313251 v.1 Bachelor of Science (Oral Health Therapy)

BSc(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 074565F
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 3 Years

---

Course Overview

Bachelor degrees prepare students to develop broad and coherent knowledge and skills in a discipline for professional work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 7 qualifications.

The oral health therapist is an educator and motivator with an important role in the promotion of oral health for patients and the broader community. As a member of the dental team, the oral health therapist works under the direction of a dentist to provide appropriate dental care for patients. Clinical procedures performed by oral health therapists include scaling and cleaning of teeth and the management of gum problems, fillings and simple extractions for children, the application of fluoride and other solutions to teeth and gums, local analgesia, dental radiography, taking impressions and a range of orthodontic duties. The curriculum integrates theory and practical studies from a number of areas within health sciences including dental, biomedical and social sciences.

Professional Recognition

All practising oral health therapists must be registered with the appropriate Dental Board. Registration permits the oral health therapist to work in private practice and the School Dental Service.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are expected to enjoy good rates of employment, mainly in general and specialist private dental practices and in government school dental clinics.

Additional Course Expenses

Students are expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. Protective clinical uniform and shoes are purchased during first semester. Instruments are purchased during second and third semester. Students may also incur some expenses to ensure that they have completed all necessary immunizations.

---

Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au and include flexible entry pathways.

Specifically, it is desirable to have: Human Biological Science 3A/3B or Biological Sciences 3A/3B. Based on academic performance, you are required to attend an interview. Interviews are normally held in December and early January as results become available and can be arranged by distance. STAT elements considered are WE and either V or Q.

Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.

Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to a bachelor degree with honours and some graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and master degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.

Course Entry/Completion Note

Applicants for this course should refer to the Clinical Health Sciences and Police Clearance Section of the Faculty of Health Sciences website. Successful completion of a Senior First Aid Certificate is required before students proceed to first year, second semester studies.

---

Course Organisation

Bachelor degrees typically contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from to pursue learning in a specialised area of study.

The course commences with a study of relevant health sciences, communication and research methods, together with preventive dentistry and oral health therapy techniques. These subjects, further developed in years two and three, cover a broad field relating to community dentistry and to practical and clinical aspects of oral health therapy. Practical sessions run throughout the three years. Clinical experience commences in the second year and continues throughout the course.

Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. provide appropriate patient care and dental health education by applying sound clinical principles and behaviour management techniques conducive to good oral health

2. use problem-solving, critical thinking and decision-making skills in the management of oral disease in individuals and the community

3. identify oral disease, gather and interpret data and synthesise information to develop appropriate preventive and treatment approaches as part of the overall needs of individuals

4. communicate effectively with other health professionals, patients and various target groups

5. use new and existing technologies relevant to dental practice in a responsible and effective manner

6. utilise lifelong learning skills to help foster ongoing personal and professional development

7. promote the oral health and general health of individuals and the community by working collaboratively, sharing knowledge and considering different perspectives

8. demonstrate cultural awareness and understanding in the provision of patient care

9. practice in a professional and ethical manner as part of the dental team and critically reflect on care provided.

Duration and Availability

This course is three years' full-time study. Additional clinical hours are required during inter-semester breaks. The course is conducted at the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia (OHCWA), on the Bentley Campus and in Dental Health Services' Clinic at Mt Henry. Practical sessions are undertaken in a variety of settings including the Department's clinic, OHCWA, community clinics and private dental practices.

Location and delivery Mode

Year	Location	Period	All*	Internal	Partially Online Internal^	External	Fully Online#
2014	Bentley Campus	Semester 1	Y
2014	Bentley Campus	Semester 2		Y

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.

Course Organisation Note

Students are required to practice techniques on one another before being permitted to move into patient care. Prospective students will need to be able to work as part of a team and should enjoy communicating and establishing rapport with persons of all cultural backgrounds and ages.

Course Structure				Hrs/Wk	Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
313257	v.1		Oral Health Therapy 131	8.5	25.0
313391	v.3		Human Structure and Function 100	4.0	25.0
313394	v.3		Foundations for Professional Health Practice 100	4.0	25.0
313400	v.2		Biomedical Science 100	4.0	25.0
					100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
314510	v.1		Health and Health Behaviour 130	3.0	12.5
314512	v.1		Evidence Informed Health Practice 130	2.0	25.0
312649	v.4		Indigenous Cultures and Health 130	2.0	12.5
313260	v.1		Oral Health Therapy 132	9.0	25.0
313399	v.3		Integrated Systems Anatomy and Physiology 100	4.0	25.0
					100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
313261	v.1		Preventive Dentistry 231	2.0	12.5
313262	v.1		Oral Bioscience 231	4.0	25.0
313263	v.1		Oral Health Therapy 231	4.0	25.0
313264	v.1		Oral Health Therapy 233	21.0	37.5
					100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
313465	v.1		Oral Bioscience 232	4.0	25.0
313268	v.1		Oral Health Therapy 236	15.5	37.5
313265	v.1		Preventive Dentistry 232	2.0	12.5
313267	v.1		Oral Health Therapy 234	4.0	25.0
					100.0
Year 3 Semester 1
313466	v.1		Oral Pathology and Medicine 331	2.5	12.5
313269	v.1		Preventive Dentistry 331	2.0	12.5
313270	v.1		Oral Health Therapy 331	4.0	25.0
313271	v.1		Oral Health Therapy 333	22.5	50.0
					100.0
Year 3 Semester 2
313272	v.1		Oral Health Therapy 336	21.0	50.0
313273	v.1		Preventive Dentistry 332	4.0	25.0
313274	v.1		Oral Health Therapy 334	4.0	25.0
					100.0

---

Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Health Sciences on telephone (08) 9266 1000, email futurestudents@health.curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://healthsciences.curtin.edu.au

Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.

---

Handbook Disclaimer