Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)

View PDF

Program Code
BDS

Program Faculty
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Academic Year
2025

These Program Rules should be read in conjunction with the University's policies (https://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies).

This program prepares graduates who are eligible for registration as dental practitioners through AHPRA.

The program consists of one highly integrated course, in which concepts are learnt through a case-based learning approach and are coordinated within and between years. First year introduces students to the practice of dentistry in both simulated and actual clinic settings and provides a foundation for understanding the normal structure and function of the oral cavity and body, person-centered healthcare and evidence-based maintenance of patients’ health. With a focus on contextual learning throughout the program, students develop an integrated knowledge base of relevant scientific information, evidence-based patient care and related clinical and interpersonal skills and professional behaviours. Learning environments emphasise both individual and collaborative, independent and in-class activities plus varied clinical placement opportunities that include learning to critically evaluate, plan and implement strategies for improvement. In later years, clinical experiences are not restricted to University teaching semesters.

Places are open to school leavers, applicants with tertiary education experience, special entry and Aboriginal entry applicants.
The Bachelor of Dental Surgery is an AQF Level 7 qualification with a standard full-time duration of 5 years.

Program Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate professional behaviours, including maintaining an ethical approach and complying with legal and regulatory requirements.
Obtain relevant histories and examination data, assess individual and/or population oral and general health status, and where necessary, select further investigations to formulate, implement, and monitor the effectiveness of management plans, in consultation with patients, carers and communities and other members of the healthcare team.
Promote and optimise the oral and general health and welfare of individuals and/or populations within and outside traditional practice settings.
Adopt a questioning and evidence-based approach to own work and that of others, and respond appropriately to changes in health care, policy and to advances in scientific knowledge and technology.
Demonstrate a patient-centred approach, working within limits of competence and referring patients appropriately and ensuring a safe and effective collaborative approach to patient care and the work environment.
Respond appropriately to changes in health care, policy and to advances in scientific knowledge and technology by planning ongoing personal and professional development.

Condition of Enrolment
Clinical Deed Poll: The University of Adelaide and the Minister for Health have a clinical placement agreement in place which allows the University to request clinical placements in SA Health facilities. As part of this agreement students are required to complete a deed poll (pdf file). A deed poll is an agreement between the student and SA Health to ensure patient information is treated with confidentiality and that the student has met the required clearances. By signing a deed poll students understand their obligations and agree to comply with the relevant state legislation.
https://health.adelaide.edu.au/study-with-us/student-support/clinical-placements

Tuberculosis Clearance: Students who undertake clinical placements, internships or research projects involving children or people who are ill, elderly or vulnerable are now required to demonstrate tuberculosis (TB) clearance through obtaining a TB Screening Notification from SA Tuberculosis Services.

Criminal History Clearance: Students who undertake clinical placements, internships or research projects involving children or vulnerable adults are required to demonstrate clearance by producing a criminal history check, obtained through a Department of Human Services (DHS) check. International students are required to obtain a criminal history clearance from their home country and the DHS/National Police Clearance.

Immunisation: Prior to any clinical placement, students will need to provide evidence of immunisation status. Students are required to have the appropriate level of immunisation required by the Immunisation for Health Care Workers in South Australia Policy Directive for tuberculosis (TB) screening and criminal history clearances (CHC), Prescribed Communicable Infections (PCI) screening, including recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines.

Student and Professional Registration: Students accepted into the program are required to be registered with the relevant regulatory authority.

Uniform: During clinical placements students are required to comply with professional dress standards.

Interruption of program: Students must apply for permission from the Program Director or Delegate before taking a Leave of Absence. Any extension of the leave without approval will result in the loss of place in the program but an application may be made to be re-admitted to the program subject to the admission procedures in place at the time.

Inherent requirements: Students are required to acknowledge their understanding of the University of Adelaide dentistry program inherent requirements (see https://health.adelaide.edu.au/study-with-us/dentistry-oral-health/dentistry-oral-health-inherent-requirements/)

Further detail is located at: https://health.adelaide.edu.au/study-with-us/student-support/clinical-placements

Program Maximum Duration: As specified in Table 1 of the Coursework Academic Programs Policy, this program must be completed within a Maximum Duration which includes any periods of non-enrolment, leave of absence or approved study at other institutions for credit towards a Program.

Academic Program Rules for Bachelor of Dental Surgery

There shall be a Bachelor of Dental Surgery.

To qualify for the degree of Bachelor of Dental Surgery, the student must complete satisfactorily a program of study consisting of the following requirements with a combined total of not less than 120 units:

Core courses to the value of 120 units

Work based learning / extra mural studies

Students will undertake intensive prescribed clinical placements throughout the five years of the program. Students will be required to undertake clinical placements away from the North Terrace campus/Adelaide Dental Hospital in locations across metropolitan Adelaide, rural South Australia and interstate dental clinical sites.

In the final year, students are required to undertake a compulsory rural and/or interstate clinical placement of 12 - 13 weeks. Students are expected to travel to and from clinical placements.

Core Courses

Core Courses

To satisfy the requirements for Core Courses students must complete courses to the value of 120 units.