B-ORALHT v.2 Bachelor of Science (Oral Health Therapy)

Bachelor Degrees prepare students to develop broad and coherent knowledge and skills in a discipline for professional work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 7 qualifications.

The oral health therapist is an educator and motivator with an important role in the promotion of oral health for patients and the broader community. As a member of the dental team, the oral health therapist works to provide appropriate dental care for patients. Clinical procedures include some fillings, scaling and cleaning and the management of gum problems, and simple extractions in children, the application of fluoride and other solutions to teeth and gums, local analgesia, dental radiography, taking impressions and a range of orthodontic duties. The curriculum integrates theory and practical studies from a number of areas within health sciences including dental, biomedical and social sciences.

Professional Recognition

All practising oral health therapists must be registered with the appropriate Dental Board. Registration permits the oral health therapist to work in private practice and the School Dental Service.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are expected to enjoy good rates of employment, mainly in general and specialist private dental practices and in government school dental clinics.

Additional Course Expenses

Students are expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. Protective clinical uniform and shoes are purchased during first semester. Instruments are purchased during second and third semester. Students may also incur some expenses to ensure that they have completed all necessary immunizations.

Bachelor Degrees typically contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may contain a range of majors, streams and/or minors/specialisations for students to choose from to pursue learning in a specialised area of study. Students can take no more than 250 credit points of first year level units.

The course commences with a study of relevant health sciences, communication and research methods, together with preventive dentistry and oral health therapy techniques. These subjects, further developed in years two and three, cover a broad field relating to community dentistry and to practical and clinical aspects of oral health therapy. Practical sessions run throughout the three years. Clinical experience commences in the second year and continues throughout the course.

Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. provide appropriate patient care and dental health education by applying sound clinical principles and behaviour management techniques conducive to good oral health

2. use problem-solving, critical thinking and decision-making skills in the management of oral disease in individuals and the community

3. identify oral disease, gather and interpret data and synthesise information to develop appropriate preventive and treatment approaches as part of the overall needs of individuals

4. communicate effectively with other health professionals, patients and various target groups

5. use new and existing technologies relevant to dental practice in a responsible and effective manner

6. utilise lifelong learning skills to help foster ongoing personal and professional development

7. promote the oral health and general health of individuals and the community by working collaboratively, sharing knowledge and considering different perspectives

8. demonstrate cultural awareness and understanding in the provision of patient care

9. practice in a professional and ethical manner as part of the dental team and critically reflect on care provided.

Duration and Availability

This course is three years' full-time study. The course is conducted at the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia (OHCWA), on the Bentley Campus and in Dental Health Services' Clinic at Mt Henry.

Location and delivery Mode

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.

Course Organisation Note

Students are required to practice techniques on one another before being permitted to move into patient care. Prospective students will need to be able to work as part of a team and should enjoy communicating and establishing rapport with persons of all cultural backgrounds and ages.

YEAR 1 SEMESTER 1

YEAR 1 SEMESTER 2

YEAR 2 SEMESTER 1

YEAR 2 SEMESTER 2

YEAR 3 SEMESTER 1

YEAR 3 SEMESTER 2

Specifically, it is desirable to have: Human Biology ATAR or Biology ATAR. STAT elements considered are WE and either V or Q. Applicants should refer to the Curtin website or Curtin Handbook for more information on specific admission requirements, including Inherent Requirements for Oral Health Therapy: https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/application-requirements/oral-therapy/ Applicants for this course should refer to the Clinical Health Sciences and Police Clearance Section of the Faculty of Health Sciences website. • Curtin requires you to be screened for, and vaccinated against, a number of communicable diseases before commencing fieldwork. There is an onus on individual students to be aware of their immunity or carrier status in relation to communicable diseases. Depending on the status of any communicable disease there is the possibility that you may not be able to complete the clinical placement requirements of the course. Students who are carriers of blood-borne viruses are not permitted to perform some procedures on patients http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/cda-cdna-bloodborne.htm Serological testing must therefore be completed prior to or during the first semester of study in the course and the results communicated to the area. Successful completion of a Senior First Aid Certificate is required before students proceed to second year, second semester studies. Additional clinical hours are required during inter-semester breaks. Practical sessions are undertaken in a variety of settings including program's clinic, OHCWA, community clinics and private dental practices.

Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au/non-school-leavers/rpl.cfm

Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to a Bachelor Degree with Honours and some Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Master degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.