Dentistry
Overview
Dentists are primary health practitioners that treat teeth, gums and soft tissues of the mouth. Dentists may examine the mouth, take x-rays, clean teeth, provide preventative care, repair decayed and broken teeth with fillings, extract and replace teeth, apply anaesthesia, perform surgical operations, design, construct and fit dentures, crowns and bridges.
Dentists employed in the public sector may work in schools, universities, community health centres, mobile dental vans, hospitals and institutions such as residential care facilities. Dentists in the private sector may work for other dentists or managers, or own a practice alone or in partnership with other dentists. They can also be employed in research management, education and policy development roles. Dentists can specialise to become orthodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, periodontists, paediatric or special needs dentists.
Career Prospects
Dentists are registered to practice the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, injuries and malformations of the teeth, jaws and associated structures. The majority of practicing dentists in Australia work in the private sector predominant as general practitioners. There is an increasing demand for dentists across Australia and there are job opportunities in both metropolitan and rural Victoria are available.
Bachelor of Health Sciences in Dentistry/Master of Dentistry
The Bachelor of Health Sciences in Dentistry/Master of Dentistry will be undertaken over five years and will qualify students to register as dental practitioners. The Bachelor of Health Sciences in Dentistry is a three year pre registration degree that prepares students for entry into the Master of Dentistry. The Masters component is a two year program heavily focused on clinical education.
The first two years of the Bachelor of Health Sciences in Dentistry will focus on basic science and exposure to clinical issues with students studying science and public health units. Students will also start to have some preclinical and clinical exposure. The third year of the program develops predominately the preclinical and clinical skills allowing students to build up technical skills before the highly focused clinical exposure in the final two years (Masters of Dentistry). Students who successfully complete the Bachelor’s program will gain entry into the Masters in Dentistry which is predominated by the clinical components of the program, with students placed in clinical facilities around regional Victoria. Students who successfully complete the Masters degree will be able to register as dental practitioners in Victoria (subject to professional accreditation and dental board rules).
Entry Requirements
Selection for Year 12 - prerequisities a study score of least 35 in English or 40 English (ESL), study score of 35 in biology or chemistry. Selection based on ENTER - refer to the VTAC Guide. Access to the guide is through the 'Quicklinks' menu above.
Regional bonus is applied to this course for applicants whose home postcode is from regional Australia. Consideration is also based on the VTAC Special Entry Access Schemes.
Non Year 12 - selection based on Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT). Further information on the UMAT test can be found on their site, access to the site is through the 'Quicklinks' menu above.
Details on the course can be found on the University handbook site, access to the site is through the 'Quicklinks' menu above.