Dental

This two-year hands-on course will provide you with the opportunity to learn the skills you require to commence your career as a dental technician. To maximise your employment opportunities, you will complete specialised training in the use of computer-aided design (CAD) and learn about computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) processes. You will learn to design, manufacture, modify and repair prostheses and appliances, such as dentures, mouthguards, bridges and crowns.

A dental technician may work in a large dental laboratory or go into private practice. You will be trained in our purpose-built facilities, which have been designed to simulate the workplace environment.

Our teaching staff are all qualified dental technicians or dental prosthetists. Each student has their own workstation where you are able to use highly technical equipment to create dental appliances. Safety is always of paramount importance in the laboratory.

The course also includes important skills such as communication, first aid, infection control, work, health and safety processes (WHS), and business management skills, which are particularly important if you plan to go into private practice.

The Bachelor of Oral Health (Therapy and Hygiene) is a Charles Sturt University (CSU) degree offered at Holmesglen's Chadstone campus with third-year clinical training at Albury-Wodonga and Wagga Wagga.

This degree will give you the skills to work as an oral health therapist - also known as dental hygienist and dental therapist - diagnosing dental decay and gum diseases and working alongside dentists to provide oral health care and preventative dental practices among school children and the broader community.

The course has a strong focus on health science and its application in the development of clinical skills, with an evidence-based approach to learning.

You will undertake community placements and receive comprehensive clinic and simulation exposure, preparing you to work with other health disciplines as autonomous oral health practitioners.

In addition, the degree has a strong focus on the unique challenges of rural and remote oral health, in particular with vulnerable and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities.

The majority of clinical training and placement will occur at various CSU clinical sites (largely based around Albury-Wodonga and Wagga Wagga) in Year 3, which may include regional NSW Health oral health clinics.

Students studying at Holmesglen and Wagga Wagga will learn in state-of-the-art simulation clinics in which all clinical units are delivered. Our staff include dual-qualified oral health therapists currently practising in both the public and private health sector, to make sure you are receiving current, industry relevant education.

As a graduate of the course, you will contribute to combating the chronic shortage and increasing demand for oral health professionals Australia-wide, while also significantly impacting the health of our local communities.