The program will provide dental and oral health therapists with an expanded career pathway by providing additional skills, knowledge and understanding required to support the changing practice environment in order to meet the dental needs of the Australian population in the future. Graduates will be well equipped to work in both public and private dental clinics.

Placements are compulsory for successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Oral Health Science. During the degree, students will work in a clinic area as members of a dental team. There will be 4 weeks where there is 1 session of clinical observation and reflection and  8 weeks of clinical placements for two days per week in addition to completing on-line learning and assessments. Integration of clinical experiences and academic learning is fostered through the input and interaction with academic staff and clinical mentors. All costs associated with clinical placement including but not limited to uniform, travel and clearances, are the responsibility of the student.

In order to be accepted into the degree, applicants must have identified a clinic mentor who has agreed to provide mentorship during the clinical placement, and have organised approval from a clinic location to undertake their observation and clinical placement. The clinic mentor will be required to attend a workshop session to assist them in the clinical mentor role.

The program has been accredited by the Australian Dental Council and approved by the Dental Board of Australia. All students in the Graduate Certificate in Oral Health Science will be registered with the Dental Board of Australia, which has the responsibility of ensuring that all persons permitted to practise in the area of dentistry are fit and proper persons who maintain appropriate professional standards.

The program comprises two 6-unit courses. The scientific components of this program (Dental & Health Science IVOH) will underpin and integrate with the clinical components of the program (Clinical Practice IVOH). The instructional approach is a blended learning approach and will consist of a variety of case-based integrated learning activities complemented by other learning activities including class meetings, tutorial, on-line learning modules, workshops, small group discovery, clinical and simulated clinic sessions. The academic program aims to provide an overview and development of comprehensive oral health examination, treatment planning, prevention and restorative care for adults.

Dental & Health Science (Adult Therapy) IV OH (6 units)
This course will involve an interdisciplinary approach to management of the ageing dentition. In addition to a cariology and root caries update, students will learn to identify and understand the nature of the forms of non-carious loss of tooth structure including erosion, attrition and abrasion. The principles of examination, diagnosis and treatment planning for periodontal disease are also covered. The course will focus on how to clinically assess patients, identify their risk factors and plan short and long-term management.

Clinical Practice (Adult Therapy) IV OH (6 units)
The topics in this course cover both the theory and practice of restorative dentistry.  They explore new and existing techniques, case selection and treatment planning. Dental materials important to this discipline are also covered. Topics covered include aesthetic dentistry, adhesive materials, bonding systems, mechanisms of adhesion of materials to teeth, simple direct restorations, and reasons for success and failure of adhesive and metallic restorations. A variety of current operative/restorative techniques will be explored.

Clinical Placement

The time commitment required in this graduate certificate approaches 40 hours per week, including contact and non-contact preparation time.

During the program, students will work in a clinic area as members of a dental team. There will be 4 weeks where there is 1 session of clinical observation and reflection and  8 weeks of clinical placements for two days per week in addition to completing on-line learning and assessments. Integration of clinical experiences and academic learning is fostered through the input and interaction with academic staff and clinical mentors.

Before attending clinical placement, students must have certification in the areas listed below:

1.  Prescribed communicable infections (PCI) screening
2.  Current immunisation history
3.  Tuberculosis (TB) screening
4.  Criminal history.

Placements are compulsory for successful completion of the Graduate Certificate. All costs associated with clinical placement including but not limited to uniform, travel and clearances, are the responsibility of the student.

In order to be accepted into the degree, applicants must have identified a clinic mentor who has agreed to provide mentorship during the clinical placement, and have organised approval from a clinic location to undertake their observation and clinical placement. The clinic mentor will be required to attend a workshop session to assist them in the clinical mentor role.

Students will be required to purchase a set of replacement teeth for practical activities.  The cost will include a Bond fee (reimbursed at completion provided no loss or damage beyond normal wear and tear) and a non-refundable hire fee.

Assessment will be based on a combination of on-line methodologies, clinical cases, clinical assessment, oral assessment and examinations.

All assessment tasks are designed to enable students to develop and demonstrate their understanding of core concepts and principles related to managing the adult dental patient within the oral health therapists’ scope of practice. Student assessment, both formative and summative, will be closely matched to the integrated learning and teaching activities and to the clearly defined outcomes and objectives. An emphasis will be placed on the development of self-assessment skills.