Bachelor of Oral Health

The curriculum of the Bachelor of Oral Health has an overall educational approach centred on case-based learning, small group learning and self-directed learning.
The emphasis on learning relevant scientific information throughout the degree occurs concurrently with the development of clinical skills.
Case-based scenarios aim to provide a realistic context for student learning and have been designed to integrate with material presented in the four focus areas in a coordinated approach.
Students are introduced to dental scenarios from day one and have hands-on experience of many aspects of clinical dentistry during the first semester of first year.
This learning approach develops problem solving strategies, a disciplinary knowledge base and professional skills.
Students play an active role as a problem solver confronted with an issue/patient scenario, which mirrors a real-world situation.
In many examples, the students study real-life cases.
There are four focus areas in the Bachelor of Oral Health that continue throughout the three year degree: Dental and Health Science Human Biology Clinical Practice Professional Studies An Oral Health research project is undertaken by students in third year and provides the opportunity to focus on a major area of interest that will enhance a student’s role as an oral health professional.
Academic Program Rules The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.
Bachelor of Oral Health Example Study Plan Below is an indicative study plan for the Bachelor of Oral Health.
Indicative study plan Year 1            S1 Dental & Health Science IOH Part 1 Clinical Practice IOH Part 1 Human Biology IOH Part 1 Professional Studies IOH Part 1 S2 Dental & Health Science IOH Part 2 Clinical Practice IOH Part 2 Human Biology IOH Part 2 Professional Studies IOH Part 2 Year 2S1 Dental & Health Science IIOH Part 1 Clinical Practice IIOH Part 1 Human Biology IIOH Part1 Professional Studies IIOH S2 Dental & Health Science IIOH Part 2 Clinical Practice IIOH Part 2 Human Biology IIOH Part 2 Year 3S1 Dental & Health Science IIIOH Part 1 Clinical Practice IIIOH Part 1 Oral Health Elective IIIOH Part 1 S2 Dental & Health Science IIIOH Part 2 Clinical Practice IIIOH Part 2 Oral Health Elective IIIOH Part 2 Further information Dental and Health ScienceDental and Health Science 1 aims to introduce students to the oral cavity and to the areas that support the practice of an oral health therapist.
This includes management of the oral environment, periodontology, cariology, minimal intervention and prevention.
Students are introduced to the behavioural sciences and psychology relevant to the practice of oral health therapy.
  The Dental and Health Science 2 stream will build on the knowledge developed in Dental and Health Science 1 and introduce the role of the oral health therapist in specialised dental practice.
It covers community dental health issues and develops the role of the operative and preventive oral health therapist.
Dental and Health Science 3 aims to further develop and consolidate the paedodontic clinical role and the more specialised aspects of the oral health therapist including, areas such as early childhood, special needs, geriatric dentistry, and dental public health.
Human BiologyThis stream aims to equip students with the biological grounding for the practice of oral health.
It is an introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the human body and in particular to the oro-facial regions.
This leads to the study of the Human Biology 2 stream, which prepares students to understand the medical aspects of clinical oral health practice including pharmacology, the use of local anaesthetics and the management of dental and medical emergencies in dental practice.
Clinical PracticeClinical Practice provides students with the opportunity to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application in a clinical setting.
This stream will build on students’ skills as clinicians in oral health therapy practice.
Each successive year assists in the consolidation of skills in preventive (minimal intervention), periodontal and restorative clinical practice.
Professional StudiesThis stream will assist students in developing a broad range of generic skills to support their role as oral health care workers.
Communication skills will be developed to assist students in their role as oral health educators.
Team building communication introduces the concept of teamwork, which underpins the professional role of member of the dental team.
It will enable students to communicate effectively and facilitate the establishment of professional working relationships with patients and other members of the dental team.
Students are also introduced to evidence-based dentistry to enable them to apply evidence-based decision making to the clinical issues they may be faced with.
Oral Health ElectiveThis stream is third year only and provides the opportunity to focus on a major area of interest that will enhance a student’s role as an oral health professional.
Study will be in the form of a research-based project that will allow exploration of a focus area in greater depth.
Assessment Assessment will be based on a combination of written assessments, exams, clinical, laboratory and performance assessments by tutor and self-reflection.
Tests of understanding and other assignments are also assessable.