Doctor of Clinical Dentistry

  • N/A
    Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR
  • Duration

    3 years full-time
    (or part-time equiv.)
  • Start Dates

    February
  • Location

    Teaching Hospitals

What’s your speciality?

ÐÂÀË²ÊÆ± Dental School is ranked 3rd in Australia and 39th in the world*. Our leading-edge expertise gives our graduates a competitive edge in a flexible and rewarding profession. 

This 3-year degree provides specialist dental education through clinical training and research.

What will you do?

Our Doctor of Clinical Dentistry is a professional postgraduate training program, not a PhD. You will:

  • undertake clinical placements in metropolitan, rural, public and private health care settings
  • conduct evidence-based research
  • propose, present and submit a dissertation
  • advance your knowledge and technical skills in a specialisation of your choice.

We offer the following specialist training areas: 

  • Endodontics
  • Orthodontics
  • Periodontics
  • Prosthodontics
  • Special Needs Dentistry.

Where could it take you?

You’ll graduate ready to change lives on your chosen dentistry path. You’ll be eligible for specialty registration in Australia provided you’ve fulfilled all the qualifications and strict conditions outlined by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

Note: Before applying, make sure this degree allows you to register in the country where you intend to work.

*QS World University Rankings 2024

Important notes:

  • This degree is only available in blended mode and on-campus attendance is required.  if you are a continuing student in the degree and are unable to attend campus, please contact your program coordinator for program advice.
  • All commencing Doctor of Clinical Dentistry students need to be present on site in January. The individual discipline coordinator will advise of the specific start date in January.
  • Application closing date is 30 April in the year prior to when study commences. Applications may still be considered after this date, where quotas allow for the capacity. 

  • Ranked 39 globally for dentistry^
  • Six specialist training areas
  • Hands-on clinical placements in a variety of settings

^QS World University Ranking by Subject, 2024

Thinking of studying soon?

Study at the new ÐÂÀË²ÊÆ± University in 2026

The University of ÐÂÀË²ÊÆ± and the University of South Australia are combining their strengths to create a new university for the future, ÐÂÀË²ÊÆ± University, opening in January 2026.
From 4 August 2025, the University of ÐÂÀË²ÊÆ± and University of South Australia will no longer be acccepting applications for new students.
Apply now to .

Entry Requirements

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions information for this program.
I am a:

Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.

Domestic applicants

Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February
Additional Entry Requirements
Inherent requirements / All applicants must: * complete ; * provide a short description of research interests and aptitudes; * provide evidence of professional qualifications; * provide details of employment history; * provide 2 professional referees; * provide a full CV including work history and publications. Students applying for the following specialisations must complete an interview: Periodontics, Endodontics, Special Needs and Prosthodontic. Students applying for the specialisation in Orthodontics must complete a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI, in person) and manual dexterity assessments. Strict quotas apply. Please note that application closing dates are 30 April for the year prior to when study commences.
Selection Criteria
Graduate entry

Higher Education Study A completed Bachelor of Dental Surgery or equivalent or higher.

Applicants must have:
- at least two years of general practice AND an Honours (research training) degree; OR
- successful completion of the Primary Examinations of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons; OR
- successful completion of the Primary Examinations of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons (UK).


Fees and Scholarships

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
I am a:

Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Australian Full-fee place: $57,500

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

FEE-HELP
This is an Australian full-fee program. As a domestic student you may be eligible to:

  • receive a zero interest government assistance package to cover your course fees and
  • use over $100,000 in HELP assistance over your lifetime
Check your eligibility today at

Scholarships

Scholarships are not only for high achievers—they are also available to provide students with an equal opportunity to study at university, no matter where they live or what their financial situation might be.

Scholarships are available to both new and continuing students. We encourage students to apply for any scholarships for which they may be eligible.

To browse scholarships offered by the University, visit:

To explore scholarships offered by organisations external to the University, visit: External Scholarships

Careers

Career Readiness

The Doctor of Clinical Dentistry degree may permit specialty registration in Australia, provided other qualifications and strict conditions are fulfilled. Furthermore, candidates should ensure that the Doctor of Clinical Dentistry degree from the University of ÐÂÀË²ÊÆ± is registrable in the country in which they intend to work.

The University of ÐÂÀË²ÊÆ± Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Graduate Attributes

The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of ÐÂÀË²ÊÆ± Graduate Attributes.
  1. Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
  2. Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
  3. Teamwork and communication skills
  4. Professionalism and leadership readiness
  5. Intercultural and ethical competency
  6. Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
  7. Digital capabilities
  8. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Industry Placement

Throughout the program, students will work in the clinical area as members of a health care team. Clinical placements will be undertaken at public and private health care facilities.
Students undertaking clinical placements in the dentistry program are required to obtain the following clearances:

  • AHPRA registration
  • criminal history clearance
  • immunisation
  • prescribed communicable infections screening
  • tuberculosis screening

For further information, visit:

Professional Accreditation

The Doctor of Clinical Dentistry specialisations are all accredited by the Australian Dental Council.

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Oral Pathologist;  Orthodontist;  Periodontist;  Prosthodontist;  Endodontist;  Special Needs Dentist;  Specialist Dental Practitioner;  Dentist

Degree Structure

The Doctor of Clinical Dentistry is a combined clinical training and research program normally taken over three years (minimum three years; maximum four years).

Academic Program Rules

The is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Areas of Specialisation

There are 5 areas of specialist training offered by the School of Dentistry. Specialist training areas include:

  • Endodontics
  • Orthodontics
  • Periodontics
  • Prosthodontics
  • Special Needs Dentistry

Example Study Plan

To qualify for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Dentistry the student must complete satisfactorily a program of study consisting of the following requirements with a combined total of not less than 72 units.

Core Courses

DENT 7200 Research Methods, Experimental Design & Ethics
DENT 7280 Doctor of Clinical Dentistry Research A

Specialisation
Students must also complete courses in their specialisation or major area of study. The following specialisations are offered:
Endodontics
Orthodontics
Periodontics
Prosthodontics
Special Needs Dentistry.

Research Dissertation
Students complete a research dissertation of not longer than 40,000 words, and must allow for undertaking the research and preparing the dissertation as follows:
Year 1
DENT 7200 Research Methods, Experimental Design & Ethics
DENT 7280 Doctor of Clinical Dentistry Research A
Years 2 and 3
Equivalent of 3 units embedded in each of the Specialist Clinical Courses.
 
Indicative study plan for Endodontics
Year 1 DENT 7212A Specialist Clinical Endodontics I Part 1