Background

The original institution "The Incorporated Dental Hospital of Ireland" was established in 1884 and moved into a new purpose-built dental hospital 100 years ago in 1899. The Dublin Dental Hospital Board, established in 1963 was responsible to collaborate with the three dental school in Dublin, clinical training for three separate dental schools in Dublin: Trinity College, Dublin; University College, Dublin; and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in the provision of clinical training. In the 1970s these three dental schools were amalgamated into one School of Dental Science, Trinity College, Dublin. A new clinical building was completed in 1997 and the old hospital's refurbishment was completed in 1998. This followed a long and difficult period of uncertainty during which it became difficult to recruit staff due to rumours of closure and prior to 1980 little if any original research. The decision to retain and rebuild the Dublin Dental School and Hospital was announced in 1994, thereby ending 50 years of uncertainty.

The Dublin Dental School and Hospitalis governed by the Dublin Dental Hospital Board. This is a Statutory Body appointed by, and answerable to, the Department of Health and Children. It is funded by the Department of Education and Science (50%) as well as the Department of Health and Children (25%) and the remaining 25% of the total income is self generated. The Dublin Dental Hospital Board is the employing authority for all staff including the clinical academic staff who also hold full academic appointments with the University of Dublin, Trinity College, which bears academic responsibility for the standards of education and research.