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Bachelor of Dental Surgery

About the BDS Program 

The five-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery Program at the University of Adelaide is the only professional dentistry program in South Australia. Students are involved with clinical procedures from the outset of the program, with an emphasis on the recognition and prevention of oral diseases.

The School of Dentistry aims towards presenting a program that is stimulating and enjoyable and one that develops skills and attitudes to continue learning after graduation; in other words to become life-long learners.

The curriculum enjoys a balance of problem-based, self-directed, traditional and hands-on learning approaches with early exposure of students to clinical dental practice. The curriculum provides students with a broad dental education that encourages continual professional development and produces graduates that are well-rounded, thinking and mature clinicians.

First Year

The first year of the program covers aspects of genetics and evolution, and structure and function of human tissues in the Human Biology stream. The Dental and Health Science stream includes dental terminology, form and function of dental and oral structures, preventive dentistry and behavioural science. Students gain experience in clinical and practical aspects of dentistry in the Dental Clinical Practice stream.

From day one, students are presented with realistic dental scenarios in the form of dental learning packages that use a problem-based approach. These packages require students to work in groups  to engage in self-directed learning and to integrate and apply knowledge from each of the three major streams.

A fourth stream, General Studies, provides experience in aspects of communication and learning, basic physics, chemistry, evidence-based dentistry, computing and the social context of dentistry. The units are presented in a variety of styles to provide the required background knowledge that supports the major streams.

Second Year

Second year includes an integrated study of the structure and function of the human body system using cases relevant to dental practice, and contextual study in gross anatomy of the head and neck region and neuro-anatomy. Students expand their knowledge and understanding of oral and dental structures by investigating topics in histology, embryology and biochemistry. The relationships between health, disease, dental practice and behavioural science are also explored. Students build on their basic clinical skills while acquiring a new range of technical skills before caring for patients within the Adelaide Dental Hospital. The Dental School places an emphasis on the comprehensive management of patients and oral diseases while adhering to principles of minimum intervention.

Third Year

The third year includes a key science stream, Diseases and Disorders of the Body, where students explore general and oral pathology, microbiology and immunology in the context of modern dental clinical practice. The Dental and Health Science stream covers the function of the masticatory system, general growth and development and aspects of orthodontics. Within the Dental Clinical Practice stream, students provide care for patients in periodontics, preventive conservative dentistry and removable dentures while establishing skills in comprehensive treatment planning.

Fourth and Fifth Year

In fourth and fifth years students engage in a considerable amount of clinical practice. This includes the acquisition of new skills and the integration of skills in providing comprehensive general dental care. Students gain knowledge and experience in disciplines such as oral diagnosis, preventive an  conservative dentistry, removable and fixed prosthodontics, periodontics, paedodontics, orthodontics and oral surgery. Electives are available for students in both dental (research and clinical) and non-dental topics and an opportunity is available for students to attend other schools or institutions during their final year.