Oral Health Therapy

Outline

Oral health therapists are experts in diagnosing, treating and preventing oral disease in patients of all ages. They are registered independent dental practitioners, skilled in various dental treatments, including deciduous tooth removals, some fillings and periodontal therapy. Oral health therapists promote oral health, encourage healthy oral hygiene behaviours and prevent oral disease.

In this course, you’ll learn how to communicate with a diverse group of patients, develop public health initiatives, change behaviours and manage oral and dental diseases.

Throughout your studies, you’ll complete various placements, collaborating with dentists and other healthcare professionals to address the oral health needs of individual patients.

Upon graduating, you’ll have the knowledge, practical skills and confidence required to commence your career as an oral health therapist.

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the inherent requirements before applying.

What jobs can the Oral Health Therapy course lead to?

Careers

Oral health therapist
Oral health researcher
Oral health educator

Industries

Dental practice
Hospital
Government and community health
Tertiary education
Aged care and residential care

What you'll learn

identify oral disease and synthesise information to develop appropriate preventive and treatment plans to support the oral health needs of individuals, including special care
apply problem-solving, critical thinking and decision-making skills in the management of oral disease in individuals and the community, utilising contemporary technologies relevant to dental practice in a responsible and effective manner
identify oral disease and synthesise information to develop appropriate preventive and treatment plans to support the oral health needs of individuals, including special care
provide appropriate patient care and oral health education by applying evidence-based clinical principles and behaviour management techniques, and apply contemporary technologies relevant to dental practice in a responsible and effective manner
communicate effectively with patients, key stake holders and other health professionals
utilise lifelong learning skills promoting ongoing personal and professional development to offer the best possible care to individuals and the community
promote oral health and general health of individuals and the community by working collaboratively and considering cultural differences
demonstrate cultural awareness and promote equal access to preventive oral health care for the community
practice in a professional and ethical manner as part of the dental team and critically reflect on care provided

Why study Oral Health Therapy

World-ranked, global university

Curtin is ranked in the top 1% of universities in the world, by the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).

Professional recognition

Graduates are eligible for professional recognition by the Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists Association.

Accredited course

This course is accredited by the Australian Dental Council and the Dental Board of Australia.

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the Australian Dental Council and the Dental Board of Australia.

Graduates are eligible for professional recognition by the Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists Association.

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

Select an option that best suits you:

You’re considered a high school leaver if you:

Completed year 12 in Australia or overseas in the past two years, or
Completed TAFE or VET studies in the past two years.

ATAR pathway

Minimum ATAR 80
This course has a minimum ATAR of 80
Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)
Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

Subjects you must have studied in high school to be eligible for entry into a course.

There are no essential WACE subjects for this course.
Desirable WACE subjects
Desirable WACE subjects

High school subjects that aren’t essential for entry into the course, but provide a good foundation.

Human Biology ATAR or Biology ATAR

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

StepUp Entry

Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.

Alternative pathways

Indigenous applicant
If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant who hasn’t met Curtin’s minimum admissions criteria, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies offers bridging courses that are tailored to help you gain entry into this course.
STAT entry
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

The Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is a national test for those who don't meet university admission criteria. STAT can be used to meet entry criteria for some courses, or as a way to satisfy Curtin’s English proficiency requirements.

STAT elements considered are WE and either V or Q.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

Speaking

Reading

Listening

Overall band score

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

How others gained admission

View the ATAR breakdown to see the low, median and high ATAR scores of students who started studying this course recently.

To see the other pathways students have taken, see the pathway breakdown.

Application Requirements

If you’re looking to apply for our Bachelor of Science (Oral Health Therapy), please refer to our admission requirements before completing your application.

Things to know before you apply

Selection is based on academic performance.
As in most dentally related courses contact hours are high and additional clinical hours are required during inter-semester breaks.
Curtin requires you to be screened for and vaccinated against, a number of communicable diseases before commencing fieldwork. There is an onus on individual students to be aware of their immunity or carrier status in relation to communicable diseases. Depending on the status of any communicable disease there is the possibility that you may not be able to complete the clinical placement requirements of the course. Students who are carriers of blood-borne viruses are not permitted to perform some procedures on patients. Serological testing must, therefore, be completed prior to or during the first semester of study in the course and the results communicated to the area Administrative Assistant.
Students are required to practice techniques on one another before being permitted to move into patient care.
You must complete a Senior First Aid Certificate course before you proceed to your second semester.
There is some travel involved with different aspects of the program delivered on the Perth campus, at the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia (Nedlands) and at Dental Health Services (Mt Henry).

You can read more about the requirements by downloading the Inherent Requirements PDF.

Non-registrable overseas dentists

A maximum of 2 non-registrable overseas dentists whose qualifications entitle them to entry to Curtin will be considered for the Bachelor of Science (Oral Health Therapy) intake. Non-registrable overseas dentists may wish to consider sitting the current examination for registration as a practising dentist or applying for admission to the School of Dentistry at UWA.

You’re considered someone with work and life experience if:

You have left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.

How we define ‘experience’
‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.

Pathways

STAT entry
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

The Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is a national test for those who don't meet university admission criteria. STAT can be used to meet entry criteria for some courses, or as a way to satisfy Curtin’s English proficiency requirements.

STAT elements considered are WE and either V or Q.

ATAR pathway

Minimum ATAR 80
This course has a minimum ATAR of 80
Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)
Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

Subjects you must have studied in high school to be eligible for entry into a course.

There are no essential WACE subjects for this course.
Desirable WACE subjects
Desirable WACE subjects

High school subjects that aren’t essential for entry into the course, but provide a good foundation.

Human Biology ATAR or Biology ATAR

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

Speaking

Reading

Listening

Overall band score

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Application Requirements

If you’re looking to apply for our Bachelor of Science (Oral Health Therapy), please refer to our admission requirements before completing your application.

Things to know before you apply

Selection is based on academic performance.
As in most dentally related courses contact hours are high and additional clinical hours are required during inter-semester breaks.
Curtin requires you to be screened for and vaccinated against, a number of communicable diseases before commencing fieldwork. There is an onus on individual students to be aware of their immunity or carrier status in relation to communicable diseases. Depending on the status of any communicable disease there is the possibility that you may not be able to complete the clinical placement requirements of the course. Students who are carriers of blood-borne viruses are not permitted to perform some procedures on patients. Serological testing must, therefore, be completed prior to or during the first semester of study in the course and the results communicated to the area Administrative Assistant.
Students are required to practice techniques on one another before being permitted to move into patient care.
You must complete a Senior First Aid Certificate course before you proceed to your second semester.
There is some travel involved with different aspects of the program delivered on the Perth campus, at the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia (Nedlands) and at Dental Health Services (Mt Henry).

You can read more about the requirements by downloading the Inherent Requirements PDF.

Non-registrable overseas dentists

You’re considered someone who studied at TAFE or have done an apprenticeship if:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.

Pathways

TAFE entry
- AQF Diploma; or
- AQF Advanced Diploma

STAT entry
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

The Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is a national test for those who don't meet university admission criteria. STAT can be used to meet entry criteria for some courses, or as a way to satisfy Curtin’s English proficiency requirements.

STAT elements considered are WE and either V or Q.

ATAR pathway

Minimum ATAR 80
This course has a minimum ATAR of 80
Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)
Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

Subjects you must have studied in high school to be eligible for entry into a course.

There are no essential WACE subjects for this course.
Desirable WACE subjects
Desirable WACE subjects

High school subjects that aren’t essential for entry into the course, but provide a good foundation.

Human Biology ATAR or Biology ATAR

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

Speaking

Reading

Listening

Overall band score

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Application Requirements

If you’re looking to apply for our Bachelor of Science (Oral Health Therapy), please refer to our admission requirements before completing your application.

Things to know before you apply

Selection is based on academic performance.
As in most dentally related courses contact hours are high and additional clinical hours are required during inter-semester breaks.
Curtin requires you to be screened for and vaccinated against, a number of communicable diseases before commencing fieldwork. There is an onus on individual students to be aware of their immunity or carrier status in relation to communicable diseases. Depending on the status of any communicable disease there is the possibility that you may not be able to complete the clinical placement requirements of the course. Students who are carriers of blood-borne viruses are not permitted to perform some procedures on patients. Serological testing must, therefore, be completed prior to or during the first semester of study in the course and the results communicated to the area Administrative Assistant.
Students are required to practice techniques on one another before being permitted to move into patient care.
You must complete a Senior First Aid Certificate course before you proceed to your second semester.
There is some travel involved with different aspects of the program delivered on the Perth campus, at the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia (Nedlands) and at Dental Health Services (Mt Henry).

You can read more about the requirements by downloading the Inherent Requirements PDF.

Non-registrable overseas dentists

You’re considered someone who has recently left university if:

Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This may include applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It may also include applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

Curtin course switcher criteria

To switch into this course, you need to have:

Completed a minimum of 100 credits.
A weighted average of 70% or higher in the four most recent units studied.
An academic status of 'Good Standing'.

Higher education course switcher criteria

Switching into this course from another higher education course provider is only available in Semester one.

A minimum ATAR/ Selection Rank of 80 is required

Note: Selection Ranks are assessed based on your tertiary studies

ATAR pathway

Minimum ATAR 80
This course has a minimum ATAR of 80
Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)
Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

Subjects you must have studied in high school to be eligible for entry into a course.

There are no essential WACE subjects for this course.
Desirable WACE subjects
Desirable WACE subjects

High school subjects that aren’t essential for entry into the course, but provide a good foundation.

Human Biology ATAR or Biology ATAR

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

Speaking

Reading

Listening

Overall band score

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Application Requirements

If you’re looking to apply for our Bachelor of Science (Oral Health Therapy), please refer to our admission requirements before completing your application.

Things to know before you apply

Selection is based on academic performance.
As in most dentally related courses contact hours are high and additional clinical hours are required during inter-semester breaks.
Curtin requires you to be screened for and vaccinated against, a number of communicable diseases before commencing fieldwork. There is an onus on individual students to be aware of their immunity or carrier status in relation to communicable diseases. Depending on the status of any communicable disease there is the possibility that you may not be able to complete the clinical placement requirements of the course. Students who are carriers of blood-borne viruses are not permitted to perform some procedures on patients. Serological testing must, therefore, be completed prior to or during the first semester of study in the course and the results communicated to the area Administrative Assistant.
Students are required to practice techniques on one another before being permitted to move into patient care.
You must complete a Senior First Aid Certificate course before you proceed to your second semester.
There is some travel involved with different aspects of the program delivered on the Perth campus, at the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia (Nedlands) and at Dental Health Services (Mt Henry).

You can read more about the requirements by downloading the Inherent Requirements PDF.

Non-registrable overseas dentists

Unsure what option suits you?

We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of university admission. Choose the support you need from the options below.

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Application Requirements

If you’re looking to apply for our Bachelor of Science (Oral Health Therapy), please refer to our admission requirements before completing your application.

Things to know before you apply

Selection is based on academic performance.
As in most dentally related courses contact hours are high and additional clinical hours are required during inter-semester breaks.
Curtin requires you to be screened for and vaccinated against, a number of communicable diseases before commencing fieldwork. There is an onus on individual students to be aware of their immunity or carrier status in relation to communicable diseases. Depending on the status of any communicable disease there is the possibility that you may not be able to complete the clinical placement requirements of the course. Students who are carriers of blood-borne viruses are not permitted to perform some procedures on patients. Serological testing must, therefore, be completed prior to or during the first semester of study in the course and the results communicated to the area Administrative Assistant.
Students are required to practice techniques on one another before being permitted to move into patient care.
You must complete a Senior First Aid Certificate course before you proceed to your second semester.
There is some travel involved with different aspects of the program delivered on the Perth campus, at the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia (Nedlands) and at Dental Health Services (Mt Henry).

You can read more about the requirements by downloading the Inherent Requirements PDF.

Non-registrable overseas dentists

Other requirements and notes for this course

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the Inherent requirements | Study (curtin.edu.au) before applying. Reasonable adjustments can be made for students with disability.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Applicants should refer to the Curtin website or Curtin Handbook for more information on specific admission requirements, including Inherent Requirements for Oral Health Therapy: https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/application-requirements/oral-therapy/

Applicants for this course should refer to the admission criteria on the Curtin website or Curtin Handbook for information regarding Inherent Requirements: https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/application-requirements/oral-therapy/

Applicants for this course should refer to the Clinical Health Sciences and Police Clearance Section of the Faculty of Health Sciences website.

• Curtin requires you to be screened for, and vaccinated against, several communicable diseases before commencing fieldwork. There is an onus on individual students to be aware of their immunity or carrier status in relation to communicable diseases. Depending on the status of any communicable disease there is the possibility that you may not be able to complete the clinical placement requirements of the course. Students who are carriers of blood-borne viruses are not permitted to perform some procedures on patients http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/cda-cdna-bloodborne.htm Serological testing must therefore be completed prior to or during the first semester of study in the course and the results communicated to the area.

Successful completion of a Senior First Aid Certificate is required before students proceed to second year, second semester studies.

Additional clinical hours are required during inter-semester breaks. Practical sessions are undertaken in a variety of settings including program's clinic, OHCWA, community clinics and private dental practices.

Communicable diseases:
There is an onus on individual students to be aware of their immunity or carrier status in relation to communicable diseases. Depending on the status of any communicable disease there is the possibility that you may not be able to complete the clinical placement requirements of the course. Students who are carriers of blood-borne viruses are not permitted to perform some procedures on patients. Serological testing must therefore be completed prior to or during the first semester of study in the course and the results communicated to the course Administrative Assistant.

Ranking and Selection Process

1. Applicants will be ranked and selected based on published entry requirements and entire academic record.

2. Applicants must provide all required documents and be assessed as eligible to be included in the ranking for an offer.

3. Meeting the minimum entry requirements and course specific prerequisites, does not guarantee selection.

4. In the event the course reaches capacity the University reserves the right not to proceed with subsequent offer rounds.

Fees and charges

Australian and New Zealand student indicative fees

Fees are indicative first year only and are subject to passage of legislation.

*The indicative first-year fee is calculated on 200 credit points, which is the typical full-time study load per year, however some courses require additional study to be completed, in which case the fee will be higher than that shown.

This fee is a guide only. It may vary depending on the units you choose and does not include incidental fees (such as lab coats or art supplies) or the cost of your textbooks – visit other fees and charges for more information. For more information on fees and to determine your eligibility for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP, please visit fee basics or the Study Assist website

To be eligible for the Commonwealth supported fee:

Australian citizens must complete some of their course of study while residing in Australia.
Australian permanent residents or New Zealand citizens must be residing in Australia for the entire course.

For further information on eligibility please refer to the Australian Government Study Assist website.

If you’re not an Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen, please see information for international students.

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

Location

For start dates, please view the academic calendar.

Curtin Perth

2025

Semester 1

On campus

2026

Semester 1

On campus

All endeavours are made to ensure location information for courses is up to date but please note they are subject to change.

The University reserves the right to withdraw any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program.

How to apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

Curtin Perth

Please note that each campus has different application deadlines. View our application deadlines page for further information.

Apply now

Frequently asked questions

Acceptance Due Date for International Students

There are 3 different categories of acceptance due dates:

For countries listed here (Country List), acceptance due date is 7 weeks before course start date, as stated on your Offer Letter. If you have a GTE Finance or GTE Interview condition on your offer, you must submit the GTE documentation 2 weeks before the acceptance closing date.
For all other countries which are not listed in the list, the acceptance due date is 3 weeks before the course start date.
If you are currently in Australia on a valid visa, the acceptance closing date is 1 week before the course start date.

Curtin has a duty of care to ensure all international students have sufficient time to have their student visa issued and to arrive in Perth in time for the Orientation Week and the start of classes. The timeframes stipulated above allows Curtin to process your completed documents and for the Department of Home Affairs to issue your student visa in time. For more information on visa processing times, please refer to the Visa Processing Times on the Department of Home Affairs website.

For international application deadlines, please refer to: Key dates and university application deadlines | Curtin University

Search our FAQs

The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

View courses information disclaimer.
Curtin course code: B-ORALHT
CRICOS code: 074565F
Last updated on: 3 December 2024

Oral Health Therapy

Bachelor degree

Select your preferred campus:

2025

Semester 1

2026

Semester 1

Outline

Outline

What jobs can the Oral Health Therapy course lead to?

What you'll learn

Why study Oral Health Therapy

World-ranked, global university

Professional recognition

Accredited course

Get the latest Curtin updates

Professional recognition

Admission criteria

Select an option that best suits you:

You’re considered a high school leaver if you:

ATAR pathway

Alternative pathways

English requirements

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Find your pathway to Curtin

How others gained admission

Application Requirements

You’re considered someone with work and life experience if:

Pathways

ATAR pathway

English requirements

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Find your pathway to Curtin

Application Requirements

You’re considered someone who studied at TAFE or have done an apprenticeship if:

Pathways

ATAR pathway

English requirements

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Find your pathway to Curtin

Application Requirements

You’re considered someone who has recently left university if:

Curtin course switcher criteria

Higher education course switcher criteria

ATAR pathway

English requirements

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Find your pathway to Curtin

Application Requirements

Unsure what option suits you?

FAQs

Ask a question

Call us

Visit us

Find your pathway to Curtin

Application Requirements

Other requirements and notes for this course

Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

Fees and charges

Australian and New Zealand student indicative fees

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

Location

2025

Semester 1

2026

Semester 1

How to apply

Frequently asked questions

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FAQs

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