Oral Health Therapy

Course overview

Oral health therapists are experts in diagnosing, treating and preventing oral disease in patients of all ages. They are registered independent dental practitioners, skilled in various dental treatments, including deciduous tooth removals, some fillings and periodontal therapy. Oral health therapists promote oral health, encourage healthy oral hygiene behaviours and prevent oral disease.

In this course, you’ll learn how to communicate with a diverse group of patients, develop public health initiatives, change behaviours and manage oral and dental diseases.

Throughout your studies, you’ll complete various placements, collaborating with dentists and other healthcare professionals to address the oral health needs of individual patients.

Upon graduating, you’ll have the knowledge, practical skills and confidence required to commence your career as an oral health therapist.

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the inherent requirements before applying.

Career outcomes

Careers

• Oral health therapist
• Oral health researcher
• Oral health educator

Industries

• Dental practice
• Hospital
• Government and community health
• Tertiary education
• Aged care and residential care

Professional accreditation and recognition

This course is accredited by the Australian Dental Council and the Dental Board of Australia. Graduates are eligible for professional recognition by the Oral Health Association of Australia (OHAA) and the Dental Hygienists Association of Australia.

Hear from our students

"The practical side of the course was the most enjoyable. We had a great balance between working with children to develop our therapy skills, and with adults to build on our hygiene and adult scope of practice. I’m beginning my career as an oral health therapist, equipped with strong clinical and patient management skills I developed throughout my studies."

Kimberly Bransby
Bachelor of Science (Oral Health Therapy)

Entry requirements

To study this course, you must meet the entry criteria:

• course ATAR, or equivalent, demonstrated via an accepted entry pathway
• any course-specific requirements
• English language requirement.

Minimum ATAR entry required
This course requires you to achieve a minimum ATAR/selection rank to be considered for entry, but does not guarantee selection.

Entry pathways

Course-specific requirements

You’ll also need to meet any specific requirements to be eligible to apply for this course.

Study credit and support

You may be able to receive study credit or support based on your previous experience or personal circumstances.

Get credit towards your degree

You may be able to receive credit for recognised learning (CRL) from past study or professional experience, which could reduce the time it takes to finish your course.

Find specific details about CRL for this course on the Handbook.

Special consideration

If your studies were affected by circumstances beyond your control, you may be eligible for special consideration when applying to Curtin. This process is available to new applicants only and allows your application to be assessed in light of those circumstances.

Check if you’re eligible for special consideration.

Additional information

Application Requirements

If you’re looking to apply for our Bachelor of Science (Oral Health Therapy), please refer to our admission requirements before completing your application.