Practicing as a dentist

Scholarship options in Australia are usually limited for international students as they tend to be reserved for those undertaking postgraduate research degrees; however, we can advise you where to look and whether specific programs have a history of offering scholarships.

Occasionally, scholarships are granted to high achievers—those with very high marks. In previous years, we have seen $5000- to $10,000-scholarships given to OzTREKK students.

Check out OzTREKK’s Financing page to learn more about scholarships and paying for your degree.

Before sending us outlines, check to see if we’ve already got them. We can save you a lot of time and ensure we’re submitting good outlines on your behalf. Outlines must be within 2 years of the time you took the course (as listed on your transcript).

To meet the prerequisite subjects, you need to have been granted the credit (passed); the grade isn’t considered in the prerequisite assessment.

The majority of Canadians applying to full-degree programs in Australia (i.e., not study abroad courses, which usually only last a semester or two) apply through OzTREKK. They’re studying medicine, dentistry, law, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, etc.

Since they’re using OzTREKK’s services, this gives us a good idea of the starting point of a competitive application each year, allowing our admissions officers to help you determine which universities/programs are most likely to present you with a letter of offer!

You can get started on determining your chances by reviewing the admissions requirements on each program page. Then, visit our GPA Conversions and Eligibility pages for details and suggestions to help you get into the program of your dreams. Of course, OzTREKK is always here to help if you have questions.

Unlike in Canada, GPAs in Australia are simple. They are standardized, so they mean the same thing to everyone.

In Australia, a 5.0 / 7.0 would roughly translate to a 2.7 / 4.0 or approximately 70% – 72%, but keep in mind all universities assess slightly differently.

Learn more on our GPA Conversions page where we list the most common Canadian GPA scales to their corresponding Australian GPA grade.

If you have a bachelor’s degree and have completed the Canadian or American DAT, you may be eligible to apply to graduate dentistry degrees like the Doctor of Dental Medicine or the Doctor of Dental Surgery.

Just finishing high school or partially finished an undergraduate degree? Undergraduate dentistry degrees like the Bachelor of Dental Science and Bachelor of Dental Surgery may be options for you. Check out the admissions requirements.

Students are eligible to apply for undergraduate-entry degrees straight from high school, with a partially finished undergraduate degree, or with a completed undergraduate degree. These programs do not require a DAT, and are 5 years in length.

If you have a completed undergraduate degree and have written the Canadian or American DAT, you are eligible to apply to graduate-entry dentistry degrees. These programs are 4 years in length.

Both bachelor and master (doctor) dentistry degrees allow the graduate to practice dentistry.

Prerequisite courses vary by university and by program. We’ve listed university- and program-specific requirements on each program’s page under “Admissions Requirements.”

Currently, our Australian universities require original transcripts to assess your application—certified by OzTREKK, which means we have to put our stamp on paper. Literally.

Usually, students order transcripts from their high school, college and/or university and have them mailed to our office. Alternatively, you can pick up your transcripts and mail them to OzTREKK, as long as they remain in their original, sealed envelopes.

You will need to submit final transcripts (showing your degree/diploma is completed) from every institution you have attended. We only require one copy of each transcript, even if you apply to multiple universities or programs.

OzTREKK educational services
301-1 Sherbrooke St. E.
Perth, ON K7H 1A1 CANADA

Alternatively, your high school, college and/or university can email them to transcripts@oztrekk.com.

P.S. Try sending your documents via FedEx and Purolator, especially when you need your documents to arrive at our office ASAP. If you use Canada Post’s courier Xpresspost, please don’t request a signature, as this can add unexpected delays!

As soon as your transcript arrives, we’ll let you know!

Average marks for entry vary by university. Most eligible candidates have a high school diploma with an overall average of approximately 93%. Click on a university for uni-specific entry requirements.

The Australian universities OzTREKK represent are ranked highly by higher education ranking systems. Each dental program is known by the quality of its education, its state-of-the-art facilities, and by its specialties e.g., rural and remote dentistry. Deciding which program to undertake is usually a personal choice but chatting with OzTREKK’s dentistry admissions officer is usually the best place to start!

Bachelor dentistry degrees are considered undergraduate degrees and are open to students who have a high school diploma. Master (or doctor) dentistry degrees are considered graduate degrees; therefore, candidates must hold an undergraduate degree to qualify for entry.

While the Doctor of Dental Surgery / Doctor of Dental Medicine has “doctor” in its title, it is considered a master’s degree. A doctorate degree is considered a research degree (PhD).

Both bachelor and master (or doctor) dentistry degrees allow the graduate to practice dentistry.

If your GPA doesn’t meet the minimum requirement for your program of interest, OzTREKK is not able to submit the application. Depending on the program, your options will vary:

1. Complete another degree
GPA is a tricky requirement, as each university / department has their own way of assessing. If you don’t meet the minimum GPA to apply, this may mean you will need to complete another degree (whether it’s a bachelor or master will depend on the university and program).

Unfortunately, while many students undertake additional courses with the hope of boosting their GPA, any non-award courses taken outside your most recently completed degree will not be considered in your overall GPA assessment.

2. Apply to another program
If you’re interested in health care, consider completing a degree in pharmacy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic, etc. instead, as long as your GPA meets the minimum requirements.

The University of Melbourne’s DDS prerequisites are quite strict and require that you’ve completed approved courses in human anatomy, human physiology and biochemistry to be eligible to apply.

1. Check Melbourne’s prerequisites
To see if your courses meet the prerequisites, please go to the University of Melbourne’s prerequisites page. Select the drop-down menu titled “List of assessed subjects” and click “International” to download the current list of subjects. Please note this list is updated regularly.

2. Have your courses assessed
If you find that the anatomy, physiology and/or biochemistry courses that you have completed are not found on this chart, you will need to have these courses assessed by submitting a Prerequisite Subject Assessment Form, including full course outlines for each course you want assessed. You are encouraged submit this form well in advance of applying so you can plan accordingly.

When assessing for the human anatomy prerequisite, the university will be looking to see that the course(s) being assessed included a lab component with human cadaveric materials. So you’ll want to make sure that your courses included such a component, and that it is referenced in the course outlines you submit for assessment.

3. Enroll in the missing prerequisite(s)
Melbourne will allow students to take non-award courses during the application season to make up the prerequisites they are missing. This means you can submit your application early in the year with your interim transcript and proof of enrollment into the prerequisite course. Before enrolling in any prerequisite course, we advise checking with either your admissions officer or the university to make sure the course will satisfy the prerequisite. Usually, Melbourne requires students to complete the course(s) by November.

If you haven’t completed the prerequisite course by the time offers are issued, then the university will issue a conditional offer. When you have successfully completed the required anatomy/physiology/biochemistry course(s), your final transcript can be submitted, and the conditions will be lifted.

If you don’t meet the minimum requirements on your DAT, OzTREKK is unable to submit the application to the universities. As soon as the university receives an ineligible DAT, the application is deemed unsuccessful.

1. Re-sit the DAT
If the DAT sit date is coming up in Canada, you can re-sit the test and hope to receive an eligible score. If you are re-sitting the DAT, make sure that you will receive the official scores before the university application deadline. With the Canadian Dental Association, you can write the DAT twice per year. The American Dental Association allows students to write it more frequently, so we often have students take the test in the United States.

2. Apply to another dentistry program
Consider applying to a dental program that doesn’t require the DAT. For dentistry, this means you can apply to the following undergraduate programs:

• Charles Sturt University Bachelor of Dental Science
• Griffith University Bachelor of Dental Health Science & Master of Dentistry
• James Cook University Bachelor of Dental Surgery
• University of Queensland Bachelor of Dental Science

If you have specific questions about these degrees, please email dentistry@oztrekk.com and we will be happy to assist.

If you haven’t written the DAT, or your DAT is too low or no longer valid, but you have a completed degree, you may be eligible to apply to University of Otago. Please note, Otago has strict prerequisites, so we encourage you to check with OzTREKK to determine if you’re eligible.

A course outline includes all the necessary information about a university course. It will include the course title, the year, the learning goals, the professor’s contact information, reading materials and most important, a weekly learning schedule. This will help the universities to see what you studied on a week-to-week basis and assess if you have covered the material they expect you to know.

• Year and semester date
• Faculty contact information
• Course description
• Hours of study
• Textbook information
• Detailed list of topics that are covered in the course; usually found in a detailed lecture schedule or list of chapter readings

Please note, one-paragraph course descriptions will not suffice. The university would like to see course outlines like those handed out at the beginning of the semester, which outline all topics covered within the course. If you do not have copies of these on hand, contact the faculty from which you undertook these courses, as they usually have copies on file.

These course outlines must be attached to the email in PDF (do not send PDF links) and labelled in the following manner:

CAPS 391 Human Anatomy I UBC F2015 (COURSE CODE)(Name of Course)(University)(Semester & Year)

When you do this, it helps us be more efficient and move your application(s) at lightning speed.

If your documents are not in English, you must provide full translation of each document, either prepared by your university or by a registered translator. You must not translate the documents yourself.

Please note OzTREKK must receive the official translation directly from the university or translator in order to certify the document.

Unfortunately, if you do not have the required prerequisites, you are not eligible to apply. If you are missing a course or two, you can enroll in those courses before applying and we will submit your interim transcript with your application. Otherwise, you are welcome to send in a course outline you feel covers the required content. If you’re unsure, please contact OzTREKK for details.

Please note the number of places listed are estimates given to OzTREKK by the universities and are subject to change from year to year.

Charles Sturt University: 10
Griffith University: 25
James Cook University: 15
University of Melbourne: 25–30
University of Queensland: 40
University of Sydney: 45+
University of Western Australia: 6
University of Otago: 10

The undergraduate-entry programs do not require applicants to write the DAT. Applicants should aim for the highest GPA they can attain, and in some cases, interview preparation.

Unfortunately, the listed dental schools will not accept a direct transfer; however, there is the option to apply for credit for your courses for the undergraduate-entry dental programs. Please note, though, that receiving credit is not always guaranteed.

The process to practice dentistry after graduating from an Australian dental school is straightforward. The Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada has a mutual recognition with the Australian Dental Council since 2010, meaning that since then they have recognized one another’s accreditation. This means that after graduating from an accredited Australian dental school, Canadians can then take the same National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) written and OSCE examinations that graduates of Canadian dental schools take to become licensed to practice dentistry back in Canada, without having to undertake a bridging program or other additional requirements to become licensed.

Pathway to Certification

1. Create an online application through NDEB Portal and register for the exam.
2. Provide original transcript showcasing your graduation date.
3. Once you’ve passed the exam and have provided proof of your graduation, you will be certified and a certificate will be issued.
4. You will then follow the steps to receive provincial licensure.

For more information about the process, please visit our Practicing dentistry in Canada page.