Is having a career taking care of smiles your big goal? With beautiful beaches and exciting cities, Australia is the perfect place to make your dream come true. Australian dental schools offer abundant options with contemporary clinics, experienced educators, and immersive training. No matter which part of the world you are from, dental colleges in Australia offer the perfect opportunity: to make new friends, soak up the iconic culture, and prepare for a rewarding career. To help in your journey, we share a list of colleges where you can find the best dentistry courses in Australia. Here, you will also find out about the admission requirements you must follow to accomplish your dream.
What is Dentistry?
Dentistry is a branch of medicine that specializes in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral cavity, teeth, gums, and jaws. It involves maintaining overall oral health and restoring optimal function and appearance. As a dentist, your role is to help patients maintain good oral health and disease-free teeth and gums. Some key areas of dentistry follow a preventive approach to stopping tooth decay, treating oral infections, and replacing missing teeth with crowns. Overall, being a dentist means using your skills and knowledge to help patients flaunt healthy smiles!
Why Study Dentistry in Australia?
While you can find some of the best healthcare courses in Australia, studying in Australian dental colleges opens up amazing opportunities. The institutions have a strong global focus, offering diverse campus communities. Below, we share the reasons why you should get admission to Australian dentistry schools:
Top 8 Australian Dental Schools
Initially, it seems intimidating to choose the perfect one among many Australian dental schools. The journey of becoming a dentist takes approximately 7 years, and the courses have different requirements. Following are the dental universities in Australia and their indicative tuition fees, intake, duration, and courses offered.
1. University of Melbourne
Year of Establishment: 1853
QS Ranking: #14
Programme: Doctor of Dental Surgery
Tuition Fees: AU$395,264 for a 4-year course
Intake: Late February/Early March
The University of Melbourne is not only one of the best universities in Australia but also the second-oldest university in the country. Melbourne Dental School’s DDS course is a part of the Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences, and Dentistry, situated in Carlton. The advanced postgraduation degree focuses on pre-clinical practical classes and clinical patient treatments. For admissions, you need an undergraduate degree in physiology, biochemistry, anatomy, or any other related discipline.
2. University of Adelaide
Year of Establishment: 1874
QS Ranking: #89
Programme: Bachelor of Dental Surgery
Tuition Fees: AUS$440,000 for a 5-year course
Intake: February/March
The University of Adelaide is ranked 2nd nationally for its exceptional clinical training and experienced faculty. In the sea of Australian dental schools, this institution has been teaching dentistry courses for over a century. You will get to use the latest technology, like special CT scanners in modern labs, and participate in cool research projects. Moreover, you will enjoy an enriching university lifestyle and access Adelaide’s Dental Simulation Clinic as well as community outreach prorgammes.
3. James Cook University
Year of Establishment: 1961
QS Ranking: #451
Programme: Bachelor of Dental Surgery
Tuition Fees: AU$73,040 for a 5-year course
Intake: February
If you want to get a dentistry degree in Australia, James Cook University will teach you the fundamental theory of dental sciences and beyond. The curriculum offers the opportunity to work with professionals and explore oral problems in rural areas of Queensland. Its long-standing reputation makes the institution one of the best Australian dental schools, and it welcomes around 1,500 international students. Plus, you can grow in a diverse learning environment and leverage 2,000 hours of supervised clinical placements.
4. La Trobe University
Year of Establishment: 1964
QS Ranking: #242
Programme: Bachelor of Dental Science
Tuition Fees: AUS$374,560 for a 5-year course
Intake: Late February/Early March
La Trobe University, one of the best dental universities in Australia, has a unique approach to preparing students for rural and regional dental care. Based at the Bendigo campus, the teaching clinics allow you to practice using the latest technology. You will receive ample hands-on clinical experiences and can treat real patients in the community. It is one of the top Australian dental schools, especially for its state-of-the-art medical facilities, like Dental Simulation Laboratories.
5. Charles Stuart University
Year of Establishment: 1989
QS Ranking: #764
Programme: Bachelor of Dental Science
Tuition Fees: AU$348,400 for a 5-year course
Intake: February
Also referred to as CSU, this is one of the top Australian dental schools with over six campuses across New South Wales. The institution offers a great environment with anatomy teaching facilities and simulation clinics, where you can undertake placements at any of the CSU dental health clinics. While studying in one of the dental schools in Australia for international students, you can practice at the on-campus clinics and become a successful dentist or dental educator.
6. Griffith University
Year of Establishment: 1971
QS Ranking: #243
Programme: Bachelor of Dental Health Science
Tuition Fees: AU$195,000 for a 3-year course
Intake: March
Griffith University offers access to observe and learn at a $150 million purpose-built Griffith Health Centre. Consistently ranking as one of the best Australian dental schools, the university lets you practice at simulated dental labs from the first year. You can immerse yourself in the modern dental landscape. The course helps you learn how to use intraoral cameras and digital X-rays during your placements. Moreover, this dentistry degree in Australia surrounds you with 130 academic and clinical staff members for holistic experiences.
7. University of Queensland
Year of Establishment: 1909
QS Ranking: #43
Programme: Bachelor of Dental Science
Tuition Fees: AU$418,270 for a 5-year course
Intake: February
The University of Queensland offers a rich legacy with its constant ranking as one of the top Australian dental schools. Throughout 5 years, you will gain over 4,200 hours of clinical experience. You can also choose from a range of elective courses, such as pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, to gain the latest knowledge of oral medicine, periodontics, etc. During your first year, you can expect placements outside Brisbane and contribute to quality oral healthcare.
8. University of Sydney
Year of Establishment: 1850
QS Ranking: #19
Programme: Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Dental Medicine
Tuition Fees: AU$392,000 for a 7-year course
Intake: March
Your journey will start with the 3-year Bachelor of Science degree. Then, you will progress into the 7-year Doctor of Dental Medicine. Meanwhile, you will gain research experience and access advanced scientific resources at one of the oldest schools in Sydney. Also recognised as one of the best dental colleges in Australia, the university lays a strong foundation in physiology, anatomy, and chemistry before allowing you to specialise in dentistry.
Admission Requirements to Study Dentistry in Australia
If you have always wanted to study in Australia, the dentistry courses will shape your career the way you want. Australian dentistry schools usually have varied admission requirements; however, most of the institutions follow the same criteria. Below, we share the admission prerequisites a student needs to keep in mind before applying for dentistry courses in Australia:
1. Academic Requirements
You need to complete your secondary education with strong results in mathematics, physics, biology, and chemistry. The dental colleges in Australia have their own GPA requirements. Some institutions require you to complete a bridging program to meet the academic entry qualifications.
2. English Language Proficiency
If you are an international student and a non-native English speaker, you will need to take PTE, TOEFL, or IELTS. The accepted score for PTE is 65, IELTS 7.0, and TOEFL 94. A few Australian dental colleges have different English language requirements; check the website for applying.
3. Admission Test and Interview
Dental universities in Australia require applicants to clear UCAT, GAMSAT, BMAT, or DAT as one of the criteria for admission. They also undertake online or personal interviews as a part of the admission process.
4. Other Requirements
To successfully pursue bachelors or masters in dentistry in Australia, you need a few documents for your application. Following are the common documents the best Australian dental schools require:
- A personal statement highlighting why you want to do dentistry
- A letter of reference from a dental professional
- A valid student visa
- Proof of financial support to cover tuition fees
After achieving a degree at one of the top Australian dental colleges, the world is your oyster. You can practise as a clinical dentist, oral health therapist, or community health officer after applying for an Australia post study work visa. The demand for dental practitioners is ever-growing – you can expect an annual salary of more than AU$70,000. In the meantime, do not forget about finding your home away from while chasing your dream at one of the top dental colleges in Australia! You can rely on amber to secure the perfect student accommodation and fulfil your dentistry aspirations in the Great Southern Land. Good luck!