Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this course, students should;

• Have in-depth knowledge and skills in primary, secondary and tertiary oral health care (including oral examination, diagnosis and treatment planning, and clinical therapeutic skills) in order to practise those aspects of dental therapy permitted by the legislation governing dentistry in Australia, for people of all ages
• Be able to recognise the limits of their scope of practice and be able to consult with and refer to other practitioners in their referral network as appropriate
• Be able to provide oral health care that protects and respects people’s dignity, autonomy, cultural and social values
• Be able to critically examine, synthesise and evaluate knowledge of their practice and apply it to a broader patient group

This course will give you:

The qualifications to practise on patients of all ages

Dental therapists and oral health therapists will be able to provide dental therapy treatments to patients of all ages

A range of specialised skills

Training in the use of dental materials and knowledge of prosthodontics, oral medicine and pharmacology (as they relate to dental therapy)

A range of other skills

Become equipped with using local anaesthesia, dental emergency management and cardiology, and the ability to conduct adult oral health examinations

Treatment planning skills for adults

Learn how to manage older adults, particularly in the preventive management of root caries

A framework for oral medicine

Learn how to provide dental therapy services to medically compromised patients, those with disabilities and those with oral pathology

Further study

Dental Therapy and Bachelor of Oral Health graduates currently have the option of Honours and Research Higher Degrees as a pathway within the Melbourne Dental School and a range of alternatives such as the Master of Public Health and Master of Clinical Education offered by the Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University at Melbourne and other Universities.

This course is the first postgraduate clinical offering available to oral health practitioners and over time, it is projected to articulate into other postgraduate clinical oral health programs.