Students from the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programme at the RCSI School of Dentistry begin treating their first patients today at the Sandyford Dental Education Centre.

The commencement of clinical practice in the School of Dentistry marks a significant milestone, advancing the School’s mission to build Ireland’s newest model of community-based dental education.

The School of Dentistry welcomed its inaugural cohort of BDS students in September 2025 and has been preparing them for clinical practice through structured teaching and extensive training within the Simulated Dental Learning Environment (SDLE).

This world-class clinical skills laboratory is designed to replicate real clinical settings. From the first week of the programme eight months ago, the students have been developing core clinical skills and capabilities in preparation for their transition to supervised patient care within a community environment.

The commencement of clinical activity at Sandyford represents a significant step forward for this innovative dentistry programme and it reflects the combined efforts of academic, clinical, estates, governance and professional services teams across RCSI.

There has been extensive work to install and commission equipment, implement an infection prevention control system and establish a clinical governance framework. Against this background, staff and students have prepared for the safe and effective delivery of dental care close to our patient base.

The RCSI BDS programme is designed to support experiential learning in a modern clinical environment while strengthening engagement with patients and communities.

Speaking about the milestone, Professor Albert Leung, Foundation Head of the RCSI School of Dentistry, said: "This is a very proud moment for everyone involved within the RCSI School of Dentistry. From the first week of the programme, our students have had the opportunity to develop and hone their clinical skills in the Simulated Dental Learning Environment, under the close supervision of our dedicated clinical and academic staff. This innovative approach has prepared them for early patient contact under strict supervision, just eight months into the programme. This bodes well for their clinical training and for the future of the entire BDS programme and beyond."