A key milestone has been reached in the development of the new RCSI Dental Education Centre at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, with the university celebrating the 'topping out' of the 4,000m² building on 15 January 2026.

This ceremony marks a construction tradition which celebrates a building reaching its full height, a symbol of good fortune for the structure and significant progress in the project.

The new facility, which is set to welcome RCSI School of Dentistry students and patients from September 2027, will house cutting-edge clinical training spaces, including 40 dental treatment stations supported by comprehensive infrastructure that encompasses X-ray imaging suites, clinical support facilities and patient amenities.

Situated beside the RCSI Education and Research Centre at Connolly Hospital, the building will prepare future generations of dentists through a pioneering community-focused educational model, which has been developed in line with Ireland’s National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte.

Building on RCSI’s partnership with the HSE, the facility will also incorporate clinical day service provision for rheumatology, endocrinology and diabetes patients. This purpose-built facility will improve service efficiency, reduce waiting times, and expand outpatient capacity, helping meet rising healthcare demands.

The Connolly facility is the second RCSI Dental Education Centre planned as part of the university's strategic expansion of dental education in Ireland. The first facility, RCSI's Sandyford Dental Education Centre, opened in July 2025. Headed by Professor Albert Leung, the RCSI School of Dentistry will graduate 75 new dentists per year and provide around 30,000 dental treatment opportunities in the community when fully operational. These two centres, along with a third which is planned, will provide a world-class learning environment for RCSI’s students as well as the capacity to deliver the much-needed primary care based clinical dentistry to the surrounding community.

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers TD, said: "Today marks an important milestone in the development of the RCSI Dental Education Centre at Connolly Hospital and represents a welcome investment in both education and healthcare infrastructure. The new facility will enhance the community-based care provided at Connolly Hospital, while supporting the training of future dental professionals in a modern, patient-focused environment.

“By expanding clinical capacity on the hospital campus, this project will help meet growing oral health needs locally and regionally, while aligning with the Government’s commitment to providing care closer to communities and strengthening our public health system through the delivery of high-quality health infrastructure.”

Professor Cathal Kelly, Vice Chancellor, RCSI, said: “We are delighted to reach this important milestone and now look forward to opening this world-class Dental Education Centre at Connolly Hospital. This facility will provide an outstanding learning environment, enabling our students to develop the clinical excellence and professional skills they will rely on throughout their careers.

“Our programme is grounded in strong evidence showing that dentists trained in community-based settings are more likely to pursue careers in primary care. This approach delivers significant benefits for patients and aligns closely with the Government’s National Oral Health Policy.”

The project is being managed by RCSI’s Estates team, in partnership with main contractor Felix O’Hare and a design team led by MDO Architects.