Course Overview

About This Course

World-class degree, dual oral health qualifications. Our oral health therapy students graduate with dual qualifications in dental hygiene and dental therapy. This degree has a strong focus on disease prevention, world class simulation and an advanced restorative scope.

Learn valuable skills from professional dental practitioners that will make a real difference. Help shape a healthier future for children and adults. You will learn how to perform a range of preventive and minor restorative tasks, educate your community, and discover emerging methods for controlling and treating oral diseases. By studying this degree, you will broaden your career options and boost your employability. The Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy degree will build your scientific knowledge and clinical skills, using a population-based approach to oral health care. Fulfil the following core courses to complete the requirements of this program. Oral health therapy students will complete approximately 750 hours of supervised dental practice as part of their program. You will develop your skills in our on-campus oral health clinic and simulation laboratory. Later in your degree, you will undertake clinical placements in rural and urban regions across NSW and rest of Australia. The Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy is aimed at developing and integrating the scientific knowledge and clinical skills required by graduates to work as oral health therapists. Students will provide preventive and simple restorative treatment to individuals, mindful of the dynamic between oral health and general health, the team approach to care and community needs.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Sydney

55 Elizabeth St, Sydney, NSW 2000

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Provider's Published Fee

Commonwealth Supported Place — student contribution applies

Duration

156 weeks

Intakes

Semester 1

Study Mode

Full-time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Eligibility for admission to this program is based on applicants meeting the minimum selection rank, or satisfying the requirements for an approved admission scheme.
The University of Newcastle accepts a range of qualifications to determine eligibility for admission. These include, but are not limited to, Australian or overseas senior secondary qualifications (such as the HSC), prior tertiary studies, prior TAFE/VET studies, and completed enabling programs.
For further information on the pathways that are available to you, please refer to:
Domestic Applicants
International Applicants

Domestic students

Minimum selection rank: 95.00 (Central Coast).
UAC code: 483750 — Central Coast.
Recommended studies: HSC Chemistry and Biology or equivalent.

International students

English language proficiency (IELTS Academic or approved equivalent): overall minimum 7; no sub-test below 7.
CRICOS course code: 084069F.

Additional requirements

Mandatory NSW Health Verification Requirements must be met. More information is available here.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

As an Oral Health Therapist you will work independently within the dental team to provide preventive and restorative dental care within the scope of practice of an oral health therapist. Dual qualification in dental hygiene and dental therapy and adult scope of practice makes our graduates very attractive to employers.

• Oral Health Therapist
• Dental Hygienist
• Residential Aged Care Facility Preventive Practitioner
• Health Promotion Officer
• Public Health Practitioner

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Australian Dental Council (ADC)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

ADC

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units22 units

Electives

Complete 10 units of electives to fulfil the requirements of the program. Electives can be used to extend and complement your core studies with more courses in the same field of study, or from areas that might be of interest to you. Electives can be chosen from all courses available at the University that do not have any other conditions (such as a course requisite) applied to them.

HUBS1401

Human Bioscience

ORHL1101

Oral Health Sciences I

ORHL1102

Oral Health Therapy Clinical Skills I - Introduction to the Clinical Environment

HLSC1000

Transition to Health Sciences Education and Practice

HUBS1106

Head and Neck Anatomy

ORHL1106

Introduction to Oral Health and Therapeutics

ORHL1104

Oral Health Therapy Clinical Skills II

ORHL1105

Oral Health Therapy Clinical Skills III - Dental Hygiene

ORHL2102

Oral Health Sciences III

ORHL2103

Oral Health Therapy Clinical Skills IV - Dental Therapy

ORHL2104

Oral Health Therapy Clinical Skills V - Dental Hygiene

PUBH1080

Studies in Population Health and Health Promotion

ORHL2108

Introduction to Oral Health Promotion

ORHL2106

Oral Health and Community

ORHL2107

Oral Health Therapy Clinical Skills VI - Clinical Practice

ORHL3103

Oral Health Promotion II

ORHL3101

Oral Health Therapy Clinical Skills VII - Adult Clinical Practice

ORHL3102

Oral Health Therapy Clinical Skills VIII - Clinical Practice

INDH2490

Foundations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

PSYC2505

Foundations of Psychology and Sociology for Health Professionals

ORHL3104

Oral Health Therapy Clinical Skills IX - Clinical Practice

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy take to complete?

The Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy at the University of Newcastle has a duration of 156 weeks.

Is there a work placement component in the Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy?

Yes, the course includes a mandatory work component totalling 714 hours, which equates to approximately 21 hours per week over 34 weeks.

How much does the Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy cost for international students?

The estimated total course cost is AU$154,183, comprising a tuition fee of AU$153,007 and a non-tuition fee of AU$1,176.

Where is the Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy delivered?

The Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy is delivered at The University of Newcastle's Central Coast campus in New South Wales, a location owned and operated by the provider.

Is the Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy eligible for Post-Study Work Rights?

The course may be eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights as it is a Skills Level 1 qualification (Bachelor Degree), has a duration greater than 92 weeks, and falls under Dental Studies (Field of Education 0607), which aligns with the Skills Level 1 priority list. Eligibility is reviewed yearly and requires at least one active enrolment at the time of review.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Typical Salary (AUD)

Entry-level (0-2 years)$70,000 – $95,000/yr

Early Career (2-5 years)$100,000 – $150,000/yr

Mid-Level (5-10 years)$150,000 – $220,000/yr

Career Paths

General Dentist
Orthodontist
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Periodontist
Endodontist

Key Skills

Clinical examination and oral health assessment
Diagnosis and treatment planning for dental conditions
Restorative dentistry techniques (fillings, crowns, bridges)
Periodontal therapy and management of gum disease
Tooth extraction and minor oral surgical procedures

Full course overview

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