Doctor of Dental Surgery
Course code: MC-DDENSUR
January
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available
Access Melbourne is available
January
AUD $112,000 (2026 indicative first year fee)
IELTS 7.0 with written 7.0 and no band less than 6.5
Course structure
Overview
Course structure
The Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) at the University of Melbourne is a four-year, full-time program preparing students for professional dental practice. The curriculum integrates foundational scientific knowledge with extensive clinical experience, ensuring graduates are well-equipped to provide comprehensive oral health care in a variety of settings.
Throughout the DDS program, there is a progressive increase in clinical experience, culminating in a final year where students are predominantly engaged in clinical settings. This structure ensures that graduates are proficient and confident in delivering advanced general dental care.
All subjects in each year of study (100 credit points) must be successfully completed for progression to the next year of study.
Year 1: Students begin with subjects exploring pre-clinical dental practice, disease prevention and management, head and neck anatomy and developing a professional practice. This year establishes a foundation in oral health and preclinical skills, preparing students for clinical settings.
Year 2: Students will deepen their knowledge of dental practice and advance their preclinical skills. Students begin treating patients under supervision, applying their knowledge in real-world scenarios. In this year students will learn fundamental research skills and commence a research project.
Year 3:. Students refine their clinical and communication skills across various dental specialties, managing more complex cases and developing their patient management skills.
Year 4: The final year emphasises comprehensive clinical practice through a singular, year-long subject. This subject brings together clinical placements, didactic teaching, and assessments. Students engage in diverse clinical settings providing care to a broad patient demographic.
Explore this course
Explore the subjects you could choose as part of this degree.
First year
| Accordion | |
|---|---|
| Preclinical Dental Practice · 31.25 pts |
This subject will enable students to develop their knowledge and practical skills in preparation for person-centred clinical dental practice. Students will apply knowledge of disease processes, anatomy, common materials, equipment and instrumentation, and techniques for the management of caries (decay), periodontal (gum) diseases and tooth loss. Students will undertake tasks on manikins to develop skills in taking radiographs, preparing and restoring lost tooth structure (fillings), periodontal cleaning, the construction of complete dentures, and infection control. They will also learn the procedures for performing a patient history, examination and treatment planning. Students will learn about correct posture, safety, and working as a team (assistant and operator) in the dental operatory during the provision of these procedures. Students will participate in a range of learning activities including lectures, online learning modules, and practical classes in a pre-clinical simulation environment. |
| Diseases and Dentistry · 31.25 pts |
An understanding of disease processes is vital to their management and prevention. Through this subject, students will develop and apply their knowledge of aetiology, pathogenesis, management and prevention of diseases and conditions affecting the dental and periodontal hard and soft tissues, and the orofacial complex. The subject will focus on periodontitis and dental caries, the common diseases caused by dental plaque bacteria, and pathology and therapeutics in dental practice. Students will learn about health and disease at a community, individual, cellular and molecular level, and the links between oral and systemic health. Students will learn how to make diagnostic and management decisions and will learn about effective prevention of oral diseases. Topics integrated within this subject include microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry, immunology, pathology, therapeutics and clinical practice that are relevant to understanding oral and general health and disease. Students will engage in a variety of learning activities including lectures, online learning modules and clinical case discussions. |
| Professional Practice 1 · 18.75 pts |
This subject supports students as they begin to develop their professional identity as dental practitioners through the development of their personal values, attitudes, and behaviours. This subject will focus on social responsibility and professionalism, communication and leadership, critical thinking, and health promotion. Topics integrated within this subject include cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Islander people and communities, digital health, sustainability, ethical practice, and person-centred care. Students will develop skills in critical reflection and evidence-based dentistry as they examine the impact of oral health and disease on individuals, communities, and the environment. |
| Structure and Function in Dentistry · 18.75 pts |
This subject facilitates learning of head and neck anatomy. Topics include the development of tissues and structures from embryonic stages through to completion of growth, and the functional aspects of anatomy such as occlusion. Learning is supported by a range of medical imaging modalities, including microscopic features and 3D technologies. The development and morphology of permanent and primary teeth are studied, along with the relationship between structure and function. Basic neuroscience knowledge required to support the practice of dentistry is also covered. |
Second year
| Accordion | |
|---|---|
| Dental Practice 2 · 43.75 pts |
This subject aims to cultivate a comprehensive grasp and practical application of dental care principles, integrating theoretical knowledge with hands-on clinical skills. Drawing from core areas including conservative dentistry, periodontics, removable prosthodontics and general practice, students engage in both pre-clinical simulation and supervised clinical experiences. The curriculum blends theory with application to enable students to develop a sound understanding of dental procedures and patient care. Key components: Preclinical simulation: Students refine skills in conservative dentistry and removable prosthodontics through simulated scenarios. Emphasizing selective caries removal and minimal intervention, students learn how to prepare and restore primary and permanent teeth. Clinical experiences: Under supervision, students apply knowledge in real-world settings, focusing on general practice, periodontics and removable prosthodontics. They conduct comprehensive examinations, develop treatment plans, and execute procedures while prioritising disease prevention and infection prevention and control measures. Theory: Essential topics cover treatment planning and patient care management including communication, consent and pain management. Students explore periodontal diseases, caries management, denture therapy and recognising medical emergencies in dental settings. |
| Professional Practice 2: Lifespan Care · 18.75 pts |
This subject will focus on the domains of social responsibility and professionalism, communication and leadership, and health promotion. Topics integrated within this subject include cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Islander Peoples and communities, digital health, and sustainability. Students will explore the influence of systemic health and disease on oral health, as well as the associated risks for oral disease. They will gain insights into the social determinants of health affecting patient care across the lifespan and learn to provide comprehensive care for diverse patient groups, including children, aging individuals, medically complex patients and those with special needs. Additionally, students will develop their knowledge and awareness, particularly concerning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations, to deliver culturally safe and equitable care. Students will participate in a variety of learning activities including lectures, online learning modules and seminars to enhance student understanding and application of course content. |
| Specialty preclinical dental practice · 25 pts |
In this subject, students will continue developing their knowledge and practical skills for person-centred clinical dental practice. Students will apply knowledge of disease processes, anatomy, dental materials, equipment and instrumentation, and techniques for the management of skeletal and dental occlusal discrepancies, diseases of the pulp, and diseases and pathologies of the orofacial complex and supporting structures. Students will also learn the theory and practice of fixed prosthodontics and oral surgery. Students will participate in a range of learning activities including lectures, online learning modules, seminars, and practical classes in a pre-clinical simulation environment. |
| Dental Research Project 1 · 12.5 pts |
This subject will introduce students to the principles of research and methodologies. Students will have the opportunity to develop a research proposal in an area of interest related to dental, oral, and craniofacial research. This subject will provide students with the practical knowledge required to plan a research project including the process and requirements of ethics approval and basic concepts for data analysis. This subject builds on the foundation level research methods knowledge and skills from their prior studies in DENT90142 Professional Practice 1. |
Third year
| Accordion | |
|---|---|
| Dental Practice 2 · 43.75 pts |
This subject covers general dental practice including treatment planning and clinical practice of integrated dental care encompassing complex periodontal treatment, endodontics, fixed and removable prosthodontics, paediatric dentistry and management of patients having extensive and/or complex treatment needs due to medical conditions, a severely compromised dental status and/or high caries risk. Students will engage in clinical practice at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne providing holistic, patient-centred oral health care, covering all aspects of oral health learnt to this point in the course. They will also have treatment planning sessions in groups, facilitated by a clinical supervisor. This subject should also be viewed as working in combination with other third year subjects as a means to provide total patient care. |
| Dental Research Project B · 12.5 pts |
This subject is a continuation of subject Dental Research Project A. Students continue their group research project which must be completed, including preparation of a manuscript suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal or equivalent, and delivery of a 15 minute group oral presentation at the end of year. |
| Oral Medicine, Surgery and Special Needs · 25 pts |
This subject comprises complementary didactic and clinical components providing students with necessary skills in the disciplines of oral medicine, oral surgery and special needs. Competency in the core aspects of the Medicine and Surgery in Dentistry subject is required. Student learning will include: the part of surgery that deals with the diagnosis and surgical and adjunctive treatment of disease, injuries and defects of the human jaws and associated structures; the oral health care of patients with chronic and medically related disorders; the oral health care of people with an intellectual disability, medical, physical or psychiatric conditions. |
| Principles of Dental Practice 2 · 18.75 pts |
This subject covers the principles of general dental practice including treatment planning and the practice of integrated dental care encompassing complex periodontal treatment, endodontics, fixed and removable prosthodontics, paediatric dentistry, orthodontics and management of patients having extensive and/or complex treatment needs due to medical conditions, a severely compromised dental status and/or high caries risk. This subject introduces students to more complex aspects of restorative dental treatment including the basic concepts and application of implant dentistry as part of a comprehensive treatment plan and overdentures. |
Fourth year
| Accordion | |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive Dental Practice · 100 pts |
This subject comprises clinical learning (general dentistry) in the Melbourne Dental Clinic (MDC), the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne, urban community health centres, specialist practice/hospital clinics and rural community health clinics. Students will engage in tasks that will demonstrate and further enhance their skills preparing them for the work environment in which they will participate and contribute to, on graduation as a dentist. This year-long subject is developed as a capstone experience with a practice based learning approach. The learning tasks will enhance students’ capacity to apply theoretical knowledge gained in previous years of the course to “real world” situations. Students will integrate graduate capabilities with clinical skills that are required to practice as an independent health care professional. They will also develop skills in teamwork and communication with the wider health sector. The clinical practice sessions, especially at the community health centres, will allow students to reflect on emotional and practical issues of transition from the university learning environment to the world of independent clinical practice. They also provide the opportunity to link students to future employers. The intended learning outcomes are designed to engender the development of graduate attributes. |