Bachelor of Oral Health Science

Domestic students:

Recent secondary education (Year 12)

This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.

VCE: Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL.

Selection rank adjustments

VCE: A study score of 30 in any Science equals 4 aggregate points per study. A study score of 25 in Health And Human Development, any Mathematics or Physical Education equals 4 aggregate points per study. A study score of 20 in any LOTE equals 4 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.

Higher education, VET and work/life experience applicants

Subject proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency equivalent to stated Year 12 prerequisites.

Additional selection information

• Applicants can complete and submit a Personal Statement and provide evidence of residence in a regional or rural area if applicable and if they wish other information to be considered during the selection process. This may include information such as work experience or reason for applying. Applicants may wish to provide other documentation in support of their application. Applicants with relevant work experience may be eligible for extra consideration during the selection process.

• You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice if you:

  • are not currently studying an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent)
  • have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or
  • do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program. Refer to the La Trobe University STAT page page for further information.

• Applicants may be required to attend an interview. Details will be provided by telephone or mail to applicants required to attend.

• Applicants who have undertaken studies in a language other than English must demonstrate that they have achieved the required minimum scores in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic) or equivalent. Refer to Language requirements for further information.

• A study score of 30 in Physical Education or any Science equals 4 aggregate points per study. A study score of 25 in Health And Human Development or any Mathematics equals 4 aggregate points per study. A study score of 20 in any LOTE equals 4 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.

International students:

Recent secondary education (Year 12)

Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL.

English language requirements

7.0 IELTS (Academic) with no individual band less than 7.0.

All applicants:

Inherent requirements

Behavioural and relational skills

Core requirement Students must be able to manage their own responses and behaviour to work effectively in a range of learning environments with diverse people and tasks. This includes the capacity to be receptive and respond appropriately to constructive feedback. Students should also be able to work with others in a team or group environment and make and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of individuals in order to complete tasks or for professional practice. See also Student behaviours policy for more information. Course-specific requirement

Behavioural stability is required to work individually and in teams in a program of study in oral health therapy. Students must demonstrate behavioural stability to work objectively and professionally in diverse and changing academic and clinical settings.

Students must be able to:

• Be receptive and respond appropriately to constructive feedback.
• Manage own emotions and behaviour effectively when dealing with diverse individuals in a variety of (non-) clinical setting.
• Communicate effectively with patients, staff and other clinicians in a work and study environment.
• Be able to manage personal responses, beliefs or preferences in order to develop effective patient relationships.
• Comply with the requirement for student registration with theAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
• Comply with relevant child protection and safety legislation.

Oral health therapy is a profession governed by the Dental Board of Australia. Students must be able to demonstrate their ability to meet the registration standards from the dental board (registration standards) and their ability to meet theprofessional competencies of the new qualified oral health therapist.

Student demonstrates knowledge of, and understanding of the requirements of ethical behaviour in practice, as described in the differentpolicies, codes and guidelinesfrom the Dental Board of Australia and theAustralian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency.

Cognition

Students must be able to locate, acquire, retain and apply knowledge as part of their learning and for assessment. They must have the ability to sustain their attention over a designated period, maintain their focus in a variety of learning environments and remember information long enough to complete tasks in a reasonable and safe timeframe.

• Apply acquired knowledge of policy and procedures in the clinical setting.
• Demonstrate the ability to focus on information provided by a patient in order to determine and apply appropriate and safe care in a timely fashion.

Demonstrate the ability to accurately record clinical findings and other observations in relevant clinical notes.

Sensory (visual, auditory, tactile, olfaction)

Students should possess the ability to interact with visual, auditory or tactile inputs sufficiently to manage their learning environment and to meet professional performance needs.

• Observe using multiple inputs (senses) patient symptoms and behaviours, including non-verbal communication, in order to provide effective patient care and safety.
• Use sufficient visual acuity to demonstrate the required range of skills, through the performance of relevant tasks and assessments whilst maintaining consistent, accurate and safe care to self and others.
• Observe and detect subtle change in teeth and gums.
• Perform tactile assessments and observations fundamental to safe and effective oral health and dental practice.

Strength and mobility

Gross motor skills: Students should possess the strength, range of motion, coordination and mobility sufficient to manage their learning environment and ultimately, professional performance needs. Fine motor skills: Students should possess the manual dexterity and fine motor skills sufficient to manage their learning environment and ultimately, professional performance needs.

• Gross motor skills are needed to maintain own and patient's balance while safely supporting clients with specific special needs into the dental chair.
• Safely retrieve and utilise stock and equipment in practice or during oral health promotion events.
• Safely and effectively use**equipment and tools to perform dental procedures as they progress through their course and in professional contexts. For example, administering local anaesthetics via injection.
• Demonstrate sufficient fine motor skills to perform, coordinate and prioritise. This includes being able to grasp, press, push, turn, squeeze and manipulate equipment and/or individuals to safely perform tasks.

Provide consistent clinical and non-clinical care within a set reasonable and safe time frame, that can vary, in clinical or non-clinical settings

After graduation, you could register as an oral health therapist. You could work in dental clinics, community health centres and Indigenous health collectives. You could also work in health promotion, education, research, management and policy development roles.

• Oral health therapist
  • Provide primary oral health care, including examining and diagnosing dental decay and gum diseases. Provide basic routine dental treatments to patients of all ages, including professional debridement, support behavioural changes, deciduous tooth removal, preventive services and basic restorations/fillings.