Bachelor of Oral Health (Therapy/Hygiene)

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Oral Health (Therapy / Hygiene) is a three-year program, developed in close association with industry to prepare graduates for a career as a dental hygienist or dental therapist.

As a graduate of CSU's Bachelor of Oral Health (Therapy / Hygiene), you will contribute to combating the chronic shortage and increasing demand for oral health professionals Australia-wide, while also significantly impacting the health of our local communities.

Qualified dental therapists are clinicians that examine and treat diseases of the teeth in children and adolescents through primary to secondary school. 

Dental hygienists are clinicians that assist dentists in the treatment of patients. They provide skilled preventive services to all patient age groups. Although hygienists work in collaboration with a dentist to determine treatment therapies for each patient, they work independently to deliver these services.

What will I learn?

During years one and two, you will focus on core biomedical and oral sciences. Foundation theory will be presented in lecture style and small group seminars and case based interactions will feature throughout the curriculum.

In years two and three, the focus is on understanding the medical, dental, social and community context of dental hygiene or dental therapy clinical practice.

Your course is recognised by industry

This course is accredited by the Australian Dental Council and graduates are eligible for registration with the Dental Board of Australia and membership of the Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists' Association.

Graduates will be eligible for licensure in any Australian state or territory. There are no additional exams or requirements although some states have continuing professional development requirements.

You may also be eligible for registration in some countries overseas.

Scholarships

A range of scholarships is available to Bachelor of Oral Health (Therapy / Hygiene) students, including the:

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

Additional admission requirements

Refer to the workplace learning section for information on:

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

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

Learning facilities

CSU's Dental and Oral Health Clinics feature technologically and ergonomically advanced dental chairs and equipment and are completely paperless with digital dental x-ray machines providing immediate x-rays at patient cubical. Students will learn in these state-of-the-art clinics through practical placement throughout their course. Our facilities include:

• a 24-chair dental and oral health clinic
• 20-place simulation laboratory
• specialist teaching laboratory
• sterilisation rooms. 

Course structure

The Bachelor Oral Health (Therapy/Hygiene) consists of 192 points.

The course is of 192 points duration, consisting of:
BMS191 Human Bioscience 1 (8)
BMS192 Human Bioscience 2 (8)
BMS291 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 1 (8)
BMS292 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 2 (8)
DOH100 Clinical Practice and Theory 1 (16)
DOH110 Oral Health Sciences 1 (16)
DOH113 Community Oral Health (8)
DOH200 Clinical Practice and Theory 2 (16)
DOH203 Community Oral Health 2 (8)
DOH210 Oral Health Sciences 2 (16)
DOH222 Nutrition and Oral Health Care Delivery
DOH300 Oral Health Sciences 3 (16)
DOH310 Clinical Practice and Theory 3 (32)
DOH313 Community Oral Health 3 (8)
DOH321 Public Oral Health, Research and Community Service (8)
PSY111 Foundations of Psychology for Health & Human Services (8)

Enrolment pattern

By Full-time study

Year 1
Session 1
DOH100 Clinical Practice and Theory 1 (16) (commenced)
DOH110 Oral Health Sciences 1 (16) (commenced)
BMS191 Human Bioscience 1 (8)
PSY111 Foundations of Psychology for Health & Human Services (8)
Session 2
DOH100 Clinical Practice and Theory 1 (16) (completed)
DOH110 Oral Health Sciences 1 (16) (completed)
BMS192 Human Bioscience 2 (8)
DOH113 Community Oral Health (8)

Year 2
Session 1
DOH200 Clinical Practice and Theory 2 (16) (commenced)
DOH210 Oral Health Sciences 2 (16) (commenced)
BMS291 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 1 (8)
DOH222 Nutrition and Oral Health Care Delivery
Session 2
DOH200 Clinical Practice and Theory 2 (16) (completed)
DOH210 Oral Health Sciences 2 (16) (completed)
BMS292 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 2 (8)
DOH203 Community Oral Health 2 (8)

Year 3
Session 1
DOH300 Oral Health Sciences 3 (16) (commenced)
DOH310 Clinical Practice and Theory 3 (32) (commenced)
DOH321 Public Oral Health, Research and Community Service (8)
Session 2
DOH300 Oral Health Sciences 3 (16) (completed)
DOH310 Clinical Practice and Theory 2 (32) (completed)
DOH313 Community Oral Health 3 (8)

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.

Workplace learning

Learning through experience is considered an integral part of studying oral health at Charles Sturt University. Clinical placements make up around 60% of your course, ensuring you are confident and job ready when you graduate. You will begin your practical placements in real clinics from year one which leads to extended clinical practice in your third year.

The program offers you the opportunity to undertake clinical placements in a mixture of generalist and specialist disciplines in university, community, rural and metropolitan clinics.

Admission requirements

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. Completed forms should be sent to the University by 27 September 2013.

Applicants must also ask their school principal to complete and return the School Predicted Score Letter.

International students may apply by completing the Supplementary Application Form - International.

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 6.5, and with scores of 6 or higher in each of the individual skill areas 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