Oral Health student in prac setting
B-ORALHT

Oral Health Therapy

Bachelor degree

Develop the expertise to provide various clinical dental services and promote oral health.

Course outline
  • ATAR

    ATAR

    Minimum ATAR 80
  • Qualification
    Bachelor of Science (Oral Health Therapy)
  • Duration

    Duration

    3 years full-time
  • Credit

    Credit

    600
  • CRICOS

    CRICOS

    074565F
  • Location

    Location

    Curtin Perth
Course outline

Select your preferred campus:

2025

Semester 1

On campus

2026

Semester 1

On campus

Course outline
Oral Health Therapy

Outline

Outline

Oral health therapists are experts in the prevention of oral diseases and have an important role in oral health education. Within their clinical responsibilities, they examine and treat patients, professionally cleaning teeth and removing stains and calculus. They are specifically trained to work with children, but can treat tooth decay and perform certain fillings in patients of all ages.

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.

What jobs can the Oral Health Therapy course lead to?

Careers

  • Oral health therapist

Industries

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

What you'll learn

  • identify oral disease and synthesise information to develop appropriate preventive and treatment plans to support the oral health needs of individuals, including special care
  • apply problem-solving, critical thinking and decision-making skills in the management of oral disease in individuals and the community, utilising contemporary technologies relevant to dental practice in a responsible and effective manner
  • identify oral disease and synthesise information to develop appropriate preventive and treatment plans to support the oral health needs of individuals, including special care
  • provide appropriate patient care and oral health education by applying evidence-based clinical principles and behaviour management techniques, and apply contemporary technologies relevant to dental practice in a responsible and effective manner
  • communicate effectively with patients, key stake holders and other health professionals
  • utilise lifelong learning skills promoting ongoing personal and professional development to offer the best possible care to individuals and the community
  • promote oral health and general health of individuals and the community by working collaboratively and considering cultural differences
  • demonstrate cultural awareness and promote equal access to preventive oral health care for the community
  • practice in a professional and ethical manner as part of the dental team and critically reflect on care provided

Why study Oral Health Therapy

World-ranked, global university

Curtin is ranked in the top 1% of universities in the world, by the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).

Professional recognition

Graduates are eligible for professional recognition by the Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists Association.

Accredited course

This course is accredited by the Australian Dental Council and the Dental Board of Australia.

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the Australian Dental Council and the Dental Board of Australia.

Graduates are eligible for professional recognition by the Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists Association.

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

Select an option that best suits you:

You’re considered a high school leaver if you:

  • Completed year 12 in Australia or overseas in the past two years, or
  • Completed TAFE or VET studies in the past two years.

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 80

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 80

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    There are no essential WACE subjects for this course.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    Human Biology ATAR or Biology ATAR

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

StepUp Entry

StepUp Entry

Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.

Alternative pathways

  • Indigenous applicant

    If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant who hasn’t met Curtin’s minimum admissions criteria, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies offers bridging courses that are tailored to help you gain entry into this course.

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    STAT elements considered are WE and either V or Q.  

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7

Speaking

7

Reading

7

Listening

7

Overall band score

7

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

How others gained admission

View the ATAR breakdown to see the low, median and high ATAR scores of students who started studying this course recently.

To see the other pathways students have taken, see the pathway breakdown.

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.

Other requirements and notes for this course

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the Inherent requirements | Study (curtin.edu.au) before applying. Reasonable adjustments can be made for students with disability.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Applicants should refer to the Curtin website or Curtin Handbook for more information on specific admission requirements, including Inherent Requirements for Oral Health Therapy: https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/application-requirements/oral-therapy/

 

Applicants for this course should refer to the admission criteria on the Curtin website or Curtin Handbook for information regarding Inherent Requirements: https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/application-requirements/oral-therapy/

 

Applicants for this course should refer to the Clinical Health Sciences and Police Clearance Section of the Faculty of Health Sciences website. 

• Curtin requires you to be screened for, and vaccinated against, several communicable diseases before commencing fieldwork. There is an onus on individual students to be aware of their immunity or carrier status in relation to communicable diseases. Depending on the status of any communicable disease there is the possibility that you may not be able to complete the clinical placement requirements of the course. Students who are carriers of blood-borne viruses are not permitted to perform some procedures on patients http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/cda-cdna-bloodborne.htm Serological testing must therefore be completed prior to or during the first semester of study in the course and the results communicated to the area. 

 

Successful completion of a Senior First Aid Certificate is required before students proceed to second year, second semester studies.

Additional clinical hours are required during inter-semester breaks. Practical sessions are undertaken in a variety of settings including program's clinic, OHCWA, community clinics and private dental practices.

Communicable diseases:
There is an onus on individual students to be aware of their immunity or carrier status in relation to communicable diseases. Depending on the status of any communicable disease there is the possibility that you may not be able to complete the clinical placement requirements of the course. Students who are carriers of blood-borne viruses are not permitted to perform some procedures on patients. Serological testing must therefore be completed prior to or during the first semester of study in the course and the results communicated to the course Administrative Assistant.

 Ranking and Selection Process

1. Applicants will be ranked and selected based on published entry requirements and entire academic record.

2. Applicants must provide all required documents and be assessed as eligible to be included in the ranking for an offer.

3. Meeting the minimum entry requirements and course specific prerequisites, does not guarantee selection.

4. In the event the course reaches capacity the University reserves the right not to proceed with subsequent offer rounds.

 

You’re considered someone with work and life experience if:

You have left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.

How we define ‘experience’
‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.

Pathways

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    STAT elements considered are WE and either V or Q.  

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 80

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 80

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    There are no essential WACE subjects for this course.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    Human Biology ATAR or Biology ATAR

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7

Speaking

7

Reading

7

Listening

7

Overall band score

7

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

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.

Other requirements and notes for this course

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the Inherent requirements | Study (curtin.edu.au) before applying. Reasonable adjustments can be made for students with disability.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Applicants should refer to the Curtin website or Curtin Handbook for more information on specific admission requirements, including Inherent Requirements for Oral Health Therapy: https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/application-requirements/oral-therapy/

 

Applicants for this course should refer to the admission criteria on the Curtin website or Curtin Handbook for information regarding Inherent Requirements: https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/application-requirements/oral-therapy/

 

Applicants for this course should refer to the Clinical Health Sciences and Police Clearance Section of the Faculty of Health Sciences website. 

• Curtin requires you to be screened for, and vaccinated against, several communicable diseases before commencing fieldwork. There is an onus on individual students to be aware of their immunity or carrier status in relation to communicable diseases. Depending on the status of any communicable disease there is the possibility that you may not be able to complete the clinical placement requirements of the course. Students who are carriers of blood-borne viruses are not permitted to perform some procedures on patients http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/cda-cdna-bloodborne.htm Serological testing must therefore be completed prior to or during the first semester of study in the course and the results communicated to the area. 

 

Successful completion of a Senior First Aid Certificate is required before students proceed to second year, second semester studies.

Additional clinical hours are required during inter-semester breaks. Practical sessions are undertaken in a variety of settings including program's clinic, OHCWA, community clinics and private dental practices.

Communicable diseases:
There is an onus on individual students to be aware of their immunity or carrier status in relation to communicable diseases. Depending on the status of any communicable disease there is the possibility that you may not be able to complete the clinical placement requirements of the course. Students who are carriers of blood-borne viruses are not permitted to perform some procedures on patients. Serological testing must therefore be completed prior to or during the first semester of study in the course and the results communicated to the course Administrative Assistant.

 Ranking and Selection Process

1. Applicants will be ranked and selected based on published entry requirements and entire academic record.

2. Applicants must provide all required documents and be assessed as eligible to be included in the ranking for an offer.

3. Meeting the minimum entry requirements and course specific prerequisites, does not guarantee selection.

4. In the event the course reaches capacity the University reserves the right not to proceed with subsequent offer rounds.

 

You’re considered someone who studied at TAFE or have done an apprenticeship if:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.

Pathways

  • TAFE entry

    • AQF Diploma; or
    • AQF Advanced Diploma

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    STAT elements considered are WE and either V or Q.  

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 80

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 80

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    There are no essential WACE subjects for this course.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    Human Biology ATAR or Biology ATAR

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7

Speaking

7

Reading

7

Listening

7

Overall band score

7

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

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.

Other requirements and notes for this course

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the Inherent requirements | Study (curtin.edu.au) before applying. Reasonable adjustments can be made for students with disability.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Applicants should refer to the Curtin website or Curtin Handbook for more information on specific admission requirements, including Inherent Requirements for Oral Health Therapy: https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/application-requirements/oral-therapy/

 

Applicants for this course should refer to the admission criteria on the Curtin website or Curtin Handbook for information regarding Inherent Requirements: https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/application-requirements/oral-therapy/

 

Applicants for this course should refer to the Clinical Health Sciences and Police Clearance Section of the Faculty of Health Sciences website. 

• Curtin requires you to be screened for, and vaccinated against, several communicable diseases before commencing fieldwork. There is an onus on individual students to be aware of their immunity or carrier status in relation to communicable diseases. Depending on the status of any communicable disease there is the possibility that you may not be able to complete the clinical placement requirements of the course. Students who are carriers of blood-borne viruses are not permitted to perform some procedures on patients http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/cda-cdna-bloodborne.htm Serological testing must therefore be completed prior to or during the first semester of study in the course and the results communicated to the area. 

 

Successful completion of a Senior First Aid Certificate is required before students proceed to second year, second semester studies.

Additional clinical hours are required during inter-semester breaks. Practical sessions are undertaken in a variety of settings including program's clinic, OHCWA, community clinics and private dental practices.

Communicable diseases:
There is an onus on individual students to be aware of their immunity or carrier status in relation to communicable diseases. Depending on the status of any communicable disease there is the possibility that you may not be able to complete the clinical placement requirements of the course. Students who are carriers of blood-borne viruses are not permitted to perform some procedures on patients. Serological testing must therefore be completed prior to or during the first semester of study in the course and the results communicated to the course Administrative Assistant.

 Ranking and Selection Process

1. Applicants will be ranked and selected based on published entry requirements and entire academic record.

2. Applicants must provide all required documents and be assessed as eligible to be included in the ranking for an offer.

3. Meeting the minimum entry requirements and course specific prerequisites, does not guarantee selection.

4. In the event the course reaches capacity the University reserves the right not to proceed with subsequent offer rounds.

 

You’re considered someone who has recently left university if:

Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This may include applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It may also include applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

Curtin course switcher criteria

To switch into this course, you need to have:

  1. Completed a minimum of 100 credits.
  2. A weighted average of 70% or higher in the four most recent units studied.
  3. An academic status of 'Good Standing'.

Higher education course switcher criteria

Switching into this course from another higher education course provider is only available in Semester one. 

A minimum ATAR/ Selection Rank of 80 is required

Note: Selection Ranks are assessed based on your tertiary studies

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 80

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 80

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    There are no essential WACE subjects for this course.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    Human Biology ATAR or Biology ATAR

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7

Speaking

7

Reading

7

Listening

7

Overall band score

7

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

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.

Other requirements and notes for this course

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the Inherent requirements | Study (curtin.edu.au) before applying. Reasonable adjustments can be made for students with disability.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Applicants should refer to the Curtin website or Curtin Handbook for more information on specific admission requirements, including Inherent Requirements for Oral Health Therapy: https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/application-requirements/oral-therapy/

 

Applicants for this course should refer to the admission criteria on the Curtin website or Curtin Handbook for information regarding Inherent Requirements: https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/application-requirements/oral-therapy/

 

Applicants for this course should refer to the Clinical Health Sciences and Police Clearance Section of the Faculty of Health Sciences website. 

• Curtin requires you to be screened for, and vaccinated against, several communicable diseases before commencing fieldwork. There is an onus on individual students to be aware of their immunity or carrier status in relation to communicable diseases. Depending on the status of any communicable disease there is the possibility that you may not be able to complete the clinical placement requirements of the course. Students who are carriers of blood-borne viruses are not permitted to perform some procedures on patients http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/cda-cdna-bloodborne.htm Serological testing must therefore be completed prior to or during the first semester of study in the course and the results communicated to the area. 

 

Successful completion of a Senior First Aid Certificate is required before students proceed to second year, second semester studies.

Additional clinical hours are required during inter-semester breaks. Practical sessions are undertaken in a variety of settings including program's clinic, OHCWA, community clinics and private dental practices.

Communicable diseases:
There is an onus on individual students to be aware of their immunity or carrier status in relation to communicable diseases. Depending on the status of any communicable disease there is the possibility that you may not be able to complete the clinical placement requirements of the course. Students who are carriers of blood-borne viruses are not permitted to perform some procedures on patients. Serological testing must therefore be completed prior to or during the first semester of study in the course and the results communicated to the course Administrative Assistant.

 Ranking and Selection Process

1. Applicants will be ranked and selected based on published entry requirements and entire academic record.

2. Applicants must provide all required documents and be assessed as eligible to be included in the ranking for an offer.

3. Meeting the minimum entry requirements and course specific prerequisites, does not guarantee selection.

4. In the event the course reaches capacity the University reserves the right not to proceed with subsequent offer rounds.

 

Unsure what option suits you?

We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of university admission. Choose the support you need from the options below.

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool
Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

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Fees and charges

Fee information is not available for this course at this time. Find estimated course fees.

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

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Location

For start dates, please view the academic calendar.

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2025

Semester 1
  • On campus

2026

Semester 1
  • On campus

All endeavours are made to ensure location information for courses is up to date but please note they are subject to change.

The University reserves the right to withdraw any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program.

How to apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

Please note that each campus has different application deadlines. View our application deadlines page for further information.

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  • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

    The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

    While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

    View courses information disclaimer.

  • Curtin course code: B-ORALHT
  • CRICOS code: 074565F
  • Last updated on: 5 October 2024

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