RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences welcomed a delegation of senior healthcare leaders and chief dental officers from across Europe to its state-of-the-art Dental Education Centre in Sandyford, Dublin, as part of a two-day meeting hosted by the Department of Health under Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The visit provided an opportunity to showcase RCSI’s innovative approach to dental education and community-based patient care, while highlighting the importance of European collaboration in strengthening oral healthcare systems and developing the next generation of dental professionals.

During the visit, the delegation toured the RCSI School of Dentistry’s community dental clinic and simulation learning facilities, where they met with students and staff to learn about Ireland’s first community-centred dentistry programme. The delegation saw firsthand how RCSI’s purpose-built facilities support the development of students’ clinical skills and provide opportunities to gain practical experience in delivering oral healthcare to patients.

The programme represents a new approach to dental education in Ireland, integrating academic learning, contemporary simulation-based training and close-support clinical experience in a community setting. This model aims to prepare future dentists to respond to evolving population health needs while placing high-quality patient-centred care at the heart of their education and clinical training.

Professor Albert Leung, Foundation Head of the RCSI School of Dentistry, said: “We were delighted to welcome colleagues from across Europe to RCSI and showcase our community-centred dentistry programme in action. The visit provided an opportunity to highlight our state-of-the-art simulated dental learning environment and student-led community clinics, and to recognise the exceptional staff and students who are central to the programme’s success.

“International collaboration is vital to advancing dental education and strengthening oral healthcare delivery to patients. By sharing knowledge, expertise and innovative approaches, we can work together to develop the dental workforce of the future and ensure that compassionate, patient-centred care remains at the heart of dental education and practice.”

Dr Dympna Kavanagh, Chief Dental Officer at the Department of Health, said: “Strengthening oral health services and improving access to high-quality dental care are shared priorities across Europe. Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union provides an important opportunity to bring healthcare leaders together, exchange knowledge and explore innovative approaches to addressing these challenges.

“One of the strengths of the RCSI approach is that students gain clinical experience in communities where oral health needs are often greatest and access to services can be more challenging. This helps future dentists develop an understanding of the factors that contribute to oral health inequalities and equips them to provide high-quality, person-centred care across a range of settings.

“The visit to RCSI as part of the EU Presidency meeting highlights the important role that education and workforce development play in building sustainable, equitable oral healthcare systems, in Ireland and across Europe.”

Through its School of Dentistry, RCSI is contributing to the advancement of dental education and the development of a highly capable dental workforce, supporting improved access for all to oral healthcare, and better oral health outcomes in Ireland and beyond.