La Trobe University and the University of Melbourne both offer Oral Health degree courses.
La Trobe University
Bachelor of Oral Health Science is taught for 6 semesters. Students will be trained in both dental therapy and hygiene and will undertake general science units, in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pathology and pharmacology, as well as public health units and specific oral health units.
Further information about the course can be obtained from:
Bachelor of Oral Health Science 2007 Brochure
The University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Dental Studies: 1 year
Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy: 3 years - provides training for vocations in dental hygiene or dental therapy; develops health professional team skills.
University of Melbourne, School of Dental Science - Parkville:
RMIT
Dental Assisting - Certificate III: 1 year ( nominal 390 hours). Underpins knowledge and practical skills required to safely and effectively perform the roles and responsibilities of a dental assistant in general dental practice.
Dental Assisting (Dental Radiography) - Certificate IV: teaches the principles of radiation safety to be applied during the exposure of a prescribed dental radiographic image. Click here for details.
Employment Opportunities
To practice as a dental hygienist in Victoria you must be registered with the Dental Board of Victoria.Dental hygienists are not permitted to set up in private practice, but must work under the supervision and direction of a dentist. They work in private practices, community health centres, dental hospitals and regional clinics. Qualified dental hygienists should not experience difficulty in finding employment.
There is currently a shortage of hygienists for the perceived needs of the work force, due mainly to the shortage of training facilities. There are limited training places available for this course in Australia and competition is keen. The size of the Victorian dental hygienist work force should remain stable.
Dental hygienists and dental therapists must work under a Code of Practice which is administered by the Dental Practice Board of Victoria. Click here for the code.
Contacts
Department of Oral Health (Bendigo), La Trobe University, Edwards Road, Flora Hill, Bendigo 3550
Phone 03 5444-7417,fax 03 5444-7977, Email oralhealth@latrobe.edu.au
School of Life and Physical Sciences, RMIT, Building 51, Level 6, Room 13, 80-92 Victoria Street, Carlton South
Phone (03) 9925 4932, fax (03) 9925 4144. Email: hcs@rmit.edu.au
School of Dental Science, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, 711 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne 3000. Ph: (03) 9341 0275.
The Dental Practice Board of Victoria, Level 13, 114 Albert Road, South Melbourne 3205.
Ph: (03) 9694 9900 Fax: (03) 9699 4711 E-mail: office@dentprac.vic.gov.au
Dental Hygienists Association, Victorian Branch, PO Box 96, Kew 3101. Ph: 015 336 998.
Details courtesy of the JOB GUIDE, Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs. The JOB GUIDE can be viewed at http://jobguide.detya.gov.au/