Bachelor of Oral Health (BOralH)

Professional Practice

The Bachelor of Oral Health (BOralH) program is a three year program leading to a pass degree in Oral Health Therapy. Graduates of the program are eligible to register and practice as both dental therapists and dental hygienists throughout Australia and New Zealand, and have expertise in the areas of dental hygiene, dental therapy, oral health prevention and promotion, as well as public health and health promotion.

The oral health program places great emphasis on prevention and promotion and this distinguishes it from the dental science program. Graduates work within the dental team and complement the efforts of dentists and dental specialists in providing quality oral health care to the individual as well as the community. Demand for graduates from the program is strong in both the private and public sectors, and is expected to increase in the next 10 years.

In addition, opportunities exist for graduates to work within the tertiary education sector as clinical supervisors, facilitators, associate lecturers and lecturers in Oral Health and in research. Graduates are also sought after by the dental industry and may be employed as educational consultants as well as in management roles.

The Program

The Oral Health program is designed to train graduates who will be independent life-long self-directed reflective learners, competent patient-focused clinicians with the highest ethical standards who are team-orientated and health professionals who have strong critical thinking, clinical reasoning and problem solving abilities.

The program must be studied full time over six semesters. A total of 48 units are studied over the three years. In each year of the program, studies include integrative clinical practice and professional development as well as studies in public health and health promotion.

Entry Requirements

Please refer to the Courses and Programs website for detailed program information and admission requirements.

Why UQ?

The Oral Health program at UQ was established in 1998 as the very first of its kind in Australia and is considered the benchmark. The program is accredited by the Australian Dental Council and is highly regarded within the profession.

UQ takes pride in training oral health professionals. Academic staff who teach into the Oral Health program are amongst the best qualified. Experts and industry leaders from various disciples (both dental and non-dental) contribute to the program by providing lectures and facilitating seminars. Experienced and committed clinical staff (including specialists, dentists, hygienists, dental therapists), also contribute to the students' learning experiences at UQ. Emphasis is placed on interprofessional education and interdisciplinary as well as multidisciplinary exchanges and experiences.

Students at UQ are exposed to the clinical environment from the start of Year I. The quantity and the quality of clinical experiences are unsurpassed. The student : teacher ratio is the best in the country (currently 3-4 students : 1 clinical supervisor). Students in therapy practice work with a dental assistant and practice four-handed dentistry. Students are provided with a comprehensive range of clinical experiences in dental therapy and dental hygiene. Students are exposed to complex hospital patients, rural public services and private practice settings. Moreover, students are frequently exposed to research as part of their learning.

In addition, UQ will shortly offer the opportunity for Oral Health students to enrol concurrently into the Bachelor of Health Sciences or Master of Public Health. This opportunity is unique and enhances the graduate's employability and widens their career options.

Oral Health Students and Blood Borne Viruses

As healthcare workers, oral health students have a duty of care toward their patients.  This includes being aware of one's health status, particularly in relation to communicable and infectious diseases (eg HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C) and always taking appropriate precautions to prevent transmission of such diseases.

The Dental Board of Queensland policy prevents dental therapists and dental hygienists carrying blood-borne viruses from undertaking invasive procedures, the definition of which includes most aspects of clinical dentistry.  Students who are positive for such diseases will not be permitted to enrol in the BOralH program.

Graduate Employment Opportunities

Graduates are eligible for registration with the Dental Board of Queensland, and are automatically recognized by other Dental Boards for employment throughout Australia and New Zealand. Employment is readily available in the private dental practice of dentists and dental specialists and in government oral health care services. Opportunities exist for teaching positions within the undergraduate course and in research. Graduates can also find employment in health promotion with government services and with private companies/agencies.

Further Information

For further information, email  us or call (07) 336 58071 / 336 58104
 

On this site