A DENTAL CAREER

What is a dentist? A dentist is: a registered primary healthcare professional highly educated focuses on the care of structures in and of the mouth - teeth, gums, bone, tongue, lips…

What do dentists do? By preventing and treating oral disorders, dentists help people maintain and improve: their oral health - form and function quality of life appearance

What makes a dentist? Enjoy interacting with people Good interpersonal/ communication skills Good fine motor skills Enjoy working independently and accepting responsibility Enjoy working co-operatively with others Have a high level of aptitude in science-based subjects

Are you a career dentist? Someone who can combine: Art and science Personal communication skills High ethical standards – your own, the community, the profession

Dentistry allows: The flexibility to balance a professional and personal life The opportunity to be your own boss The possibility of earning a good income

Legislative Regulations Dentists practice under legislative regulations: Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency Dental Board of Australia Health Services Commissioner VCAT Courts

School pathway to dentistry Mathematics/science subjects Competitive ATAR score and/or undergraduate degree (see universities’ entry requirements)

Opportunities Dentistry is a competitive field Opportunities are more likely to exist in rural or regional areas, particularly for new graduates Some Government funding available for dental schemes The Federal and State Branches of the ADA are working to support members experiencing difficulty in gaining employment

Dental schools - Victoria University of Melbourne – four year graduate entry degree (Doctor of Dental Surgery) following a generalist three year undergraduate degree www.dent.unimelb.edu.au La Trobe University, Bendigo – five year course (Bachelor of Health Sciences in Dentistry/ Master of Dentistry) www.latrobe.edu.au/courses/dentistry

Dental schools - interstate South Australia University of Adelaide www.dentistry.adelaide.edu.au New South Wales University of Sydney www.dentistry.usyd.edu.au/ Charles Sturt University www.csu.edu.au/faculty/science/dentistry-health/ Queensland University of Queensland www.uq.edu.au/dentistry Griffith University www.griffith.edu.au James Cook University www.jcu.edu.au Western Australia University of Western Australia www.meddent.uwa.edu.au

Cost of studies Some Commonwealth support places (CSP) available, others full fee paying Contact university for further information

What could you earn? New graduate dentists can earn $70,000+ depending on hours worked and sector (public or private) And in 5 or 10 years?

General practice: Offer full range of dental services Identifying and treating dental diseases Providing preventive oral health services to save and protect teeth

How do I progress? Most dentists start out as an assistant dentist Some later become self-employed practitioners Some leave general practice for further study to specialise or change paths

Specialist dentists: Dento-maxillofacial radiologist – interpretation of diagnostic imaging used for examining the craniofacial and dental region Endodontist – prevents, diagnoses and treats disease and injuries to the soft tissues in the hollow centre of the tooth Forensic odontologist – examination of dental evidence which may be presented in the interests of justice Oral medicine – deals with diseases of the mouth and associated structures, studies their causes and provides clinical diagnosis and assessment Oral surgeon – surgically treats injuries, abnormalities and diseases of the mouth and adjacent parts Orthodontist – prevents and treats misaligned teeth and jaws

Specialist dentists: Paediatric dentist – prevention, recognition, diagnosis and treatment of disease and abnormalities in children Periodontist – prevents and treats diseases of the tissues that support teeth Prosthodontist – restores and/ or replaces teeth and their associated parts Public health dentistry – oral health education, applied dental research and administration of dental care programs Special needs – deals with patients with intellectual disability, medical, physical or psychiatric conditions

Where can you work? Public sector Private Practice Armed forces Community Health Care Hospital based practice Private Practice Armed forces University Clinical and Academic Teaching Research International aid agencies

And then what? Association Study clubs Personal development More…

Other dental careers Dental hygienist Dental therapist Registered, provides highly skilled preventive services without cutting or removing teeth Dental therapist Registered, provides restorative and preventive dental services to children and adolescents within the public sector Dental technician Construct and repair dental appliances Dental prosthetist Provide complete and partial dentures and mouthguards to the public Dental assistant Assist dentists and other members of the oral health team to deliver high quality dental care

Change and dentistry The role of the dentist continues to change Effective preventive measures Rapid advances in biomedical and genetic research Development of new technologies and materials

Being a dentist A rewarding and challenging career

© Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch Inc. Further information Careers advisory teacher Your dentist Australian Dental Association www.ada.org.au/Careers ORAL HEALTH COMMITTEE © Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch Inc.