Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (ME-DCD)
Masters (Extended)Year: 2025 Delivered: On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Award title | Doctor of Clinical Dentistry |
|---|---|
| Year & campus | 2025 — Parkville |
| CRICOS code | 076196K |
| Fees information | Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date |
| Study level & type | Graduate Coursework |
| AQF level | 9 |
| Credit points | 300 credit points |
| Duration | 36 months full-time |
The Doctor of Clinical Dentistry at The University of Melbourne is offered in seven specialist fields: Endodontics, Oral Medicine, Orthodontics, Paediatric Dentistry, Periodontics and Prosthodontics, which has been accredited by the Australian Dental Council for graduates to register with AHPRA and practice in Australian and New Zealand as a Specialist Dentist within one of these specialties. The degree was first offered and conferred in 2004.
The Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (DCD) degree at the University of Melbourne has several purposes. The degree is designed to provide students with the opportunity to advance their professional knowledge and skills in one of the specialist areas to an expert level, and to engage with new and emerging relevant fields of study. The course is designed to facilitate the advanced development of clinical, academic and research skills necessary for a graduate to further a career in specialty practice, academia or research.
The program is a three-year full time course that provides advanced study and training in all areas of the chosen specialty. Graduates will be prepared for specialty practice, hospital practice or teaching and research in a dental school. Clinical experience is provided currently at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and its associated clinics under the instruction of staff of the University of Melbourne. Practice also occurs at the new Melbourne Dental Clinic situated at 723 Swanston St, Carlton.
Links to further information
http://www.dent.unimelb.edu.au/study/courses/doctor-of-clinical-dentistry/overview
Entry requirements
1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
- An undergraduate degree in Dentistry or equivalent degree that qualifies the applicant to register and practice as a Dentist (in their country of origin or residence); and
- Minimum two years of documented relevant clinical work experience (including nomination of three referees) and demonstrated proof of registration; and
- Personal statement detailing desire to undertake the program; and
- One or more of a test, interview, workshop, or presentation, for the stream to which entry is sought.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
- Prior academic performance, including additional education or prizes; and
- Professional experience, including additional education or prizes ; and
- The personal statement; and
- One or more of a test, interview, workshop, or presentation, for the stream to which entry is sought; and
- The referee reports.
3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.
4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by the Academic Board, performance band 7 is required in IELTS.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
Students must comply with Fitness to Practice Rules, which are accessible from Schedule 1 of the Student Fitness to Practice Policy (MPF1345).
For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for the DOCTOR OF CLINICAL DENTISTRY are articulated in the Course Description, Course Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/
The Melbourne Dental School policy outlining requirements in relation to student disability for entry to and progression within the DOCTOR OF CLINICAL DENTISTRY are outlined below.
Melbourne Dental School Policy in Relation to Students with Disabilities
The curriculum of the DOCTOR OF CLINICAL DENTISTRY has been developed using graduate attribute statements in six domains (professionalism, scientific knowledge, patient care, dental profession, systems of health care and the society). Students entering the Melbourne DOCTOR OF CLINICAL DENTISTRY must therefore have the aptitude to achieve these attributes during the course.
Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, insight into the effects of their own behaviour, and motivation are all personal qualities that will be assessed during the admissions and education processes.
The Melbourne Dental School welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and Faculty policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study. Appropriate adjustments will be made to enhance the participation of students with a disability in the dental course. A prospective student with a disability is advised to discuss with the staff in the student service centres issues related to his or her ability to successfully meet all the course requirements.
All students of the DOCTOR OF CLINICAL DENTISTRY must possess the intellectual, ethical, physical and emotional capabilities required to participate in the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence at graduation required by the faculty and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation agency.
A student with a disability may be asked to provide independent medical or other clinical assessments of the disability and its possible impact on the ability of the student to successfully complete the course, before being accepted into the course. This statement would be treated in confidence with only those on the admissions committee and the Student Equity and Disability Support having access to the document.
Deliberate misinformation about the student’s ability to successfully complete the course will be regarded as unprofessional practice and treated as such.
While the Melbourne Dental School will make reasonable adjustments to minimise the impact of a disability, all students must be able to participate in the program in an independent manner. It is not reasonable for students to use an intermediary as an adjustment to compensate for a disability impacting on any of the five categories. In the clinical environment there is a primary duty of care to the patients and the needs of students cannot compromise this. It is expected that all students will be able to participate fully in all classroom based learning activities and to successfully fulfil the self-study requirements of the course. The presence of a disability will not automatically entitle the student to preferential treatment in clinical place allocation.
A candidate for the Melbourne DOCTOR OF CLINICAL DENTISTRY must have abilities and skills in the following five categories:
- observation;
- communication;
- motor;
- conceptual, integrative, and quantitative;
- behavioural and social.
I. Observation
Practical Classes
The student must be able to observe mandatory demonstrations and experiments in the designated subjects.
Clinical Work
The student must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand. Observation necessitates the functional use of the senses of vision, hearing and somatic sensation. It is enhanced by the functional use of the sense of smell.
II. Communication
Practical Classes
The student must be able to hear and comprehend instructions in laboratories and practical sessions and be able to clearly and independently communicate knowledge and application of the principles and practices of the subject during assessment tasks.
Clinical Work
A student must be able to hear, to speak, and to observe patients in order to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity, and posture and perceive nonverbal communications. A student must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients in both oral and written modalities. The student must also be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in both oral and written modes with all members of the health care team, including using telephones and computers.
III. Motor
Practical Classes
A student must be able to undertake the motor requirements for any mandatory practical sessions. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.
Clinical Work
Students should have good motor function to elicit information from patients by physical examination; for example palpation, percussion, and other diagnostic manoeuvres. Students should possess sufficient manual dexterity to be able to perform procedures required as a dental practitioner. The student should be able to execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general dental care and emergency treatment to patients. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, hand eye coordination and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.
IV. Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities
Practical Classes
The student is expected to have the ability to develop problem-solving skills and demonstrate this ability in practical sessions. These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving requires all of these intellectual abilities.
Clinical Work
The student is expected to have the ability to develop problem-solving skills and demonstrate the ability to establish oral health care plans and priorities. These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving requires all of these intellectual abilities.
V. Behavioural and Social Attributes
Practical Classes
A student must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgement, the prompt completion of all required tasks.
Clinical Work
A student must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgement, the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients, and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients and colleagues.
It is a requirement of the course that students will be expected to physically examine their peers (of all genders) in classroom settings and patients (of all genders) in clinics.
Intended learning outcomes
Knowledge
- Advanced knowledge of the basic biological, medical, technical and clinical sciences in order to recognise the difference between normal and pathological conditions relevant to specialist clinical dental practice
- Specialist knowledge of the moral and ethical responsibilities involved in the provision of care to individual patients, populations and communities
Skills
- Ability to design, conduct and report original research
- Capacity to manage competing demands on time, including self-directed project work
- Ability to evaluate and synthesize research and professional literature
Application of knowledge and skills
- Engage with new and emerging fields of study
- Superior capacity to articulate knowledge and understanding in oral and written presentations
- Profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship
- Capacity to value and participate in projects which require team-work
Generic skills
- work effectively as a member of a team
- have skills in interpersonal understanding, problem-solving, decision making, program design and implementation, evaluation and advocacy
- demonstrate capacity and motivation for continuing independent learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life
- demonstrate professional skills and attitudes
- design and conduct scientific investigations
- exhibit professional responsibility
- critically appraise research evidence
- demonstrate the ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner
- apply effective, creative and innovation solutions, both independently and co-operatively, to current and future problems
- be proficient in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies
- have an awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities
- value diversity of opinion within health care
- value diversity in health beliefs, lifestyles, ethnic and cultural background
- demonstrate a non-judgemental approach to their interactions within the health system, with other health professionals
- ensure safe and effective care for people of diverse backgrounds
Graduate attributes
The competencies and qualities of the new DCD graduate have been grouped in the six domains of professionalism, scientific knowledge, patient care, dental profession, systems of health care, and the society. The different dimensions of patient-centred care are incorporated into these attributes in addition to those outlined by the Dental Board of Australia for each speciality outlined here: http://www.dentalboard.gov.au/Registration/Specialist-Registration/Specialist-competencies.aspx.
The goal of the dental specialist is to improve the oral health of their patients and the community through appropriate preventive and oral health care, including behavioural and educational components. This is often done in conjunction with the patients’ general dentist. A dental specialist has a knowledge, experience and clinical skill set that is at a higher level than that of the non-specialist. The specialist is often required to lead the team in the management of their patients’ oral health as it relates to their specialty area and integrates knowledge and experience with clinical competency to form a framework of comprehensive oral health care. Specialists, like general dentists, have a responsibility to advocate for the oral health of the population.
Professionalism:
On graduation DCD graduates will have developed:
- the ability to apply reflective practice skills and a recognition of their importance in health care
- empathy, compassion, honesty, integrity, resilience and lifelong curiosity, as well as the ability to demonstrate these and a recognition of their importance in health care
- a critically reflective approach to practise dentistry based on current evidence and experience
- self-awareness, the ability to recognise when clinical problems exceed their knowledge and skill, and a willingness to collaborate and to refer
- the ability to negotiate, give and receive appraisal and criticism constructively
- the ability to manage uncertainty
- the ability to identify, quantify and address their own learning needs
- the ability to apply effective time management and organisational skills
- the ability to maintain their own physical, emotional, social and spiritual health, and a recognition of the importance of professional support in this process
- a recognition of their own personal, spiritual, cultural or religious beliefs, and an awareness that these beliefs must not prevent the provision of adequate and appropriate care to the patient
- the ability to apply strategies of stress management to oneself, to patients and to the dental team as appropriate
- a thorough understanding of the ethical principles and legal responsibilities involved in the provision of dental care to individual patients
- skills to use contemporary information technology for documentation, including patient records, communication, management of information and applications related to health care
Scientific Knowledge:
On graduation DCD graduates will have developed an advanced level of:
- knowledge of the biological, medical, technical and clinical sciences in order to recognise the difference between normal and pathological conditions relevant to specialist clinical dental practice
- skills to analyse oral health as it relates to symptoms, signs and pathology
- skills required to prevent, diagnose and treat anomalies and illnesses of the teeth, mouth, jaws and associated structures
- knowledge of the management and interaction (pharmacological, physical, nutritional, behavioural and psychological) of important oral and medically-related conditions
- skills to provide treatment options based on the best available information and experience
- an understanding of pharmacology and therapeutics relevant to clinical dental practice and be familiar with pharmacology in general medicine
- scientific principles of sterilisation, disinfection and antisepsis and infection control
- knowledge of the hazards of ionising radiation and the effects on biological tissues, together with the regulations relating to use, including radiation protection and dose reduction
- knowledge of research methodology and its applications
- the ability to access new knowledge from available sources, to analyse and interpret it in a critical manner, and to apply it appropriately in the provision of oral health care
- skills required to contribute towards new knowledge
- ability to evaluate the validity of claims related to the risk-benefit ratio of products and techniques
- knowledge of the moral and ethical responsibilities involved in the provision of care to individual patients, to populations and communities
- an understanding of the basic principles of practice administration, financial and personnel management relevant to a dental practice
Patient care:
On graduation, DCD graduates will have developed a level of clinical ability at an advanced level so that they have:
- the ability to communicate with patients from diverse backgrounds, including the ability to listen to, respond to, and provide appropriate information to patients
- respect for patients' values and their expressed needs
- the ability to identify patient expectations, desires and attitudes during treatment planning and provision of specialist treatment
- skills to manage the potential impact of chronic illness and disability on the patient's oral health
- appropriate skills to obtain a thorough dental, medical and social history and perform an accurate oral examination
- the ability to integrate and interpret clinical findings and apply rigorous reasoning to arrive at an appropriate diagnosis or differential diagnosis
- the ability to formulate an evidence-based comprehensive treatment plan in collaboration with the patient, taking into consideration the best outcome for the patient
- the ability to perform appropriate dental procedures effectively and safely, with due regard for the patient's comfort including during emergency procedures
- the ability to predict, prevent and inform patient behaviour with respect to their oral health and provide patients with strategies to control behaviour affecting the maintenance of oral and general health
- skills to alleviate pain and provide appropriate treatment outcomes
Dental profession:
On graduation, DCD graduates will have developed:
- an understanding of the continuum of general and specialist dental education and the various roles, expertise and interaction of different dental and oral health practitioners
- the ability to apply the principles of ethics in the provision of health care and research
- the ability to be an active participant and leader in professional organisations, and an appreciation of the benefits of this participation
- the ability to provide effective peer review in order to assist colleagues to improve their clinical knowledge and patient care
- maturity and responsibility to maintain standards of specialist dental practice at the highest level throughout their professional career
- ability to understand and apply Commonwealth, State and Territory legislation relevant to practise as a dentist
- the philosophy of lifelong learning and accept that continuing professional development is required for professional growth and improved health care provision
Systems of health care:
On graduation, DCD graduates will have developed:
- knowledge of the roles, responsibilities and expertise of all health professionals, and how they work in teams to deliver health care
- a respect for the roles and expertise of other health care professionals and the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with them
- skills of team work and the ability to work effectively in an oral health care team, including the leader
- knowledge of the principles of efficient and equitable allocation and use of finite resources, especially in the public oral health care systems
- the ability to work effectively as a dental specialist within a quality and safety framework including the ability to recognise, respond to and learn from adverse events
The society
On graduation, DCD graduates will have developed:
- the ability to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work
- knowledge of the determinants of a 'healthy society' and the economic, political, psychological, social and cultural factors that contribute to the development and persistence of oral health and illness
- competency in oral health promotion including primary and secondary prevention
- an understanding of the principles of oral health literacy and a willingness and ability to contribute to the oral health education of the community
- knowledge of the ongoing oral health disparities of indigenous Australians including their history and cultural development
- knowledge of the burden of oral disease in different populations and geographic locations in Australia
- skills to identify the requirements of health care systems in a culturally diverse society
- the ability to deliberate on local, regional and national ramifications of health care issues
- the ability to respect community values, including an appreciation of a diversity of backgrounds and cultural values
- a commitment to contribute to the resolution of oral health inequities
- knowledge of the relationship between environmental issues and the oral health and general health of local communities and society
Course structure
300 points
- 75 points of course core subjects
- Students choose one specialisation, consisting of 225 points of core subjects
Subject options
Core Subjects
All students complete these subjects:
Year 1:
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| DENT90108 | Research Proposal | Year Long (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
Year 2:
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| DENT90109 | Research Project A | Year Long (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
Year 3:
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| DENT90110 | Research Project B | Year Long (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
Majors, minors & specialisations
| Name | Credit Points |
|---|---|
| Endodontics | 225 |
| Oral Medicine | 225 |
| Orthodontics | 225 |
| Paediatric Dentistry | 225 |
| Periodontics | 225 |
| Prosthodontics | 225 |
| Special Needs Dentistry | 225 |
Last updated: 4 April 2025