Dentists work to improve oral health in our communities. They’re lifelong learners who care about their patients and their work.

Dentistry is a science and an art. It’s flexible and rewarding, and it changes lives.

What will you do?

Our Bachelor of Dental Surgery supports you in becoming a highly skilled and patient-focused dentist. You will:

• build clinical experience starting in your very first year
• learn in Australia’s newest dental teaching hospital, in the state-of-the-art Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences building
• explore the full range of dental therapies—from complex restorative to preventative-based treatments
• practise using equipment in our Dental Simulation Clinic
• tackle real-life case scenarios in teams
• benefit from extensive placements across metropolitan and rural settings
• improve lives through community outreach programs.

Where could it take you?

You could work in a local or community dental clinic or provide dental care for people in the developing world. You might become a defence force dentist. Perhaps you’ll be a researcher, making new discoveries to improve oral health care.


 

Note:

This degree is only available in blended mode and on-campus attendance is required.  if you are a continuing student in the degree and are unable to attend campus, please contact your program coordinator for program advice.

The Bachelor of Dental Surgery consists of an integrated course in each year level, with clinical experiences being provided from day one.

The focus of the degree is to emphasise a holistic, preventive-based approach to oral health care, with a minimally invasive approach if restorative treatment is required. Students will be expected to apply and integrate knowledge and understanding of relevant biological and medical sciences in managing their patients and demonstrate high levels of professionalism, including an ability to effectively monitor their performance and a desire to continue to learn and grow as a member of the dental profession.

The dynamic curriculum uses a case-based learning approach to integrate learning across disciplines. The emphasis is on learning relevant scientific information throughout the degree at the same time as the development of clinical skills.

From first year, students will undertake compulsory clinical placements in a range of settings, including a city-based dental hospital and community dental clinics located in metropolitan Adelaide, rural South Australia and interstate.
 

As a University of Adelaide-qualified dentist, students will be ready for a dynamic career in the dental industry and will be sought-after by employers. Some of the choices graduates might have are:

• Private practice: once students are registered with the Dental Board of Australia they can enter private practice on their own, work as an associate with an established practitioner, or join a partnership.
• Public sector: students can work as a dentist in government, and community or school-based dental clinics across Australia.

In order to be able to register as a Dentist with the Dental Board of Australia, all applicants must be able to demonstrate English language skills at IELTS academic level 7 or the equivalent.

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Graduate Attributes

The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes.

1. Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
2. Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
3. Teamwork and communication skills
4. Professionalism and leadership readiness
5. Intercultural and ethical competency
6. Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
7. Digital capabilities
8. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Industry Placement

From first year, students undertake compulsory clinical placements in a range of metropolitan and rural settings. These compulsory placements can extend beyond the academic year and can include after-hours and weekend work.

Professional Accreditation

The Bachelor of Dental Surgery is accredited by the Australian Dental Council.

To be eligible to work in Australia as a dentist, graduates are required to register with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Dental Board of Australia on the completion of the degree. In order to register, all applicants must comply with the English language skills requirements as determined by AHPRA. For further details, visit ahpra.gov.au/Registration.aspx 

The Bachelor of Dental Surgery qualification is recognised by:

• The Dental Board of Australia. Once registered, graduates are also eligible for membership of the Australian Dental Association.
• The Dental Council of New Zealand under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement.
• The Commission of Dental Accreditation of Canada. Further examinations are necessary to work in Canada.
• Singapore Dental Council

International applicants should note that successful completion of this degree may not qualify them to practise/register in their home country. Students will have to contact the relevant health registration bodies of their home country for further information.

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Dental Practitioner;  Dentist

Successful completion of an Australian year 12 qualification with a minimum pass in an accepted English language subject

IELTS: Overall 7.0 (Reading 7, Listening 7, Speaking 7, Writing 7); TOEFL: Internet-based: Total score of 94 with a minimum of 27 in Writing, 23 in Speaking and 24 in Reading and Listening; TOEFL Paper-based: Total score of 577 with a minimum of 4.5 in the Test of Written English (TWE); Pearsons: Overall 65 (Reading 65, Listening 65, Speaking 65, Writing 65); Cambridge: Overall 185 (Reading 185, Listening 185, Speaking 185, Writing 185).