The entry requirements to undertake a dental course will vary based on the course you want. Academic requirements will differ between educational institutions and the level of study you undertake. For the most accurate information, you should view the course information on the institution’s website.
Typically, you’ll need to have an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (Year 12) or the overseas equivalent to complete an undergraduate degree.
For postgraduate courses, satisfactory completion of an undergraduate degree is required. However, some institutions may take relevant work experience or research ability into consideration as well.
For Vocational Education and Training (VET) Courses, most students will need to have reached a level of study equivalent to the Australian Year 10. Some courses may require extra prerequisite subjects or work experience.
When undertaking a dental course, there are several skills that will help you succeed. While some things can be learned, these are some intrinsic skills you should possess, or be willing to work on:
There are a range of different dental courses, so if you enjoy looking after the health of people’s gums, mouths and teeth, you’ll likely find a course that’s right for you. The level of difficulty of a dental job will depend on the career you take, with the role of a dental assistant vastly different to the day-to-day role of a dentist or oral surgeon. Overall, to succeed in the dental field you need excellent interpersonal skills to work with a diverse range of clients, good hand-eye coordination, organisation, positivity and be sympathetic and caring.
There is an extensive range of dental courses in Australia, from a Certificate to Diploma to Postgraduate degrees. Some of the most popular dentistry courses include:
There are several career pathways following a dentistry course. Here are some potential jobs:
Charles Sturt University, Griffith University, James Cook University, University of Adelaide, University of Melbourne, University of Queensland, University of Sydney and the University of Western Australia are some of the only universities where you can study to become a dentist. For all other dentistry courses. Institutions like TAFE, as well as online education platforms like Open Colleges also offer a range of certificates and diplomas.
The average dental assistant salary in Australia is $60,857 per year. Meanwhile, the average dentist salary in Australia is $144,411 per year. At the top end of the scale, an oral surgeon can earn an average salary of $250,000+ per year.
The future of dentistry and dental careers in Australia is looking positive with continued growth in the sector. There are many reasons for this, such as an ageing population, increasing dental needs and a shortage of qualified dentists and dental assistants.
Government funding assists students by subsidising their tuition fees, with funding varying between states and territories. In NSW, for example, Smart and Skilled is a reform of the NSW Vocational Education and Training (VET) system. It helps people in NSW get the skills they need to find a job and advance their careers. Under Smart and Skilled, the NSW Government contributes to the cost of each course with the student paying the balance. Dental assisting does not fall into the government subsidised courses.