Bachelor of Dental Science

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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.

Immunisation

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 undertaking workplace learning. This commitment includes adopting an assessment, screening and vaccination policy Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Specific Infectious Diseases (PD2011_005) 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.

PLEASE NOTE that, as many courses involve clinical practicums in the first session of study, the hepatitis B immunisation should be commenced early, in order for full immunisation status to be attained prior to clinical placements and so meet NSW Health requirements.

Further information is available from NSW Health.

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.

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 any workplace learning (e.g. clinical placements, practicums or internships). The Senior First Aid Certificate must be current for the duration of the course.

If you are an Enrolled/Division 2 Nurse or Paramedic you may instead provide documentation from a current employer which indicates evidence of competency based CPR accreditation.

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.