Cork University Dental School Refurbishment at CUH Campus

Project Description

Cork University Dental School and Hospital (CUDSH) has been providing dental education since 1913 and has been located on the Cork University Hospital (CUH) campus since 1981. This project represents a circa €15.5 million investment in University College Cork (UCC) dental facilities, including the modernisation of the existing Dental School building, which serves more than 23,000 patients annually.

The overall project will be delivered in several phases and includes the provision of new dental chairs, the refurbishment of two paediatric clinics, new pre-clinical simulation laboratories, a new orthodontic laboratory, upgraded dental equipment, enhanced student social spaces, upgrades to mechanical and electrical systems, and the refurbishment and replacement of the existing flat roof membrane.

The new pre-clinical simulation laboratory is a critical component of the dental curriculum. Its delivery will enhance the student learning experience and provide the capacity required to increase student intake at the Dental School.

Phase 2a - Preclinic Skills - artist impression

Phase 1 comprised the refurbishment of the Paediatric Clinic, including the installation of new dental chairs and the provision of mechanical ventilation to two large existing clinical dental spaces and a large teaching lecture theatre.

Phase 2 will be delivered through several separate construction packages to minimise disruption to ongoing clinical teaching and practice. The first construction contract will deliver the initial phase of the pre-clinical simulation laboratory, comprising 16 DSE Expert heads with integrated dental technology workstations and full CAD-CAM capabilities for newer digital dental workflow teaching.

Upon completion, the existing Operative Techniques Laboratory will decant into this new facility, enabling the delivery of the remaining phases of the pre-clinical simulation laboratory. Once fully completed, the facility will provide approximately 256 m² of flexible teaching space, capable of being subdivided into three separate areas. It will accommodate 63 student DSE Expert heads and 1 teacher DSE Expert phantom heads as well as 16 dental technician workstations.

Subsequent construction packages will include roof replacement works and the replacement of the existing passenger lift.

Project Team

Tim Cronin, Interim Director of Buildings & Estates, UCC

Finbarr Wall, Deputy Capital Projects Officer, Capital Projects, UCC

Design Team

Phase 1 & 2

Current Project Status

Phase 1 - Paediatric Clinics completed

Phase 2a - Pre-Clinical Simulation Skills Laboratory Phase 1 - Due on Site

Phase 2b - Pre-Clinical Simulation Skills Laboratory phase 2 & roof replacement - Detailed Design Stage