Dentistry & Health Sciences
Courses
Bachelor of Oral Health (Therapy/Hygiene)
CSU’s Bachelor of Oral Health is a three-year program that prepares graduates for a career as a Dental Hygienist or Dental Therapist. The program was developed in close association with industry and the dental profession.
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.
Dental therapists are clinicians that examine and treat diseases of the teeth in children and adolescents through primary to secondary school. They do so under the general supervision of a dentist. This includes not only preventive but restorative work in deciduous and permanent teeth, some minor oral surgical procedures and initial trauma management.
Where it will take you
- Clinical practice in Dental Hygiene or Dental Therapy
- Public Dental Services
- Dental and Health Administration
- Education
- Industry or University based research
- Consumer Advocacy
Government analysts predict that Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists will be in high demand in Australia through 2015. Once you become registered your job prospects are very good. Most final year dental hygiene and dental therapy students will know if they have a graduate position by December of their final year.
Program Overview
During years 1 and 2 there will be a strong focus on core biomedical and oral sciences. Foundation theoretical materials will be presented in lecture style but small group seminars and case based interactions will feature throughout the curriculum.
Students will commence their clinical experience and hand skills development in year 1 of the program. Clinical experiences of increasing complexity are combined with further development of hand skills through years 1 and 2 and provide a strong foundation for extended clinical practice in year 3 of the program. Hand skills development will occur in state of the art simulation equipment in brand new purpose built facilities.
In years 2 and 3 the focus is on understanding the medical, dental, social and community context of dental hygiene or dental therapy clinical practice. Students will undertake intense clinical activities and there will be the opportunity for students to be involved in patient care at a variety of sites (university and community, rural and metropolitan) to gain optimal professional experience.
"The process of gaining Australian Dental Council accreditation is in train"