The practice of oral health deals with the control and prevention of oral disease through treatment and education of clients. The 3-year full-time Bachelor of Oral Health Program at the School of Dentistry, University of Adelaide is the only professional Oral Health program in South Australia. The University of Adelaide’s School of Dentistry mission is to have an internationally recognised impact on oral health education, research and service. It strives to enable students to be competent and caring practitioners who will meet changing community needs. Bachelor of Oral Health graduates from The University of Adelaide will have the knowledge, skills and attributes to enable them to practice at the highest level.  Our graduates will strive through their advocacy and clinical practice to empower individuals and communities to maintain optimum oral health throughout their lives.

The Bachelor of Oral Health (BOH) focuses on the development of competence in clinical examination and diagnosis of dental disease; the formulation of individual treatment plans for clients; control and prevention of dental diseases by clinical treatment and preventative procedures; and education of clients and the community towards patterns of behaviour conducive to good oral health. There will be substantial opportunities to learn and practice in a variety of hospital and community settings, both in public and private, in metropolitan rural and interstate locations.

Graduates will have the necessary education to work as an oral health therapist, dental therapist and dental hygienist under the supervision of a dentist in a team environment. Dental therapists provide dentistry including fillings for children and adolescents. Dental hygienists treat patients of all ages with an emphasis on preventative dental treatments of the teeth and gums. Graduates from the BOH form an integral part of the dental team working with dentists, dental specialists, dental technicians and dental assistants. Bachelor of Oral Health graduates provide preventative and general dental care for the population in both public and private sectors.

There are four streams in each year which continue through the program. The dental and health science stream includes topics on oral and dental anatomy, radiographic anatomy, the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of common dental diseases, developmental psychology, behavioral science, dental public health, health promotion, nutrition and sociology and health. Human biology contains body chemistry, cell structure and function, anatomy and oral anatomy. Topics on the principles of clinical examinations, x-rays, orthodontics, periodontal disease and restorative dentistry introduced in Clinical Practice and Professional Studies include basic chemistry, biostatistics, academic and health communication, and evidence based dentistry. The dynamic curriculum is delivered within a problem based learning approach. The emphasis of contextual learning of relevant scientific information throughout the program occurs concurrently with the development of clinical skills. The program is delivered in a team context with Bachelor of Dental Surgery students.

• Bachelor of Dentistry
• Honours Degree of Bachelor of Science in Dentistry

It is envisaged that employment prospects are excellent as there is expected to be a shortage of oral health therapists in Australia over the next decade. Graduates are automatically eligible to register as an oral health therapist, dental therapist and dental hygienist with the Dental Board of Australia, anywhere in Australia.

On successful completion of the Bachelor of Oral Health, the graduates will have received education and training in the theory and practice of dental therapy and dental hygiene, to enable them to work in both private and government oral health services, in accordance with the legal and legislative limitations governing each Australian state.

Each graduate will have developed the skills which will enable them to:

• work as an integral part of the dental team providing holistic oral health care on an individual and community level
• recognise dental diseases and formulate strategies that address the treatment and preventive needs of each individual
• effectively manage patient care by integrating and applying basic, clinical, behavioural, and social sciences concepts to inform practice
• actively promote the importance of general and oral health to individuals in dental and community health settings
• work effectively with other allied health professionals to foster optimum oral health practices within the community
• use highly effective interpersonal skills to enable empathetic and effective communication with various groups, e.g. professional, policy-making bodies, community and patients.
• communicate effectively and provide education to people within a multicultural society that will encourage patterns of behaviour which favour effective oral health
• maintain the highest level of ethics and professionalism in the practice of dental hygiene and dental therapy
• display the highest levels of integrity in all aspects of professional life
• utilise the principles of self evaluation that will contribute to the continuous development of skills within their field of practice
• embrace the principles of lifelong learning that will enhance the practice of dental therapy and dental hygiene
  
• engage in self-directed lifelong learning by using reflection and critical self-assessment and be committed to ongoing professional development.

Bachelor of Oral Health Program Rules

• Program Information Leaflet
• School of Dentistry
• Undergraduate Scholarships
• Student Centre enquiry form