Bachelor of Dental Surgery, University of Otago

THE JOB
The University of Otago's Bachelor of Dental Surgery is the only training programme for dentists in New Zealand.

The full-time Dunedin course encompasses one year of health sciences and then four years in the dentistry school. To be selected for the degree, first-year students need a B average or better in all the health science subjects, which are foundations of biochemistry, biology of cells, biology for health sciences, chemistry: molecular reactivity, an English course language, style and communication; introduction to physics, and foundations of epidemiology.

Each year there are around 500 applicants for the 54 dentistry positions. Prospective students also sit a Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admissions Test (UMAT), which is a multiple choice logic, reasoning and problem solving test. There are also two interviews.

In their first year of dentistry training, which is the second year of the degree, students practice in a clinic at the university and by the final year almost all of the course is clinical work.

Second-year students also cover physiology, anatomy, microbiology, chemistry, pre-clinical dentistry, oral biology, nutrition, and basic dental surgery.

Third-years study pathology, oral pathology, human diseases, pharmacology, general medicine and surgery, and dental subjects such as prevention and intervention, arch rehabilitation and restorative dentistry.

In the fourth year, students tackle arch rehabilitation, comprehensive restorative care, applied clinical work, paediatric dentistry, oral medicine and surgery and management of diseases.

As well as the emphasis on clinical work, fifth-year students cover community dentistry and health promotion, the needs of different cultures, oral surgery and medicine and a research project.

Assessment ranges from written papers and exams to oral, clinical and practical examinations.

Most graduates work as dentists in private practice but there are also specialties such as periodontics, orthodontics, public dental health, hospital work and academia.

Graduates qualify as members of the New Zealand Dental Association if they are registered with the Dental Council of NZ.

The first-year health science programme is open to those with NCEA qualifications such as 42 credits at Level 3 or higher. For information on other admission criteria, contact the university.

In July each year health science students can sit the UMAT test and by October they have to indicate they wish to apply for dentistry.

Undergraduate dentistry fees are $10,517. The first-year health sciences course is $5469.

THE STUDENT

Scott Waghorn, 23
Dentist
Keith Nelson and Associates dental practice
Glen Eden, Auckland
Graduated 2005

I always enjoyed studying the human body and anatomy so that was the main thing that attracted me to health sciences.

Dentistry appealed more to me rather than being a doctor as you can improve people's wellbeing, whether that be their ability to chew food or have a good smile, and you are able to meet and talk with people and help them.

The most important thing to get onto the course is to do the first-year health sciences and everybody wants to do very well.

So you have to forego the parties and that was definitely a sacrifice. Be prepared to work hard and sacrifice things in the first year as it all pays off.

Of all the health sciences, dentistry is the most practical.

You get a patient in the first year so the blend between the theory and practical is spot on.

The most important skill is to be caring.

THE EMPLOYER

Dr David Crum
Chief executive
New Zealand Dental Association

It requires a very high academic capability to get into the course, but it does deliver you a job where you are your own boss and where you can deal with people and science in combination.

Academically the Otago-trained dentists are the equal of any dentist in the world, but like any profession they need additional assistance for the transition to a practice.

We have established a graduate training programme for 30 first-years for monthly education meetings and hands-on courses. It's also an opportunity for them to talk about any problems.

There isn't a shortage of dentists in New Zealand, but the distribution of dentists is not ideal, with people preferring city jobs against rural positions. We are registering more overseas graduates than New Zealand graduates.

THE QUALIFICATION

Bachelor of Dental Surgery, University of Otago

Phone: 0800 808098
Earnings: $65,000 to $70,000