Bachelor of Oral Health

Oral health is an essential component of a healthy life.

Complex dental work contributes to this, but proper care and prevention are just as important.While dentists perform specialised treatments, oral health therapists have broad expertise in general oral health care and education.

The curriculum of the Bachelor of Oral Health has an overall educational approach centred on case-based learning, small group learning and self-directed learning. The emphasis on learning relevant scientific information throughout the degree occurs concurrently with the development of clinical skills. Case-based scenarios aim to provide a realistic context for student learning and have been designed to integrate with material presented in the four focus areas in a coordinated approach. Students are introduced to dental scenarios from day one and have hands-on experience of many aspects of clinical dentistry during the  first semester of first year. This learning approach develops problem solving strategies, a disciplinary knowledge base and professional skills. Students play an active role as a problem solver confronted with an issue/patient scenario, which mirrors a real-world situation. In many examples, the students study real-life cases.From first year, students will undertake compulsory clinical placements in a range of settings, including community dental clinics located in metropolitan Adelaide and rural South Australia. There are four focus areas in the Bachelor of Oral Health that continue throughout the three year degree: Dental and Health Science Human Biology Clinical Practice Professional Studies An Oral Health research project is undertaken by students in third year and provides the opportunity to focus on a major area of interest that will enhance a student’s role as an oral health professional.

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Example Study Plan

Below is an indicative study plan for the Bachelor of Oral Health. Indicative study plan Year 1            S1 ORALHLTH 1201AHO Dental & Health Science IOH Part 1 ORALHLTH 1202AHO Clinical Practice IOH Part 1 ORALHLTH 1203AHO Human Biology IOH Part 1 ORALHLTH 1204AHO Professional Studies IOH Part 1 S2 ORALHLTH 1201BHO Dental & Health Science IOH Part 2 ORALHLTH 1202BHO Clinical Practice IOH Part 2 ORALHLTH 1203BHO Human Biology IOH Part 2 ORALHLTH 1204BHO Professional Studies IOH Part 2 Year 2S1 ORALHLTH 2201AHO Dental & Health Science IIOH Part 1 ORALHLTH 2202AHO Clinical Practice IIOH Part 1 ORALHLTH 2203AHO Human Biology IIOH Part1 ORALHLTH 2204HO Professional Studies IIOH S2 ORALHLTH 2201BHO Dental & Health Science IIOH Part 2 ORALHLTH 2202BHO Clinical Practice IIOH Part 2 ORALHLTH 2203BHO Human Biology IIOH Part 2 Year 3S1 ORALHLTH 3201AHO Dental & Health Science IIIOH Part 1 ORALHLTH 3202AHO Clinical Practice IIIOH Part 1 ORALHLTH 3204AHO Oral Health Elective IIIOH Part 1 S2 ORALHLTH 3201BHO Dental & Health Science IIIOH Part 2 ORALHLTH 3202BHO Clinical Practice IIIOH Part 2 ORALHLTH 3204BHO Oral Health Elective IIIOH Part 2 Further information Dental and Health ScienceDental and Health Science 1 aims to introduce students to the oral cavity and to the areas that support the practice of an oral health therapist. This includes management of the oral environment, periodontology, cariology, minimal intervention and prevention. Students are introduced to the behavioural sciences and psychology relevant to the practice of oral health therapy.  The Dental and Health Science 2 stream will build on the knowledge developed in Dental and Health Science 1 and introduce the role of the oral health therapist in specialised dental practice. It covers community dental health issues and develops the role of the operative and preventive oral health therapist. Dental and Health Science 3 aims to further develop and consolidate the paedodontic clinical role and the more specialised aspects of the oral health therapist including, areas such as early childhood, special needs, geriatric dentistry, and dental public health. Human BiologyThis stream aims to equip students with the biological grounding for the practice of oral health. It is an introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the human body and in particular to the oro-facial regions. This leads to the study of the Human Biology 2 stream, which prepares students to understand the medical aspects of clinical oral health practice including pharmacology, the use of local anaesthetics and the management of dental and medical emergencies in dental practice.Clinical PracticeClinical Practice provides students with the opportunity to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application in a clinical setting. This stream will build on students’ skills as clinicians in oral health therapy practice. Each successive year assists in the consolidation of skills in preventive (minimal intervention), periodontal and restorative clinical practice.Professional StudiesThis stream will assist students in developing a broad range of generic skills to support their role as oral health care workers. Communication skills will be developed to assist students in their role as oral health educators. Team building communication introduces the concept of teamwork, which underpins the professional role of member of the dental team. It will enable students to communicate effectively and facilitate the establishment of professional working relationships with patients and other members of the dental team. Students are also introduced to evidence-based dentistry to enable them to apply evidence-based decision making to the clinical issues they may be faced with.Oral Health ElectiveThis stream is third year only and provides the opportunity to focus on a major area of interest that will enhance a student’s role as an oral health professional. Study will be in the form of a research-based project that will allow exploration of a focus area in greater depth.

Assessment

Assessment will be based on a combination of written assessments, exams, clinical, laboratory and performance assessments by tutor and self-reflection. Tests of understanding and other assignments are also assessable.

For those who are based in Adelaide, we will be offering a blended delivery mode that combines face-to-face with remote learning in as many courses as possible, taking into consideration social distancing and hygiene. All lectures will continue to be delivered online for the remainder of the year, with some exceptions.

For our students who are studying offshore for the remainder of the 2020 Academic Year, the University will continue to offer high-quality access to the learning resources remotely. This includes all lectures, tutorials and other support material. Students will be advised in advance if there are course components that cannot be provided in remote mode and, wherever possible, offered alternative courses.

Career Readiness

It is envisaged that most graduates of the degree will work as an oral health therapist, providing prevention, basic dentistry and periodontal maintenance. Graduates form a vital part of the dental team and provide preventive and general dental care for the population in both public and private sectors.Potential career paths include: > oral health therapy> dental therapy, dental hygiene> health promotion> early childhood to geriatric dentistry> health administration> Indigenous studies> special needs> dental health research> postgraduate studies.In order to be able to register as an oral health therapist with the Dental Board of Australia, all applicants must be able to demonstrate English language skills at IELTS academic level 7 or the equivalent.  Learn more

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Graduate Attributes

Adelaide Graduate Attributes

1. Deep discipline knowledge
2. Critical thinking and problem solving
3. Teamwork and communication skills
4. Career and leadership readiness
5. Intercultural and ethical competency
6. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Industry Placement

Professional Accreditation

The Bachelor of Oral Health is accredited by the Dental Board of Australia.

Graduate Registration

To be eligible to work in Australia, Bachelor of Oral Health graduates are required to register with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) on the completion of the degree. To gain professional registration through AHPRA and register as an oral health therapist with the Dental Board of Australia, all applicants must comply with the English language skills requirements as determined by AHPRA. For further details, visit ahpra.gov.au/Registration.aspxGraduates are also eligible for membership of the Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists Association and the Dental Hygienists Association of Australia.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

Dental Therapist, Oral Health Therapist, Health Promotion Professional, Dental Hygienist