Dental Nursing - Athlone
What is this course about?
This course will give you the clinical competence to work as a dental nurse. Students with an interest in teamwork and communication will be supported to assist within a dental team. The dental nursing student will participate in dental placement enabling students to communicate, demonstrate clinical skills, administration duties and problem solve within their scope of practice under the supervision of a registered dentist.
| Award Name | Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Technological University of the Shannon |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Major | Technological University of the Shannon | Level 6 NFQ |
Duration
2 years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Grade O6 at ordinary level in 5 subjects in the Leaving Certificate to include a laboratory-based science subject, Mathematics, and a language (English or Irish).
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Foundation Level Irish
Foundation Level Irish at Grade F2 will meet the minimum language requirement for all courses.
Bonus Points for Honours Mathematics
25 bonus points will be awarded to any CAO applicant who has gained a grade H6 or higher in Leaving Certificate Honours Mathematics. For example, if an applicant receives a H6 grade an additional 25 points will be added to the 46 points already awarded for a H6 grade i.e. Higher Level Mathematics now carries a points score of 71 for this applicant.
Foundation Level Mathematics*
Foundation Level Mathematics at Grade F2 or higher is acceptable as meeting the Mathematics requirement for the following courses:
Courses located in Limerick, Thurles and Ennis Campuses:
US808/US703 Music Production & Technology
US807/US702 Creative Broadcast & Film Production
US920/US922 Social Care Work (Limerick / Thurles)
US923/US781 Social Care Work (Ennis)
US640 Sports Development & Coaching
US954/US785 Sports Development & Performance
US953/US787 Business Studies with Sports Management
US941/US791 Business Studies with Event Management
US940/US790 Business Studies with Travel & Tourism Management
US946/US792 Business Studies with Beauty & Spa Management
US927/US783 Early Childhood Education & Care
US931 Culinary Entrepreneurship
US795/US631 Culinary Arts
Courses located in Athlone Campus:
US926/US780 Early Childhood Education & Care (ECEC)
US782 Applied Social Studies in Social Care
US921 Social Care Practice
US700 Graphic Design
US802 Animation and Illustration
US803 Graphic and Digital Design
US778 Animation and Illustration
*Please note, this list is correct at the time of print
GARDA VETTING
To ensure the protection of the public and justify public trust and confidence, TUS uses the Garda Vetting Unit (GCVU) service to assess the suitability of applicants to courses:
Athlone based courses:
US877 General Nursing
US878 Mental Health Nursing
US921 Social Care Practice
US780/US926 Early Childhood Education & Care (ECEC)
US782 Applied Social Studies in Social Care
US950 Nutrition and Health Science
US951 Sport Science Exercise Physiology
US956 Athletic and Rehabilitation Therapy
US957 Physical Activity and Health Science
US788 Exercise and Health Science
Limerick, Thurles and Ennis based courses:
US801 Art & Design Teacher Education (Limerick)
US640 Sports Development & Coaching (Limerick)
US958/US786 Applied Sports Science with Strength & Conditioning (Thurles)
US959/US789 Applied Sports Science with Performance Technology (Thurles)
US953/US787 Business Studies with Sports Management (Limerick)
US954/US785 Sports Development & Performance (Limerick)
US927/US783 Early Childhood Education & Care (Limerick)
US940/US790 Business Studies with Travel & Tourism Management (Limerick)
US941/US791 Business Studies with Event Management (Limerick)
US920/US922 Social Care Work (Limerick/Thurles)
US923/US781 Social Care Work (Ennis)
US928 Community & Addiction Studies (Limerick)
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Points will be awarded for LCVP Link Modules as follows:
Pass: 28 points Merit: 46 points Distinction: 66 points
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
QQI FET Applicants General Information
TUS accepts QQI-FET/FETAC awards for entry on all courses of study. The following minimum entry requirements will apply to graduates of QQI-FET/FETAC qualifications who are seeking admission to courses at TUS.
HIGHER CERTIFICATE (LEVEL 6)
Minimum entry: A full QQI FET/FETAC Level 5 award totalling 120 credits.
AB-INITIO BACHELOR DEGREE (LEVEL 7)
Minimum entry: A full QQI FET/FETAC Level 5 award totalling 120 credits.
AB-INITIO HONOURS BACHELOR DEGREE (LEVEL 8)
Minimum entry: A full QQI FET/FETAC Level 5 award totalling 120 credits and including a Distinction Grade in at least three modules.
Please note that special requirements may exist for particular courses, for example, a requirement
for a particular subject such as Mathematics.
A full QQI FET/FETAC award normally contains 8 modules.
A full award may be accumulated over more than one academic year. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the applicant to contact QQI FET/FETAC for a full award where programmes are taken over more than one year. A QQI FET/FETAC Level 5 or Level 6 Record of Achievement does not meet the minimum entry standards.
The maximum possible total score will be multiplied by 13 and divided by 12, to give a maximum overall points score of 390 for applicants from further education and training.
If a QQI FET/FETAC applicant also presents a Leaving Certificate, the CAO will use whichever is the better.
Applicants to Restricted Application courses or courses where a Portfolio is required will have their Portfolio Score added to their QQI FET/FETAC Score
Careers / Further progression
What can I do after the course?
Many dental nurses progress to Senior Dental Nursing roles and Clinical Dental Nurse managers. Other progressive parts include Dental Nurse Tutor / Educators, Practice Management, Treatment Co-Ordination, Marketing representatives within the dental field and Oral Health Promotion. Further study pathways include; Orthodontic therapy, Dental Hygiene, Sedation training, Radiography, and Dental Implant nursing.
Further information
A limited number of places are available for mature applicants (23 years of age or over on the first day of January on the year of application). Mature applicants must satisfy the minimum entry requirements for the programme and will also be assessed through face-to-face interview.
Trade Qualifications
A trade applicant, seeking admission to the first year of a course, should do so through the CAO. Such application may be on the basis of National Craft Certificate, Senior Trades or Advanced Tourism Certification Board (NTCB)/QQI qualifications, instead of, or in addition to, Leaving Certificate results. TUS welcomes applications from such candidates. Possession of these awards at advanced level normally qualifies an applicant for entry to TUS.
Other Qualifications
Applicants with qualifications other than those listed above (including EU and overseas qualifications) should apply in the usual way, giving full details of their qualifications/application category on their application.
Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Why take this course?
Dental nurses play an essential role in the dental practice. They assist the dentist during dental procedures. Their duties include:
• Preparing the surgery and assisting at chair-side during dental procedures.
• Infection, Prevention and control procedures including decontamination of dental instruments, equipment and dental surgeries.
• Recording dental charting, maintaining treatment records and assisting with developing dental radiographs.
• Liaising and supporting patients and dental colleagues in the case of a medical emergency and delivering appropriate oral health promotion advice.
They may also be responsible for administrative duties, such as making appointments and bookkeeping. Employment opportunities include private dental practice, dental hospitals, and the public sector (HSE).
Modules at a glance:
Clinical Dental Nursing Placement, Clinical Dentistry, Infection Prevention and Control, Dental & Human Anatomy, Health and Safety in Dental Practice and Oral Health promotion.
• The Higher Certificate in Science (Dental Nursing) has the approval of the Dental Council of Ireland.
• All offers will be subject to Garda Vetting. Due to the risk of exposure to infectious agents in the clinical environment all applicants will be required to undertake a Hepatitis B vaccination.
Kellie O’Shaughnessy,
Program coordinator
Tel: (090) 646818
Email: koshaughnessy@tus.ie