The first cohort of students on RCSI’s new Bachelor of Dental Surgery will begin their studies on Ireland’s first community-based dental programme this September.
Here, Dr Genecy Calado de Melo, Lecturer in Operative and Primary Care Dentistry, outlines the School’s work to develop an innovative community and interprofessional engagement module as part of the new programme’s curriculum. The module embodies RCSI’s dedication to cultivating healthcare professionals who combine clinical expertise with empathy, social awareness, and a deep commitment to community well-being.
Ireland, like many other countries, has a chronic shortage of dentists, a problem that is negatively impacting the oral health of people of all ages. Our curriculum places community connection at the heart of dental education. We hope to equip our students with the insight and experience to understand the wider social forces that influence oral health, while encouraging them to build their careers in the service of the communities that are in greatest need.
From the first year of study, our students will be immersed in learning opportunities beyond the classroom. The Community and Interprofessional Engagement module is designed to foster a deep understanding of the vital role that community organisations play in supporting oral health across diverse populations.
In dentistry, health outcomes are shaped not only by clinical expertise but by our understanding of the environments and communities in which people live. This module encourages students to look outward, to listen, learn, and contribute meaningfully.
Education for social impact
Through this module, the principles of community and interprofessional engagement will be scaffolded across the four-year degree programme. In the first year, students will work in small groups to interview representatives from local community organisations. These early encounters help build awareness of the social care services supporting vulnerable populations and the health challenges they face.
In their second year, students will collaborate with external organisations to design and deliver real-world projects focused on promoting healthy behaviours. These projects will range from oral hygiene education to lifestyle interventions targeting specific demographics.
The focus in the third year will be on helping students to deepen their understanding of integrated care by engaging with other health disciplines, reflecting RCSI’s commitment to fostering cross-sectoral teamwork.
The final year sees students complete a quality improvement project, synthesising their learning to enhance standards in dental practice.
Across the four years of their studies at RCSI, our students will develop an awareness of the determinants of health and inequalities in health in the community, alongside an understanding of population health improvement. They will learn how to consider the wider health economy as well as the health issues and social inequalities impacting health outcomes within the community.
They will also learn how to communicate appropriately and effectively in professional discussions and transactions with peers and colleagues.
This approach reflects a mindset that is shaping the future of dental education at RCSI. By embedding social accountability and collaborative practice into the programme, we hope to prepare our students not just to deliver care, but to advocate for it.
Real-world partnerships, real impact
We are grateful to a number of key community partners who are already contributing to the programme: HSE Dental Service (North Dublin City), Transit HUB Citywest (supporting asylum seekers and refugees) and RCSI’s outreach schools.
Future collaborations are also in development with organisations such as QUIT Smoking Services (HSE), RCSI’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) partners, and other social support agencies.
These partnerships will give our students a tangible platform to understand and address health inequalities. From designing smoking cessation campaigns to working with schools on oral health promotion, this work will allow students to connect their academic knowledge to community needs.
Learn more about the RCSI School of Dentistry and the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programme.
Dr Genecy Calado de Melo is a Lecturer in Operative and Primary Care Dentistry at the RCSI School of Dentistry.
RCSI is committed to achieving a better and more sustainable future through the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
