New facilities for Dublin dental students
by Guy Hiscott
Dublin Dental University Hospital has new education facilities, providing space for the Dental Hospital library, additional seminar rooms for teaching, a new materials science laboratory and academic staff offices.
The facilities were officially opened in December 2010 by Mary Coughlan TD, Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills.
At the opening ceremony, Ms Coughlan said: ‘I would like to thank the Board for its work in delivering this wonderful facility, which will underpin significant teaching and academic activity.
‘I am also pleased to get this opportunity to tell the non-executive appointees on the Board, who give so generously of their time without any remuneration, that their work is much appreciated.’
Mary Coughlan, minister for education and skills, with staff and students in the new library
Dublin Dental University Hospital is the only hospital in Ireland to cater for all careers in dentistry, including dental technician, hygienist and nursing, as well as providing ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) education.
The hospital also provides clinical training for dental students from Trinity College. In more recent years, and in line with international best practice, this has involved training students from the beginning of their courses and the hospital now trains 40 dental students from each of the five years of study.
It also trains students in the dental postgraduate specialties of oral surgery, orthodontics, paediatric dentistry, periodontology, prosthodontics and special care dentistry. There are 20 specialist postgraduates currently in training.
On the research front, the Hospital has a biosciences and materials sciences laboratory, as well as undertaking research in areas including:
• Oral candida
• Biocompatibility of dental materials
• Implants
• Oral cancer.
