Doctor of Dental Surgery

Degree structure
The DDS incorporates all aspects related to the provision of advanced general dental care to patients as well as teaches students to prepare, develop, execute and write for publication a small research project. It is a fixed, full-time course of 4 years' duration.

The course commences with the introduction of specialised oral health subjects to allow students to enter the clinic as quickly as possible to maximise the experience in all aspects and phases of clinical treatment.

In the final year, Comprehensive Dental Practice (a year-long subject of 40 weeks, comprised of general dental practice placements in urban community health centres (5 weeks), the University of Melbourne Dental Clinic (23 weeks), specialist practice/hospital clinics (5 weeks) and rural community health centres, including Aboriginal oral health (7 weeks).

Course structure
The DDS incorporates all aspects related to the provision of advanced general dental care to patients as well as teaches students to prepare, develop, execute and write for publication a small research project. It is a fixed, full-tiime course of 4 years' duration.

In the first 3 years, the course is structured around 8 week teaching blocks. Teaching Blocks 1 and 2 are in the first half of the year (and include one week's vacation at Easter) and are followed by 1 week of revision and examination preparation, 2 weeks of assessment and 2 weeks of vacation/supplementary assessment. Teaching Blocks 3 and 4 are in the second half of the year with 1 week's vacation scheduled between the end of Teaching Block 3 and the commencement of Teaching Block 4. Teaching Block 4 is followed by 1 week of revision, 2 weeks of assessment then a period of vacation/supplementary assessment.

The course commences with the introduction of specialised oral health subjects to allow students to enter the clinic as quickly as possible to maximise the experience in all aspects and phases of clinical treatment.

The final year of the course is structured around 9 week teaching blocks. It is comprised of one subject in Teaching Blocks 1 and 2 and one subject in Teaching Blocks 3 and 4. Teaching Blocks 1 and 2 (which include one week's vacation at Easter) are followed by 1 week of revision and examination preparation, 1 week of assessment and 1 week of vacation/supplementary assessment. There is one week's vacation scheduled between the end of Teaching Block 3 and the commencement of Teaching Block 4. Teaching Block 4 is followed by 1 week of revision, 2 weeks of assessment then a period of vacation/supplementary assessment. In the final year subjects, students will spend 36 weeks in clinical settings including the planned University of Melbourne private dental clinic, community health centres and rural community clinics which will include provision of oral health care to the aboriginal community. In addition, students will learn how to run a private practice based on a small business model. The subjects are outlined below.

Year 1

Semester 1

• Oral Structure and Function 1
• Preclinical Dental Practice 1
• Intro to Professional Dental Practice
• Plaque Related Diseases 1

Semester 2

• Oral Structure and Function 2
• Plaque Related Diseases 2
• Clinical Dental Practice 
• Preclinical Dental Practice 2
• Dental Research Project 1

Year 2

Semester 1

• Preclinical Dental Practice 3
• Dental Medicine and Surgery 1
• Clinical Dental Practice 2

Semester 2

• Dental Medicine and Surgery 2
• Clinical Dental Practice 3
• Child & Adolescent Oral Health 1
• Preclinical Dental Practice 4

Year 3

Semester 1

• Child and Adolescent Oral Health 2
• Clinical Dental Practice 4
• Specialist Dental Practice 1
• Oral Medicine & Special Needs Dentistry
• Dental Research Project 3

Semester 2

• Child and Adolescent Oral Health 3
• Clinical Dental Practice 5
• Specialist Dental Practice 2
• Oral Surgery and Special Needs Dentistry

Year 4

• Comprehensive Dental Practice

Entry requirements

In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed either:

An undergraduate degree in any discipline, with studies to have been completed within 10 years of commencing the Doctor of Dental Surgery. For example, if you are applying for the 2019 intake then your undergraduate degree must have been completed from 2009 onwards,

or

For applicants whose most recently completed undergraduate degree was completed 10 or more years before 1 January of the year in which the applicant intends to commence the Doctor of Dental Surgery, a Graduate Diploma, Master or PhD degree or equivalent completed within 10 years before 1 January of the year in which the applicant intends to commence the Doctor of Dental Surgery;

Indicative first year fee
AUD$ 97,536

As a Doctor of Dental Surgery graduate, you will be equipped to become an oral health leader of the future. Unmatched placement opportunities, lecturers and state-of-the-art equipment at the University of Melbourne’s Carlton campus will enable you to pursue a career in an area of healthcare that is rewarding and vital.

This course will provide you with the minimal qualification and competencies required to register for practice as a registered dentist according to the Dental Practice Board.

Exciting career opportunities
Graduates of the Doctor of Dental Surgery take advantage of high employment rates at some of the leading dental schools, hospitals and practices, both locally and internationally.

Whether your ambition is focused on general practice or specialisation, this course will open many doors for exciting and evolving career opportunities. Most graduates from the degree are successful in securing employment during their final year of clinical placement.

Previous graduates have gone on to find practice openings in metropolitan and rural areas. Others have gone on to specialise after two years of general practice, including the upcoming areas of oral vaccines, implants and cosmetic dentistry. Those who have followed an academic or research path have gone on to illustrious careers, including former Head of School Eric Reynolds who received the Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation in 2017.

An internationally recognised qualification

• Graduates from the Doctor of Dental Surgery emerge as capable general practitioners and leaders of oral health teams.
• Strong international links and mutual recognition of qualifications allow for graduates of the Doctor of Dentistry a pathway to practice in Canada.