Certificate in Dental Radiography

 

The Certificate in Dental Radiography is run by the Dublin Dental Hospital in association with Diagnostic Imaging, UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science.

Programme Overview

The Certificate in Radiography is a programme designed for dental professionals currently working in dental surgeries who hold a recognised (Dental Council) dental nursing or dental hygiene qualification.

This programme is delivered online and supported by face-to-face teaching in your dental surgery and practical sessions in the dental hospital. A computer and internet connection is essential (preferably high speed/broadband connection).

Programme Duration

The programme is 6 months in duration.

Entry Requirements

The following requirements are necessary for entry to the certificate programme:
· Students must hold a recognised dental nursing or dental hygiene qualification that satisfies entry onto the Dental Council of Ireland’s voluntary register for dental nurses or register for dental hygienists. Proof of qualification and registration are required.
OR
· Students that are enrolled in the National Dental Nurse Training Programme of Ireland (NDNTP) the year immediately preceding
commencement of the programme. (i.e. those students that have successfully completed all components of the NDNTP, but are awaiting their diploma at the graduation ceremony) are eligible for entry onto the programme.
· All students require support from their employing practitioner to supervise their practical training and fill in their record of experience. This support must be verified by signature of the supervising dentist.

Programme Award

Registered candidates who have successfully completed:
· All required examinations and assessments of the programme
· The record of clinical experience in the exposure of dental radiographs, verified by your employing practitioner to the satisfaction of the programme tutor.
· Attend all practical sessions as set out by the programme tutor
will be awarded a Certificate in Dental Radiography awarded by the Dublin Dental Hospital in association with Diagnostic Imaging, UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science.

Course Structure

The candidate must be employed throughout the duration of their study. Dentist support, supervision and record of experience assessment are essential to complete the programme. If for any reason employment ceases, or employer changes, the student must inform their course tutor. A time period appropriate to the situation will be allowed to the student to resume employment.

Course delivery

All academic sessions (lectures, demonstrations, and tutorials) will be delivered using a range of appropriate teaching  methodologies.

All course materials will be available through the programme website (except the text and XCP kit which are included when the course fee is paid). Computer and high speed internet access is essential for undertaking the programme. Students must also have Adobe Acrobat 9 installed on their computer (available free for download) as well as power point or a power point viewer.

The programme have two intakes of students per year, January and August.

Each student must have a valid email address.

Attendance at any workshops or face-to-face meetings are essential and no student will be granted permissions to be exempted.

Assessment

The programme is assessed on a continuous basis using a combination of online formative assessments, completion of the necessary practical technique training session, a portfolio of experience and a final online examination.

Students are required to complete a portfolio of experience, which is a record of their skills, knowledge and clinical experience gained in the workplace over the programme’s duration, which must be submitted for assessment to the Dental Schools. This record is completed under the supervision of the supervising dentist and any time may be requested by the course tutor for review at any time.

Programme Fee

The fee for this programme is €750.00. This fee is inclusive of an XCP kit and the core textbook.

Vaccinations

In accordance with the current Irish Dental Council Guidelines vaccination against the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is strongly  recommended for all clinical dental personnel. Vaccination is also advised against tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, and tetanus.

Students are required to show proof of adequate Hep B titre levels. “It is essential to accurately determine the health-care worker’s response to the vaccine and that the anti-HBs level is checked 2-4 months after completion of the primary course. An anti-HBs level of 100miu/ml or greater is considered to reflect an adequate response to the vaccine and to confer protective immunity.” (Department of Health and Children, 2005)

Department of Health and Children, (2005). The Prevention of Transmission
of Blood Borne Diseases in the Health-Care Setting. Ireland

For further information please go to http://dentalradiography.learnonline.ie/