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.
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.
Scholarships are available for this course through the Rural Allied Health Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme.
Dentistry provides a rewarding and diverse career path and is a health profession concerned with caring for people of all ages. Graduates could work in any of the following:
Once you become registered as a dentist, your job prospects are excellent, with most students gaining employment within the first six months after completion of their course. Most final year dentistry students will know if they have a graduate position by December of their final year.
After registration, you may specialise within a particular area of dentistry that interests you. For example, after achieving your Bachelor of Dental Science, you may study further to become qualified in a specialist area of dentistry, such as orthodontics, paediatric dentistry, periodontics, endodontics, implantology or prosthodontics programs at a Master level, or biomedical or dental science research at a Doctorate level.
Hand skills development will occur using state-of-the-art simulation equipment in brand new, purpose-built facilities.
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 and community, rural and metropolitan) to gain optimal professional experience.
Refer to the Clinical Requirements section for information on:
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.
How many places are available each year?
There will be around 40 places available each year.
Are there any prerequisite subjects?
There are no formal prerequisites for the Bachelor of Dental Science but, as it is a science based course, it is assumed that students will have studied English Standard, chemistry, mathematics and physics at Year 12 level. Interview panels may consider that the study of chemistry reflects a student’s interest in and aptitude for science but it is understood that not all rural schools offer chemistry at Year 12 level. If you have not studied chemistry in Year 12 and are accepted into the course, it is strongly recommended that you undertake a Study Link course before commencing.
What ATAR score do I need to get in?
Your academic record (ATAR/ENTER or previous university study) only becomes relevant if you succeeded in the interview. Entry to the course is competitive and an ATAR of at least 90, or Credit level GPA is expected.
What if I have not done Year 12?
If you have not completed Year 12 in the past 10 years or have not completed at least one full year of study at University, you may not be eligible for selection into the course. In that case you should contact us to ascertain your eligibility.
Will all applicants be called for an interview?
No. Applicants will be selected for interview on the basis of their supplementary application form. It is expected that between one third and one half of all applicants will be interviewed. In most cases, interviews will be conducted in December and candidates selected for interview must attend in person (face-to-face). Interviews will be conducted on the Orange Campus.
Why is CSU's Bachelor of Dental Science a five year undergraduate course rather than a graduate entry program?
The CSU dental program is intended to emphasise the clinical aspects of the practice of dentistry and to enable graduates to be exposed to the full range of procedures and state-of-art techniques. To facilitate this, a full five year curriculum has been designed that covers all of the necessary foundation science and dental science components as well as an extensive experiential program across the five years of study.
How many contact hours are involved?
You will have to attend lectures, tutorials and practical classes for up to 30 hours per week depending on the year of study. The length of the academic year will vary from two 13 week sessions in year one, up to two 18-21 week sessions in years four and five.
How much clinical time is involved and where is it conducted?
Clinical activities will be incorporated in each year of the course, starting with a few hours related to your subject content in first year. These will build throughout the course, and culminate in extensive clinical rotations in your fourth and fifth years. You will undertake your placements primarily within the University’s new dental clinics but also within selected state health facilities and private practitioner facilities.
Will I be required to undertake clinical education in different clinics?
Yes, you may be required to spend varying amounts of time in any of the Schools five clinical settings in Orange, Wagga Wagga, Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst or Dubbo campuses. The placement will depend on the year of study that you are undertaking. The University will assist in facilitating your accommodation during extended clinical blocks in these campuses' communities wherever possible.
How important are manual skills to dental practice?
Manual dexterity is extremely important to the practice of dentistry. In addition, a degree of artistic aptitude will be useful.
Can the course be studied part-time?
No.
If I am offered a place in CSU's Bachelor of Dental Science, can I defer?
No. If you are unable to accept your offer of a place, you must apply again in subsequent years. It will not harm your application if you choose to decline an offer then reapply in subsequent years.
Can I sit the STAT and have the score considered?
This will not be necessary but may be considered if you already have STAT results from previous testing. If you are a non-recent school leaver, you will be selected on your performance in the interview and the GPA you achieved in university study.
If I am not accepted into CSU's Bachelor of Dental Science the first time, what should I do?
First, you should make sure that dentistry is the profession that you really want to pursue and seek career planning advice. If you have no Year 12 qualification or your UAI/ENTER was not high enough, you should concentrate on qualifying for admission to the Bachelor of Clinical Science or another relevant university course with a view to reapplying for dentistry in the future.
If I am not accepted into CSU's Bachelor of Dental Science the first time, can you recommend another suitable university course?
You should choose a course that you think you will enjoy and do well in. It should also be a course you will be happy to stay in, should your future applications to CSU 's Bachelor of Dental Science be unsuccessful. Whatever course you choose, you will have to complete the application/interview process each time you apply.
Can I apply to study on a full-fee paying basis?
No. All places in this course are Commonwealth supported.
How much does it cost?
You can only study CSU's Bachelor of Dental Science as a Commonwealth supported student and will be liable to pay the student contribution (HECS). There is an expectation that you will purchase your own laptop computer for use throughout the program. Assistance with purchase is available to students of the University. You are also advised to purchase your own set of dental instruments at the commencement of your course. This will allow you to become familiar with your own personal instruments and to enhance your skill-base. Financial assistance is available to students of the University. In addition you will need to buy books - most subjects have prescribed text books, and often students purchase additional books to help with their studies. Scientific texts typically cost between $100 and $150 each. Second hand books are often available. As part of the course, students are required to travel to clinics at the various campuses. Students will either need a car of their own or will travel with another student who may expect some contribution for travel expenses. The University does not contribute to these costs. Protective clothing (laboratory coat, protective glasses, scrubs and /or clinical coat) are also required from the first week or two of the course.
I am not an Australian resident. Can I apply?
No, not at this time.
| Study through | Orange |
| Study mode and normal course duration |
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| Fee information | Australian & New Zealand students This course is not available to international students |
| Commence study in |
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| Admission rank cut-offs | ATAR + criteria |
Choose your preferred method. Make note of the admission code as you will need this to complete your application. Applications for this course close 30 September. Late applications will not be accepted.
| Apply through UAC |
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CSU's Bachelor of Dental Science comprises 320 points of compulsory core subjects.
An indicative course structure and enrolment pattern are available in the CSU Handbook.
To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:
Previous studies include:
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.
Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:
All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.
Acceptable tests for English proficiency
Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:
An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University’s requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.
You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:
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.
In addition to obtaining a competitive UAI, applicants will need to download and complete a supplementary application form and attend an interview. Completed forms should be sent to the University by 30 September.
It will be mandatory for students to purchase a laptop.
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.
Senior First Aid Certificate
All students are required to have a current Senior First Aid Certificate, obtained at their own cost, from an accredited body (Workcover approved) before undertaking clinical placements.
NOTE: As many courses include a clinical practicum in the first session, students are advised to complete their Senior First Aid Certificate prior to commencement of their first year of study.
Criminal Record Clearance
The Department of Health in NSW, and most other states, currently require all health facility staff, including students on clinical placement, to undergo criminal record checks. The checks are intended to identify people who have convictions for such things as violence or sexual offences, who may put patients’/clients’ personal safety or health at risk. Traffic violations and other minor offences are not of interest.
All students must therefore have a Criminal Record Clearance prior to placement in any capacity in the NSW Health system and most other State organisations. Prospective students should be aware that an inability to obtain a Criminal Record Clearance will make it impossible to complete this course satisfactorily as it will not be possible to arrange suitable clinical placements.
In addition, all students are required to complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration indicating whether or not they are a prohibited person under the Child Protection Act 1998.
If you have any queries regarding these requirements, including the opportunities available for review of a particular case, contact the Course Coordinator.
Immunisation - Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Infectious Diseases
NSW Health is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all clients in health care settings and providing a safe and healthy working environment for all staff and other clinical personnel, including students. This commitment includes adopting an assessment, screening and vaccination policy Occupational Assessment Screening and Vaccination Against Specific Infectious Diseases (PD2007_006) that minimises the risk of acquiring infectious diseases. Compliance with this policy is mandatory for all health facility staff, including students on clinical placement.
All students must undergo vaccination against infectious diseases prior to placement within the NSW Health System, and most other Australian State Health Systems. Results of these vaccinations are kept on a personal record card (available from the School through which the student is studying). This card must be presented, upon request, by NSW Health, or other State Health staff, whilst the student is on placement.
The Policy requires that you consult your local doctor to obtain written proof of protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox and hepatitis B.
NOTE: It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the requirements of this policy have been met, and failure to comply with the requirements may jeopardise completion of your studies.
As a full course of vaccinations may take several months to complete, you are advised to consult your local medical practitioner well in advance of the commencement of your clinical experience placement. Please contact your medical practitioner to identify your local TB screening provider and ensure the screening is completed prior to your first clinical placement.
Further information is available from NSW Health.
For all inquiries about Charles Sturt University courses, please contact info.csu on:
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Telephone: 1800 334 733 (free call within Australia) |