Bachelor of Dental Science

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Dental Science is a five-year dentistry degree program, developed in close association with the industry to prepare graduates for a career as a dental practitioner.

Developed in close cooperation with the Australian Dental Council, the Australian Dental Association, local dentists, oral health practitioners and senior consultants, the Bachelor of Dental Science leads to registration as a dental practitioner in all Australian states and territories.

What will I learn?

During years one and two, there will be a strong focus on core biomedical and dental sciences. Foundation theoretical materials will be presented in lecture style but small group seminars and case based interactions will feature throughout the curriculum.

In years three to five, the focus is on understanding the medical, dental, social and community context of dental clinical practice.

This course includes practical experience through workplace learning. Students will need to purchase a range of learning aids and equipment for use throughout the degree. 

Learning facilities

Hand skills development will occur using state-of-the-art simulation equipment in brand new, purpose-built facilities.

Your course is recognised by industry

The process of gaining Australian Dental Council accreditation has commenced. Graduates will be eligible for licensure as a dentist in any Australian state or territory. There are no additional exams or requirements although some states have continuing professional development requirements.

Scholarships

A range of scholarships are available to Bachelor of Dental Science students, including the:

• VFFF Scholarship
• Orange Rotary Scholarship
• Orange Aboriginal Medical Service's (OAMS) Peter Andren Memorial Scholarship
• Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme
• Royal Agricultural Society

Additional admission requirements

Refer to the workplace learning section for information on:

• Immunisation
• National Criminal Record Clearance
• Senior First Aid Certificate

Workplace learning

Students will commence their clinical experience and hand skills development in year one of the program. Clinical experiences of increasing complexity are combined with further development of hand skills through year two and provide a strong foundation for extended clinical practice in years three to five of the program.

Students will undertake intense clinical practice sessions in generalist and all specialist disciplines.

There will be the opportunity to engage in clinical practice at a variety of sites (University, community, rural and metropolitan) to gain optimal professional experience.

Students will be required to purchase a range of uniform and equipment to use during their studies. Full details of these requirements are available here.

National Criminal Record Check

Students may be required to undergo a criminal record check and/or complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration under the Child Protection Act 1998 as part of professional experience requirements. These checks are intended to identify people who might, because of convictions for such things as violence or sexual offences, put students/clients' personal safety or health at risk. Traffic violations and other minor offences are not of interest.

As such, prospective students should be aware that an inability to obtain a criminal record clearance or complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration may limit practicum opportunities in some organisations and industries. Furthermore, criminal convictions involving violence or sexual offences may limit continued enrolment in a course and/or employment opportunities after completing the course.

If you have any queries regarding these matters, including the opportunities available for review of a particular case, contact the Course Director.

Admission requirements

Students apply for this course online through UAC and must submit their application by 27 September 2013. In addition to obtaining a competitive ATAR, Australian and New Zealand applicants will need to read the application instructions, then download and complete a Supplementary Application Form and may be required to attend an interview at the Orange Campus. Completed forms should be submitted online direct to CSU by 27 September 2013.

International students may apply by completing the Supplementary Application Form (International).

It will be mandatory for students to purchase a laptop and various dental instruments. For more information, see Cost of study.

The profession of dentistry requires good vision, depth perception, as well as excellent hand-eye coordination and manual (hand) skills. Potential applicants who have not worked with their hands before (such as needlework, electronics, musical instrument or previous employment) may have significant difficulty mastering the necessary skills for successful completion of the clinical program and for successful practice.

Dentistry also requires high level of proficiency in the English language.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

• the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
• the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
• a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
• a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
• an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
• completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they

1. have undertaken an academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with an average score of 7.0, and with no score lower than 6.5, within the last 12 months;  or
2. undertaken a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 577 (or computerised TOEFL score of 233), with a Test for Written English Score (where reported) of at least 5.0 or an Internet-based score of 90 with a written score of 24 within the last 12 months; or
3. undertaken other equivalent examinations, as determined by the Board of Graduate Studies;  or
4. completed a university degree where the language of assessment is in English;

The Presiding Officer of the Board of Graduate Studies may, in special circumstances, on behalf of the Board waive the above proficiency requirements after consulting the relevant Dean, Sub-Dean and nominated Supervisor.

NOTE: A Faculty may require a higher standard of proficiency than that specified above for programs deemed to be linguistically demanding.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

• voluntary or paid work experience;
• performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
• participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
• completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

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This course is available to commence study in

Session 1