviews
2. Trinity College Dublin
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Reputation | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Research publications | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Awards and accreditations | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Curriculum | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Tuition fee | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Student reviews | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Ease of accessing academic platforms | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| Openness to student concerns | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
Trinity College Dublin is one of the few universities that offer courses in Dental Technology, Orthodontic Therapy, and Dental Science, which instantly makes them stand out.
We liked that they emphasise clinical dentistry even for undergraduate studies. This helps in making postgraduate studies easier for future practitioners.
They also do not limit their postgraduate education to dentists, as they offer certificate courses in Dental Radiography for dental nurses and hygienists. With their diploma programme in Clinical Dental Technology, graduates from other universities can also study this specialty.
Their Conscious Sedation programme is also recommended by many for its well-made curriculum and relatively short length.
Applying for student exchange and Erasmus programmes is also easy with them, as they have established a network with schools in Norway and Sweden.
Research is also their expertise, and they contributed a lot to academic literature about oral cancer, microbiology, regenerative dentistry, and biomaterials.
The only downside with them is that the selection process for their programmes is very competitive, especially for the courses unique to them.
Pros
- Offers unique dental courses
- Offers postgraduate programmes to dental hygienists and nurses
- Easy access to exchange programmes
- Known for contributions in dental research
Cons
- Very competitive selection process
Customer Reviews
Beautiful campus
“Beautiful campus, clean safe, worth visiting the book of Kells excibition, bars around that attract a diverse student crowd, national gallery is close by and a big park, recommended!” – Anastasios K, Google Reviews
Makes an effort to ensure students have help
“I love going to college in Trinity, especially now since campus has opened back up. The facilities such as the libraries and the gym are great. The college also makes an effort to ensure students have help for whatever they need, and know who they can ask for help whenever.
” – Member review from Student Crowd
3. Athlone Institute of Technology
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Reputation | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Research publications | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Awards and accreditations | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Curriculum | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Tuition fee | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Student reviews | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Ease of accessing academic platforms | ★★★★☆(3/5) |
| Openness to student concerns | ★★★★☆(3/5) |
Athlone Institute of Technology has a well-developed curriculum for Dental Nursing. It is balanced among clinical dentistry, business, and technology subjects.
What makes their course especially attractive for students is that they can easily apply for the Dental Practice Management with Oral Health Promotion program after this. Through this, they can easily be promoted to senior positions once they work.
The course is short, taking only two years to finish. It is approved by the Dental Council of Ireland, which makes applying for Dental Nursing positions easier.
They are also well-received by many international students because their enrollment system is friendly for them. Many students also liked their campus culture and life, which is always important to ensure a well-rounded college experience.
We also liked that their entry requirements are attainable for many, requiring only ordinary level in five subjects from your Leaving Certificate. It includes grades in Mathematics, English, and Science.
However, they do not offer a full programme for dentists and are only limited to those eyeing a career in Dental Nursing.
Pros
- Good campus culture
- Short but well-made curriculum
- Good for international students
- Undemanding entry requirements
Cons
- Offers only Dental Nursing
Customer Reviews
Very good and helpful teachers
“It’s situated in one of the biggest town in Ireland. There are a very good and helpful teachers. I like very much the facy the international studenst are mixed with Irish students.” – Michael U from iAgora
Good choice of faculties
“Good choice of faculties. A good social life.” – Marta K from iAgora
4. Atlantic Technological University
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Reputation | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Research publications | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Awards and accreditations | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Curriculum | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Tuition fee | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Student reviews | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Ease of accessing academic platforms | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Openness to student concerns | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Atlantic Technological University’s curriculum is centred around dental nursing skills such as patient-communication, disease control, and legal issues.
While this is excellent for the profession, we still found it lacking in terms of giving mobility for students to pursue further courses or degrees in the future.
For example, more subjects focusing on Clinical Dentistry and Dental Pharmaceuticals can help expand a nurse’s skill set for higher positions.
The programme can be taken within two years, which makes it excellent for further education and mature students. Scholarships are also easy to apply for with them.
We liked the ease of entering the programme, as they have minimal Leaving Certificate requirements. Their website also has special guides for Further Education applicants, Northern Ireland and UK students, and mature applicants.
Their system for work placement is convenient for students. Through this, students have more practical applications of what they’ve learned.
Their offerings are limited to dental nursing, though, which means that those who want to be dentists need to look for other universities.
Pros
- Minimal entry requirements
- Offers many scholarships
- Good work placement system
Cons
- Limited to a course in dental nursing
- Curriculum is limited in scope
Customer Reviews
The faculty is very helpful and cooperative
“Great place.
I really find this place my 2nd home. Most of things are automated here which is very interesting for me. LYIT is equipped with latest technology and with every needy services which makes it a unique institute.
The faculty is very helpful and cooperative here which makes students more comfortable like their own home.
My very Best wishes for LYIT.” – Zain Ali from Google Reviews
Best in the west!
“Best in the west! I attend this college and I would recommend it. Friendly environment and great clean facilities.” – Garth from Google Reviews
5. Marino College of Further Education
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Reputation | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Research publications | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Awards and accreditations | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Curriculum | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Tuition fee | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Student reviews | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Ease of accessing academic platforms | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| Openness to student concerns | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
Marino College’s only offering is a dental nursing programme. It is especially for school leavers, those who’ve taken Further Education and Training, and those who can pass the test for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
We liked how the curriculum supplies students with the core elements of dental nursing while giving supplementary subjects to enhance their educational foundation. This successfully supports their mission of providing equal educational opportunities for all.
Furthermore, it includes numerous mentorship programmes and extracurricular activities to keep it interesting.
Pursuing further education is also easy with them, as they can recommend you to institutions like Athlone IT, Trinity College Dublin, and University College Dublin. The courses you can take are also broad in scope and includes Oral Health Education, Dental Hygiene, Orthodontic Therapy, and more.
Working students will find their learning set-up to be convenient, as it has a healthy blend of both online and face-to-face meetings. Their location is also easy to reach via rapid transit, bus, and tram.
The only limitation with them is they don’t offer a programme to make you a full-time dentist. However, by taking the postgraduate courses in their dental nursing one, you can easily have a career in the industry.
Pros
- Specially catering to school leavers and FET graduates
- Possibility of taking postgraduate courses after
- Convenient schedule for working students
- Good location in Dublin 1
Cons
- Limited course offering
Customer Reviews
Overall a great experience
“Overall a great experience studying in Marino College of Further Education. Would highly recommend it.” – E. Kelly from Google Reviews
Excellent
“Excellent Further Education college” – Frank Barr from Google Reviews
FAQs about Dental Schools in Ireland
In case you need dental services for yourself, check out our entries for the best dentists depending on your location in Ireland here: