Dental Science - Research

The School recently expanded its research, postgraduate and office facilities. It has modern clinical facilities and a wide-ranging programme of dental education at postgraduate level, as well as an innovative programme of continuing education for dental practitioners. There are specialist training programmes in Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, Paediatric Dentistry, Special Care Dentistry and Dental Public Health supported by consultant training programmes in many areas of dentistry, and research degrees at Masters and Ph.D. level. As part of the team approach, there are training programmes for dental hygienists, dental nurses and dental technicians, a Postgraduate Diploma course in Clinical Dentistry aimed at general dental practitioners, a Postgraduate Diploma in Conscious Sedation, and a Postgraduate Diploma In Clinical Dental Technology as well as hands-on courses for dentists in the public service. The School is pleased to announce a new Postgraduate Diploma in Orthodontic Therapy, with it's first intake in January 2014.



Research Programmes

There is an active research output in all divisions: Oral Biosciences; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology; Public and Child Dental Health; Restorative Dentistry and Periodontology. In recent years, focus has been increasingly on infections associated with HIV and AIDS patients, on fungal diseases, salivary disorders, oral cancer and biofilms – sources of infection in dental water lines, and dental implants.



Staff have developed collaborative research projects with the Trinity Centre for Bioengineering (T.C.B.E.) and have initiated a very strong educational development and research base in collaboration with dental schools in European countries and the USA.

Research Applications

No closing dates apply for application for higher degrees by research but there are only two registration periods (September and March). Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible prior to their chosen registration period as supervisory capacity may be limited.



In exceptional circumstances it may be possible to register retrospectively. Applicants wishing to be considered for retrospective admission should contact the Graduate Studies Office by emailing research.admissions@tcd.ie

Next Intake: March 2024 / September 2024

School Description:


The School of Dental Science comprises some 28 full-time and 60 part-time academic staff, 20 research students and 60 students following taught courses. Dental Science is based in, and is closely linked with, the Dublin Dental University Hospital (DDUH). The Hospital completed a programme of extensive refurbishment and expansion in 1998 with the addition of a state-of-the-art research laboratory in 2004.


The School recently expanded its research, postgraduate and office facilities. It has modern clinical facilities and a wide-ranging programme of dental education at postgraduate level, as well as an innovative programme of continuing education for dental practitioners. There are specialist training programmes in Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, Paediatric Dentistry and Special Care Dentistry, supported by consultant training programmes in many areas of dentistry, and research degrees at Masters and Ph.D. level. As part of the team approach, there are training programmes for dental hygienists, dental nurses and dental technicians, a Postgraduate Diploma course in Clinical Dentistry aimed at general dental practitioners, a Postgraduate Diploma in Conscious Sedation, a Postgraduate Diploma In Clinical Dental Technology and a Postgraduate Diploma In Special Care Dentistry as well as hands-on courses for dentists in the public service. The School is pleased to announce a new Postgraduate Diploma in Orthodontic Therapy, with it's first intake in January 2014.


Research Programmes


There is an active research output in all divisions: Oral Biosciences; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology; Public and Child Dental Health; Restorative Dentistry and Periodontology. In recent years, focus has been increasingly on infections associated with HIV and AIDS patients, on fungal diseases, salivary disorders, oral cancer and biofilms – sources of infection in dental water lines, and dental implants.


Staff have developed collaborative research projects with the Trinity Centre for Bioengineering (T.C.B.E.) and have initiated a very strong educational development and research base in collaboration with dental schools in European countries and the USA.