Doctor of Dental Surgery

Course structure

The Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) at the University of Melbourne is a four-year, full-time program preparing students for professional dental practice. The curriculum integrates foundational scientific knowledge with extensive clinical experience, ensuring graduates are well-equipped to provide comprehensive oral health care in a variety of settings.

Throughout the DDS program, there is a progressive increase in clinical experience, culminating in a final year where students are predominantly engaged in clinical settings. This structure ensures that graduates are proficient and confident in delivering advanced general dental care.

All subjects in each year of study (100 credit points) must be successfully completed for progression to the next year of study.

Year 1: Students begin with subjects exploring pre-clinical dental practice, disease prevention and management, head and neck anatomy and developing a professional practice. This year establishes a foundation in oral health and preclinical skills, preparing students for clinical settings.

Year 2: Students will deepen their knowledge of dental practice and advance their preclinical skills. Students begin treating patients under supervision, applying their knowledge in real-world scenarios. In this year students will learn fundamental research skills and commence a research project.

Year 3:. Students refine their clinical and communication skills across various dental specialties, managing more complex cases and developing their patient management skills.

Year 4: The final year emphasises comprehensive clinical practice through a singular, year-long subject. This subject brings together clinical placements, didactic teaching, and assessments. Students engage in diverse clinical settings providing care to a broad patient demographic.