Bachelor of Oral Health

Program Overview

---

The Bachelor of Oral Health equips students with the knowledge and skills to provide general oral health care, including prevention, basic dentistry, and periodontal maintenance. Through case-based learning, clinical placements, and research projects, students gain a comprehensive understanding of dental and health science, human biology, clinical practice, and professional studies. Graduates are prepared for careers as oral health therapists, dental hygienists, and health promotion professionals, with strong job prospects in the growing oral health industry.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

---

Overview:

The Bachelor of Oral Health prepares students for the provision of general oral health care and health promotion.

---

Objectives:

• To provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work as oral health therapists, providing prevention, basic dentistry, and periodontal maintenance.
• To educate students on dental and health science, human biology, clinical practice, and professional studies.

---

Program Description:

• The curriculum emphasizes case-based learning, small group learning, and self-directed learning.
• Students receive extensive clinical experience through compulsory placements in a range of metropolitan and rural settings.
• The program focuses on four areas: dental and health science, human biology, clinical practice, and professional studies.
• Students undertake an Oral Health research project in their third year to enhance their understanding of a specific area of interest.

---

Outline:

---

Year 1:

---

Dental and Health Science:

• Part 1: Introduction to the oral cavity, management of the oral environment, periodontology, cardiology, minimal intervention, and preventive.
• Part 2: Behavioral sciences and psychology relevant to oral health therapy.

---

Clinical Practice:

• Part 1: Dental examination and diagnosis, dental materials, infection control, and basic operative procedures.
• Part 2: Oral hygiene, prevention, and periodontal therapy.

---

Human Biology:

• Part 1: Anatomy and physiology of the human body, with a focus on the oro-facial regions.
• Part 2: Medical aspects of clinical oral health practice, including pharmacology, local anesthetics, and management of dental and medical emergencies.

---

Professional Studies:

• Part 1: Communication skills, team building, and evidence-based dentistry.
• Part 2: Patient management, ethics, and jurisprudence.

---

Year 2:

---

Dental and Health Science:

• Part 1: Role of the oral health therapist in specialized dental practice.
• Part 2: Community dental health issues, operative, and preventive oral health therapy.

---

Clinical Practice:

• Part 1: Restorative clinical practice, including amalgam and composite resin restorations.
• Part 2: Periodontics, endodontics, and oral surgery.

---

Human Biology:

• Part 1: Oral pathology, oral microbiology, and oral medicine.
• Part 2: Systemic diseases and their oral manifestations.

---

Professional Studies:

• Interprofessional collaboration, health promotion, and cultural competence.

---

Year 3:

---

Dental and Health Science:

• Part 1: Paediatric dentistry, special needs dentistry, and geriatric dentistry.
• Part 2: Dental public health, research methods, and oral health promotion.

---

Clinical Practice:

• Part 1: Advanced restorative techniques, including porcelain and ceramic restorations.
• Part 2: Management of complex dental cases.

---

Oral Health Elective:

• Part 1: Research-based project to explore a focus area in greater depth.
• Part 2: Continuation of research project.

---

Assessment:

• Written assessments, including essays, reports, and case studies.
• Exams, including theory and practical components.
• Clinical assessments, including patient examinations, diagnoses, and treatment plans.
• Laboratory assessments, including dissections and practical exercises.
• Performance assessments by tutors and self-reflection.
• Tests of understanding and other assignments.

---

Teaching:

• Lectures, tutorials, workshops, and practical sessions.
• Clinical placements in various settings.
• Problem-based learning and case studies.
• Simulation-based learning using mannequins and virtual reality.
• Expert faculty with experience in oral health therapy and related fields.
• Unique approaches include the Dental Simulation Clinic, where students practice in a realistic clinical environment before seeing real patients.

---

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Dental therapist
• Oral health therapist
• Health promotion professional
• Dental hygienist
• Job Outlook:
• 16.7% industry growth predicted in Australia by 2025.
• Opportunities:
• Provide high-quality clinical care for all ages.
• Develop hygiene maintenance programs.
• Advise on public health policy.
• Design and implement educational campaigns.
• Open an oral health clinic with a team of oral health therapists and dentists.