La Trobe University

Bachelor of Dental Science (Honours)

Undergraduate

Details

University Location Melbourne, Victoria
City Population 5.3 million
Student Population 36,000
Int'l Student Population 7,000
Main Campus Melbourne (Bundoora, suburb of Melbourne)
Program Campus Bendigo
Program Duration 5 years
Estimated Annual Tuition AUD$84,000 (2025 fees; subject to increase)
Semester Intake February
Next Available Intake 2026
Application Deadline Rolling admissions*
International Places 6

Overview

The purpose-built health facilities at the La Trobe University Rural Health School give students modern, interactive learning experiences and support the groundbreaking work of university researchers.

The clinical learning environments at the school provide realistic but safe spaces for you to start putting theory into practice. Dedicated spaces will allow you to develop the clinical and critical thinking skills that are vital for your career as a health professional. Experience gained in La Trobe’s world-class facilities mean you can confidently enter the workplace for your clinical placements with the university’s industry partners.

Dental Simulation Laboratories
Purpose-built dental simulation laboratories provide you with a world-class, modern, interactive environment where you can develop both periodontic and restorative dental clinical skills. Each of the two laboratories has 30 simulated dental manikins, so each student has hands-on access throughout each teaching session.

Feedback and critique of technical performances are key to skill development. The built-in technology in these labs allow you to use a smart phone or tablet to record your performance at any time. You can save it to your online portfolio and review it whenever you like—alone or with peers/staff to see where you can improve.

Prosthodontic and Anatomy Laboratory
This flexible teaching space is used for prosthodontic and anatomy teaching, practical, and laboratory exercises. The space is equipped with multiple LCD overhead display screens and 28 student workstations, each with a laboratory straight handpiece and an individual suction unit.

Simulated Dental Clinic
Get a taste for real-world dental and oral health practice in the simulated dental clinic. This teaching space has 8 fully equipped dental chairs and a clinical grade sterilization area.

You’ll get carefully supervised real-world practical experience in this authentic clinic environment. Skills and techniques developed here include infection control procedures, non-invasive dental procedures, and other procedures such as x-rays using dental manikins.

Program

With La Trobe’s Bachelor of Dental Science (Honours), you’ll develop your professional practice at Australia’s largest rural health school and be ready to practice after just 5 years.

Preclinical oral health
Develop your knowledge of preventive, periodontal, and restorative procedures. Upon graduation, you’ll be competent in basic preclinical skills including dental materials, infection control, OH&S, instrumentation, and dental procedures.

Medicine for dentistry
Learn to take a comprehensive medical history and understand its role in safe oral healthcare. Understand how therapeutic drugs are used to manage medical conditions.

Clinical practice
Discover how to diagnose and plan care for patients. Improve your communication and treatment skills while learning to manage patients in a clinical setting.

Prosthodontics
Learn the principles of fixed prosthodontics and apply them in practice during your clinical placement.

Clinical Placements (Work-based Learning)
During the Bachelor of Dental Science (Honours), you will participate in one or more supervised work-based learning (WBL) placements designed to allow you to practice newly acquired skills, behaviours and knowledge while integrating theory with practice. You’ll get hands-on experience in clinical placements across regional Victoria and treat patients under the supervision of experienced clinicians and work to improve oral health through prevention, education, and clinical care.

The placements will immerse you in professional work culture, enabling you to develop and further enhance your skills. WBL provides you with the opportunity to gain valuable industry experience at one or more of the university’s local, interstate, or international industry partners or agencies.

If you’d like to explore further research and develop a specialization, you can also complete a community-based project or research project, which can lead to a doctorate.

Admission Requirements

1. From high school
You must have a high school diploma with a minimum WAM of 90%+ from all Grade 12 subjects. Grade 12 (or equivalent) English, biology, and chemistry are required.

2. From university
You must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.8+/4.0.

Important: This program is extremely competitive. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee entry.

The DAT (Dental Aptitude Test) is not required.

Admission Timeline

*You are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible as applications are assessed as soon as they are submitted to the university. Offers are issued on a rolling basis until program is filled.

Applications for the 2025 intake closed September 5, 2024.