Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Special Needs Dentistry)

Program Overview

This three-year full-time program trains specialists in special needs dentistry, providing comprehensive care for patients with disabilities. It includes clinical placements, research collaboration, and expert instruction in a supportive environment. Graduates are eligible for specialist registration and well-prepared for careers in public and private practice or academia.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Our course provides training for specialist dental treatment of patients with the full range of disabilities, including those who have: physical, medical, and neuro-sensory or intellectual, including sensory, cognitive, mental-psychiatric and emotional impairments.

Outline:

• Key information:
• Intake/s:
Check semester start dates
• Location:
Westmead, Sydney Westmead Health Precinct
• Study mode:
Face to face
• Credit points:
144
• Unit of study table: Special Needs Dentistry
• The program will be directed by Dr Archana Pradhan.
• This course is primarily clinical based with didactic sessions and a research component in each semester.
• Capstone experience:
• A capstone experience comprises one or more units of study designed by the faculty to provide students with an opportunity to draw together the learning that has taken place during the award, synthesise this with their prior learning and experience, and draw conclusions that will form the basis for further investigation, intellectual and/or professional growth.
• You will complete a thesis as a capstone experience.
The research project is undertaken throughout the course.
• Mandatory professional practice work component:
• Mandatory work hours:
• This course requires you to complete the following number of work hours: 38 hours per week over 42 weeks 1824 Total hours

Teaching:

• Clinical placements involving interprofessional education and practice in hospital and non-hospital settings, and research collaboration are integral parts of the program.

• You will receive training from experts in their field in a very supportive environment for clinics and research.
• The University of Sydney School of Dentistry has been educating dental practitioners for more than 100 years.
• You will learn from expert dental professionals and researchers and have access to the latest technology, facilities and teaching laboratories, so you can develop your psychomotor, cognitive and affective skills and improve your confidence to perform specialist dental procedures.

Careers:

• Our course is designed to prepare candidates for a career at the specialist level in special needs dentistry, and to provide a basis to pursue a career pathway in research and/or clinical academic positions.

• You will be well prepared for specialist work in public and private practice and as a clinical academic.

Other:

• This course is accredited by the Australian Dental Council (ADC) and approved by the Dental Board of Australia.
Handbooks for future years, including for new courses commencing in a future year will progressively be available in November each year.