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 dental nursing or dental hygiene qualification that is recognised by the Dental Council of Ireland.
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 are essential for completing the programme.
Programme Duration
The programme is 6 months in duration, from January to June.
Entry Requirements
All of the following requirements are necessary as part of the application for and entry to the programme:
1. Candidates must be employed as a Dental Nurse or Dental Hygienist in Ireland at time of application and throughout the duration of their study. If for any reason employment ceases, the student must inform their Tutor. All students of the programme require support from their employing practitioner to supervise their practical training and to assist with completion of their record of experience. This support must be verified by signature of the supervising dentist.
2. Candidates must hold a dental nursing or dental hygiene qualification that is recognised by the Dental Council of Ireland’s voluntary register for dental nurses or register for dental hygienists. Proof of qualification is required.
3. Candidates must be registered with the Dental Council of Ireland at the time of application. Proof of current registration (Certificate of Registration) is required on application to the programme. Registration is to be maintained following completion of the programme. Please note that the registration process may take up to 3 months to complete in some cases. For more details, see the Dental Council of Ireland's website: https://www.dentalcouncil.ie/registration/irish-graduates.
4. Candidates are required to provide the completed Supporting Documentation for the application with confirmation of the supervising dentist's support.
5. Candidates are required to provide current HIV, Hepatitis B & Hepatitis C documentation as part of the application - See Vaccinations section below. Please note: additional blood test results for BBV screening purposes (such as HIV results) are now part of the application process (Updated August 2026).
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 their 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 in a dental surgery in Ireland 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
The programme content is deliverd online, with some in person sessions taking place during the programme.
Computer and high-speed internet access is essential for undertaking the programme. Students must also have the internet browser: Google Chrome updated to the latest version on their computer.
The programme commences in January each year.
Attendance at the workshops or face-to-face meetings are essential and no student will be granted permissions to be exempted.
These take place on five Saturdays between January and June in the Dublin Dental University Hospital.
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 final written and practical examinations.
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.
This record is completed under the supervision of the supervising dentist and may be requested by the course tutor for review at any time.
Programme Fee
The fee for the January 2027 programme is €1,450. This fee is inclusive of the core textbook.
Vaccinations
Candidates are required to provide current Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C & HIV documentation.
All candidates must provide all of the following as part of the application:
1. Proof of non-infection with Hepatitis B. This must be dated within six months of applying to the programme. Candidates should ask their GP to carry out the following tests: HBsAg and HBcAb. The result should be negative. (In the presence of positive HBsAg or positive HBcAb, a negative HBeAg and negative HBV-DNA viral load result will be required).
2. Proof of non-infection with Hepatitis C. This must be dated within six months of applying to the programme. Candidates should ask their GP to carry out the following tests: hepatitis C antibody test. The result should be negative. (In the presence of a positive hepatitis C antibody test result, a negative PCR test for hepatitis C RNA will be required).
3. Proof of Hepatitis B immunity. This must be dated within six months of applying to the programme. Candidates should ask their GP to carry out the following test: anti-HBs. The result should be greater than 10mIU/mL. (If the result is less than 10mIU/mL, please contact your GP to discuss a Hepatitis B Booster vaccination). **Please note that this blood test result relates to Hepatitis B Titre levels, following the completion of a full course of Hepatitis B vaccinations**
4. Proof of blood test for HIV. This must be dated within six months of applying to the programme.
Candidates should print and/or show the above requirements to their GP to ensure that all the blood tests listed are carried out. Failure to provide any of the above will result in the application being rejected.
Please note: Candidates are required to submit these 4 blood test results for BBV screening purposes as part of the 2nd part of the application process (Updated August 2026).
For further information about these vaccination requirements for healthcare providers, candidates should consult the following:
1. The National Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland 2024, see Chapter 9 - Hepatitis B: https://www.hiqa.ie/sites/default/files/NIAC/Immunisation_Guidelines/Chapter_09_Hepatitis_B.pdf
2. Integrated Guidance on Health Clearance of Healthcare Workers and the Management of Healthcare Workers Living with Bloodborne Viruses (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV) (Nov 2025) https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/bloodbornevirus/BBVinHCWsGuidance.pdf
Applications
Applications for the Certificate in Dental Radiography programme 2027 are due to open in early September 2026, for a limited time only.
If you wish to add your name and email address to the Mailing List for the January 2027 programme, please email: [email protected]
Contact Details
For more information, or to add your name and email to the Mailing List for January 2027, please email: [email protected]