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Course Overview
In the Bachelor of Oral Health course, you will learn to perform preventive and operative dentistry for patients across the lifespan in general and specialist practices. You will be able to educate and promote oral health to community groups and individuals. On graduation, you will be eligible to apply to the Dental Board of Australia for registration as an Oral Health Therapist.
Career Information
Graduates will be able to apply for registration to work as an oral health therapist in general and specialist dental practices within Australia. They will be able to perform preventive and operative dentistry for patients across the lifespan. Graduates are also able to educate and promote oral health in small group and community settings.
| Duration | 3 years full-time |
|---|---|
| Credit Points that Must be Earned | 144 |
| Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
| Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
| Course Type | Undergraduate Award |
| Qualification (post nominal) | BOralHlth |
| AQF Level | Level 7: Bachelor Degree |
| Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2026
Indicative Year - 2025
Indicative Year - 2024
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
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Admission Codes
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
Please Click Here for more information.
Domestic Availability
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Term 1 - 2027
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Term 1 - 2026
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Term 1 - 2025
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Term 1 - 2024
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Term 1 - 2023
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Term 1 - 2022
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Term 1 - 2021
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Term 1 - 2020
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Term 1 - 2019Please note that this course is only available for full time study.
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Term 1 - 2018All students are required to be interviewed before being accepted in the course. International applications should be lodged before 8th December each year for Term 1 entry in the following year. Eligible students are required to successfully undergo and pass a telephone interview about oral health therapy as a career as part of the selection criteria for this course. Telephone interviews take place in late December and early January. Entry is competitive in terms of Higher School Certificate results and pre-requisites of English and Science. Up to two (2) places for international students can be offered each year.
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Term 1 - 2017All students are required to be interviewed before being accepted in the course
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Term 2 - 2016Term 2 availability is only for students who have completed CQUniversity's STEPS/TEP course. All students are required to be interviewed before being accepted into this course.
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Term 1 - 2016All students are required to be interviewed before being accepted in the program
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Term 2 - 2015Term 2 offering is only for students who have completed CQUniversity's STEPS/TEP program.
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Term 1 - 2015
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Term 2 - 2014
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Term 1 - 2014
International Availability
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Term 1 - 2027
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Term 1 - 2026
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Term 1 - 2025
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Term 1 - 2024
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Term 1 - 2023
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Term 1 - 2022
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Term 1 - 2021
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Term 1 - 2020
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Term 1 - 2019Please note that this course is only available for full time study.
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Term 1 - 2018All students are required to be interviewed before being accepted in the course. International applications should be lodged before 8th December each year for Term 1 entry in the following year. Eligible students are required to successfully undergo and pass a telephone interview about oral health therapy as a career as part of the selection criteria for this course. Telephone interviews take place in late December and early January. Entry is competitive in terms of Higher School Certificate results and pre-requisites of English and Science. Up to two (2) places for international students can be offered each year.
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Term 1 - 2017All students are required to be interviewed before being accepted in the course
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Term 2 - 2016Term 2 availability is only for students who have completed CQUniversity's STEPS/TEP course. All students are required to be interviewed before being accepted into this course.
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Term 1 - 2016All students are required to be interviewed before being accepted in the program
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Term 2 - 2015Term 2 offering is only for students who have completed CQUniversity's STEPS/TEP program.
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Term 1 - 2015
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Term 2 - 2014
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Term 1 - 2014
| Rank Threshold | SR 75 | ATAR 75 |
Domestic students
Prerequisites: English (4, SA) and one of either Biology (4, SA); Chemistry (4, SA) or Physics (4, SA).
Applications for admission from domestic students should be submitted via QTAC, and applicants will be required to undertake, and pass, a telephone interview as part of the application process.
If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.
Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion within the last 5 years of:
·
a secondary qualification (Year
11 or 12, or equivalent), or
·
bachelor level qualification
study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA 4.0
completed within
Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or
United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.
If you do not
satisfy any of the above you will need to undertake an English language
proficiency test and achieve the following scores as below.
·
An International English
Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 7.0
overall with a minimum 7.0 for Reading and Writing and 7.0 for Speaking and
Listening, or
·
An Occupational English Test
with Grades A or B only in each of the four components. English test results
remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the
date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single
result certificate.
Each student
will be assessed individually.
International students should visit the university website which relates to international students for further information relating to English language requirements.
Applicants must meet the English Language requirements determined by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and the Dental Board of Australia.
Applicants will be required to undertake, and pass, a telephone interview as part of the application process.
English, Science, Mathematics or equivalent.
Awards and Accreditation
| Interim Awards | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Exit Awards | CL13 - Diploma of Health Science |
| Accreditation |
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Residential School Requirements
| Compulsory Residential School | Students studying via distance education will be required to attend compulsory residential schools for the specified units. |
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| Click here to view all Residential Schools | |
Practicum/Work Placement
| ORAL11001 - Work-based learning takes place in a variety of settings. This includes general dental practices, specialist dental practices, school dental clinics, oral health clinics on campus and residential care facilities. |
| ORAL11003 - Work-based learning takes place in a variety of settings. This includes general dental practices, specialist dental practices, school dental clinics, oral health clinics on campus and residential care facilities. |
| ORAL12003 - Work-based learning takes place in a variety of settings. This includes general dental practices, specialist dental practices, school dental clinics, oral health clinics on campus and residential care facilities. |
| ORAL12006 - Work-based learning takes place in a variety of settings. This includes general dental practices, specialist dental practices, school dental clinics, oral health clinics on campus and residential care facilities. |
| ORAL13001 - Work-based learning takes place in a variety of settings. This includes general dental practices, specialist dental practices, school dental clinics, oral health clinics on campus and residential care facilities. |
| ORAL13002 - Work-based learning takes place in a variety of settings. This includes general dental practices, specialist dental practices, school dental clinics, oral health clinics on campus and residential care facilities. |
| HLTH12031 - Students will be required to volunteer for up to 25 hours in a community-based agency. |
Previous and Current Enrolments
| Year | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 78 |
| 2024 | 76 |
| 2023 | 62 |
| 2022 | 64 |
| 2021 | 60 |
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) placements apply to this course and as such are subject to compulsory pre-placement conditions referred to as mandatory checks and are outlined in the health, security and other compulsory requirements sections. Mandatory checks are determined by industry, organisations, legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures. To be eligible for a WIL placement, students must first achieve compliance with mandatory checks by each closing date prior to a WIL placement and maintain current evidence for the duration of the course.
Mandatory health requirements include immunisation and vaccination evidence (and serology where required) to the following diseases: Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Varicella, Pertussis, Influenza, Blood Borne Virus and Tuberculosis screening. Respirator mask fit testing is also an annual requirement for this course.
Effective 25 September 2023, updates have been made to the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for Queensland Health sites. While Queensland Health does not currently mandate evidence of COVID-19 vaccination, it's essential to recognise that other organisations within and outside of Queensland may enforce their own vaccination specific criteria. Students must ensure they meet all Mandatory Checks described in Sonia. Failure to meet an organisation’s vaccination requirements may result in delays in completing required placements.
Mandatory security requirements include an Australian Federal Police clearance and working with children check.
Other mandatory requirements include a First Aid and CPR certificate, student agreement to privacy and confidentiality, fitness to participate in WIL student declaration, jurisdictional and site-specific compulsory requirements, and other training modules.
- 1. Integrate theoretical and practical knowledge relevant to oral health and diseases
- 2. Make diagnostic judgements using appropriate critical thinking and problem-solving skills within the scope of an oral health therapist
- 3. Select and apply appropriate treatments and therapies relevant to holistic oral health care
- 4. Apply the principles of research methodology and evidence-based practice to oral health practice
- 5. Communicate decisions and outcomes relating to oral health to other health professionals and the general public, in individual, group and community settings, using appropriate language
- 6. Work effectively, ethically, professionally and safely in an individual or team context, within the scope of an oral health practitioner
- 7. Reflect on performance and take responsibility for further learning and professional development of themselves and others, as part of the oral health profession
- 8. Satisfy the relevant Australian Dental Council and Dental Board of Australia criteria in relation to knowledge, skills and fitness to practice as an Oral Health Therapist.
| Course Learning Outcomes | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 1. KNOWLEDGE Have a broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines as a basis for independent lifelong learning | ||||||||
| 2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge | ||||||||
| 3. SKILLS Have cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge with depth in some areas | ||||||||
| 4. SKILLS Have cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence | ||||||||
| 5. SKILLS Have communication skills to present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas | ||||||||
| 6. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and/or scholarship | ||||||||
| 7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts | ||||||||
| 8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for own learning and professional practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters | ||||||||
| KNOWLEDGE Develop an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture in contemporary and historical context using the respectful and appropriate protocols and terminology | ||||||||
| APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Engage in reflective self-evaluation of own cultural values and perspectives to proactively create an inclusive workplace that affirms and celebrates cultural diversity | ||||||||
| APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Display leadership by creating inclusive work environments and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a culturally respectful manner | ||||||||
- Complete the core structure
| Number of units: 20 | Total credit points: 144 |
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No additional notes.
| Year 1 - Term 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| HLTH11027 | Foundations of Health | |
| SCIE11022 | Introductory Science | |
| BIOH11005 | Introductory Anatomy and Physiology | |
| ORAL11001 | Introduction to Oral Health Therapy | |
| Year 1 - Term 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| BIOH11006 | Advanced Anatomy and Physiology | |
| ORAL11003 | Introduction to Oral Disease | |
| ORAL11004 | Oral Anatomy 1 | |
| ORAL11005 | Oral Anatomy 2 | |
| Year 2 - Term 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| HLTH12031 | Community Engaged Learning | |
| ORAL12001 | Oral Disease Prevention and Management | |
| ORAL12002 | Oral Health Pre Clinical Practice 1 | |
| ORAL12003 | Oral Health Clinical Practice 1 | |
| Year 2 - Term 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| MBIO12013 | Microbiology for Health Care | |
| ORAL12004 | Advanced Oral Health Practice | |
| ORAL12005 | Paediatric Dentistry for the Oral Health Therapist | |
| ORAL12006 | Oral Health Clinical Practice 2 | |
| Year 3 - Term 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| ORAL13001 | Oral Health Clinical Placement 1 | |
| HLTH13031 | Population Health Epidemiology | |
| Year 3 - Term 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| ORAL13002 | Oral Health Clinical Placement 2 | |
| HLTH12028 | Health Promotion Strategies | |
Oral Health Simulation and Prosthetic Laboratory Learning costs and information
Years 1-2 of the course include hands-on learning in the oral health simulation and prosthetic laboratories on campus during most terms. Students must demonstrate professional behaviours including regular attendance and meeting the course dress code during oral health simulation and prosthetic laboratory sessions. During simulations of oral health procedures, all students will participate in role plays as operator and patient. These essential learning activities will require touching and being touched by peers. If a student is unable to participate, it may impact the student's ability to attain required skills and complete unit assessments.
First year will be required to purchase equipment for simulation in Term 2, at an approximate cost of $1600.
Second year students will be required to purchase equipment for Term 2, at an approximate cost of $600.
Equipment can be used for clinical and oral health education purposes after graduation.
Oral Health Clinical Learning
Years 1-3 of the course include hands-on learning in the oral health clinical setting on and off campus during most terms. Students must demonstrate professional behaviours including regular attendance and meeting the course dress code during oral health clinical sessions. Whilst learning oral health procedures, all students will participate in role plays as operator and patient. These essential learning activities will require touching and being touched by peers. If a student is unable to participate, it may impact the student's ability to attain required skills and complete unit assessments.
Second year students will be required to purchase equipment for Term 1, at an approximate cost of $500.
Equipment can be used for clinical purposes after graduation.
Clinical Requirements
The Bachelor of Oral Health course involves extensive training in a clinical environment, initially using simulator technologies before progressing to full-time clinical placements in an oral health environment. Students should be prepared in their final year of study to spend four (4) days per week in full-time clinical placements as part of the course requirements. Before commencing work placement, students must have gathered the following to provide to the appropriate academic supervisor and their workplace supervisor:
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Signed clinical placement agreement;
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Current approved senior first aid and CPR certificate;
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Evidence of Immunisations as per the CQUniversity Policy for Vaccination of students in health units;
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Students require a Student (S) blue card - application form can be found at http://www.bluecard.qld.gov.au
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Students require an NDIS Worker Screening Clearance Card
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Students require a Police Certificate - application form can be found at https://www.police.qld.gov.au/corporatedocs/purchase/national-police-certificate/default.htm
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Respirator Mask Fit Test. 'Passed' respiratory mask-fit test evidence for a minimum of one mask. (Fit testing for two masks is recommended)
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ACSQHS Hand Hygiene for Clinical Health Care
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Workers Online Learning Module Certificate of Achievement
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ACSQHC The Basics of Infection Prevention and Control Online Learning Module Certificate of Achievement
Patient Safety
If there is a breach of patient safety, a student may be removed from patient contact and be required to undertake remediation. The student must then pass a safety audit prior to re-entering the clinical environment.
For Placement enquiries, please contact the WIL HMAS team:
Email: WIL-HMAS@cqu.edu.au
Ph: 07 4930 9124, Option 5
For Mandatory Check enquiries, please contact the WIL Compliance team:
Email: WILCompliance@cqu.edu.au
Ph: 07 4930 9124, Option 3
Health Authority Compliance
Health Authority Compliance (All States) as per the instructions per placement COVID-19 Vaccination Advice:
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Effective 25th September 2023, updates have been made to the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for Queensland Health sites and the Queensland Ambulance Service. While Queensland Health does not currently mandate evidence of COVID-19 vaccination, it's essential to recognise that other organisations may enforce their own vaccination specific criteria. This situation is similar across other states and territories, with the exception of Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia where COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for all healthcare students.
Legal Compliance
Complying with the Dental Board of Australia's Guidelines for Registered health practitioners and students in relation to blood-borne viruses (6 July 2020) in terms of being aware of their blood-borne virus (BBV) status and being offered testing for BBVs at or before entry to their course. Student health care workers who will be performing EPPs must be tested for BBVs in accordance with these Guidelines.
Unit Credit/Recognition of Prior Learning
Credit for a unit may be granted to students who are able to demonstrate appropriate prior learning in the last 5 years for clinical units and in the last 7 years for theoretical units at a recognised educational institution. The normal maximum amount of credit which may be granted to a prospective student enrolling into the Bachelor of Oral Health course is 72 credit points - this is based on previously completed equivalent studies. Refer to the Credit Transfer website for further details on the guidelines and application process or contact your Course Advisor. You can apply for direct credit against CQUniversity units, if equivalent tertiary level study has been completed. You must supply relevant documentation (study guides, unit profiles, etc) to do this. If your study was undertaken more than 10 years ago, you may not be eligible for credit.
Deferment of Initial Offer
There is no deferment permitted in the Bachelor of Oral Health course. If a student receives and accepts an offer to study this course, they MUST be prepared to study every term throughout their degree. If a student chooses to defer from the course for whatever reason, they will be automatically cancelled from the course. Students who have completed some study in the course may have a Leave of Absence (LOA) approved under special circumstances.
Leave of Absence (LOA) and Return from Leave of Absence (RLOA) of Course
Domestic Students: There is a process where students can apply for a Leave of Absence (LOA) part way through their course. For more information regarding a Leave of Absence for the Bachelor of Oral Health course please contact 13 CQUni (132786) or send us an email at https://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
International Students: Please refer to Leave of Absence Policy and Procedure
Change of Course (CHOC) for current CQUniversity Students
Internal transfers for current CQU students are not permitted. Students cannot change courses from another CQUniversity course into CB29 Bachelor of Oral Health. Students who wish to change into CB29 must apply via QTAC/VTAC/UAC. Strict quota limits apply to each year of the course. Please go to the following link for further information on a Change of Course: www.cqu.edu.au/courses/how-to-apply/domestic/current-students-change-of-program
or contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86)) or send us an email at https://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
Readmission into the Course
There is a process where students previously enrolled in a course seek to recommence their studies in that course after their enrolment has lapsed or been cancelled. Applications for readmission to the same course are made directly to the University. For more information regarding admissions availability for the Bachelor of Oral Health please contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86)) or send us an email at https://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
Timeline on Course Completion
Years 1, 2 and 3 must be completed full-time and consecutively. If Leave of Absence (LOA) is approved, or if a student fails a unit, a student will be required to comply with a study plan that is designed to maintain their clinical skills and scientific knowledge.
Student and Graduate Registration
As per Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, all students enrolled in this course will be placed on the student register of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency (AHPRA) for the duration of their course. Education providers are obligated to notify AHPRA of any student impairment that may place the public at substantial risk or harm. Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Oral Health course, graduates are eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Dental Practitioner - Oral Health Therapist - with the Dental Board of Australia (DBofA). Such registration is required for practice in Australia as an oral health therapist. To be accepted for registration with the DBofA, graduates are required to disclose any criminal history, physical and/or psychological impairment and to meet the published standard of English language proficiency. For further information on these requirements, applicants are advised to consult the Dental Board of Australia's published information at http://www.dentalboard.gov.au/Registration.aspx
Computer Requirements
It is strongly recommended/requirement of enrolment in this course that students have access to the CQUniversity website. Students may be required to undertake various components of study in the course using email and the internet. It is strongly recommended that students have access to a broadband connection or higher to access online student resources that include but are not limited to, email, internet, video streaming and electronic assessment submission.
Degree with Distinction
To be eligible for consideration for the award of an undergraduate Degree with Distinction, a student must have achieved a minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 6.00 for their course. This calculation should be based on all relevant units' grades studied as part of the undergraduate degree course, for which the Degree with Distinction is to be awarded.