Program Overview
The Doctor of Dental Medicine program at the University of Western Australia is a four-year postgraduate degree that equips graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary for full registration as a dentist. Through a combination of theoretical and clinical training, students gain a comprehensive education in dental and medical sciences, clinical dental sciences, and patient care. Graduates are eligible to pursue careers in private or public practice or specialized areas of dentistry.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program at the University of Western Australia (UWA) is a four-year, full-time postgraduate degree designed to train future dentists for full registration with the Dental Board of Australia. The program is taught by dedicated staff in state-of-the-art facilities and provides students with a comprehensive education in dental and medical sciences, clinical dental sciences, and patient care.
Objectives:
The program aims to equip graduates with the knowledge, skills, and professional attributes necessary to:
- Provide comprehensive and ethical dental care to patients of all ages.
- Apply evidence-based practices in their clinical decision-making.
- Communicate effectively with patients and colleagues.
- Demonstrate leadership and teamwork skills.
- Engage in lifelong learning and professional development.
Outline:
The DMD program is structured into 20 units across four years, with modularized streams covering:
- Comprehensive Clinical Care: This stream focuses on the practical application of dental knowledge and skills in a clinical setting.
- Developmental & Behavioural Sciences: This stream explores the biological, psychological, and social factors that influence oral health.
- DMD Clinical Practice Modules: These modules cover clinical dental sciences, including patient care, preventive and conservative dentistry, restorative dentistry, and child and adolescent dental health.
Assessment:
The assessment methods used in the DMD program may include:
- Clinical assessments: These evaluate students' practical skills and clinical judgment.
- Case presentations: These allow students to demonstrate their ability to diagnose and treat patients.
- Research projects: These provide students with the opportunity to develop their research skills and contribute to the field of dentistry.
Teaching:
- Teaching Methods: The DMD program employs a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, and clinical placements.
- Faculty: The program is taught by highly experienced and skilled faculty members who are experts in their respective fields.
- Unique Approaches: The program incorporates innovative teaching approaches, such as dental simulation and virtual reality, to enhance students' learning experience.
Careers:
Upon graduation, DMD graduates are eligible to register with the Dental Board of Australia as a dentist and enter the profession immediately. They may pursue careers in:
- Private practice: This involves providing dental care to patients in a private setting.
- Public practice: This involves providing dental care to patients in a public setting, such as a hospital or community health center.
- Specialized areas: Graduates may choose to specialize in a particular area of dentistry, such as orthodontics, periodontics, or endodontics.
Other:
- Clinical Placements: Students will have the opportunity to gain real-world experience at the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia (OHCWA), as well as in clinical placements in the Dental Health Services in Metropolitan and Rural areas and community settings.
- State-of-the-art Facilities: The UWA Dental School is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including a digital radiology suite, a centralized production lab with CAD/CAM facilities, and a Virtual Learning Centre (VLC) with digital radiology and virtual microscopy facilities.
- Cohort Experience: The DMD program fosters a strong sense of community among students, with opportunities for collaboration and support.
- Digital Technologies: Students have access to cutting-edge digital technologies, such as 3D scanning and computer-aided design and manufacture of restorations.
