Bachelor of Dental Hygiene
Program code
1613
Available at
Nathan
Gold Coast
Mount Gravatt
Logan
South Bank
Online
Offshore
Other
Duration
3 years full-time
Credit points
240
Indicative fee
$41,000.00* per year (more)
* 2024 indicative annual fee
Prerequisites
- NIL
Assumed knowledge
- English, English as an Additional Language, Literature or English and Literature Extension (Units 3 and 4, C)
- One of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematical Methods (Units 3 and 4, C)
About this program
This degree program is designed for someone who is looking for a clinical qualification with the ability to recognize dental diseases or abnormalities of the teeth, mouth and associated structures that require management and patient-centred oral health care that includes a range of activities that include oral health assessment, diagnosis, treatment, management and education for the prevention of oral diseases in patients of all ages.
Dental hygienists are educated in all aspects of dental hygiene practice through coursework and supervised clinical practice in an inter-professional dental clinic. Dental hygiene students will be learning and working alongside, dentists, dental technologists, dental prosthetists and dental specialists developing skills in communication and collaboration for patient management. Students will be provided with specific education and skills in public health and health promotion to provide appropriate preventive oral health education to individuals and communities.
The key advantage of dental hygiene education at Griffith University is the opportunity for hands-on skills training in specialty clinics in the disciplines Periodontology, Implantology and Orthodontics. Students will learn from dental specialists in the fields of:
- Periodontology
- Radiology and Radiography
- Orthodontics
- Special Needs
- Oral Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Public Health and Health Promotion
Dental hygiene students will work alongside a team of dental health practitioners with emphasis on the significant role and responsibilities of the dental hygienist in dental practice.
Attendance information
The Bachelor of Dental Hygiene is three-year full-time program that will be offered on-campus at the Gold Coast campus.
The School of Medicine and Dentistry delivers electronic assessment via ExamSoft's Examplify application. Students enrolled in this program are required to have access to a portable computer device (laptop or tablet) that can be taken on campus to complete examination and assessment activities. This device must meet the minimum system requirements for Examplify.
The School has a small number of loan devices that may be available to students who do not have access to a personal device. Students must apply for access to loan devices in the lead up to an examination or assessment. Please note the School cannot guarantee a loan device will be available for every applicant.
Managing study interruptions
Leave of absence
Students will require approval from the Dean, Dentistry or nominee to take a leave of absence. The period of leave will normally be one year.
Readmission
A student who has discontinued enrolment in a Dentistry program and who is not on an approved leave of absence is required to seek approval for readmission to the program from the Dean, Dentistry or nominee.
Readmission to a Dentistry program is not guaranteed and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the School of Medicine and Dentistry for further details.
Students who are returning to the program after an approved leave of absence or are being readmitted to the program or are required to repeat a non-clinical DOH-coded course will also be required to successfully complete Clinical Skills Competency requirements before continuing with their program.
Students who do not successfully complete these requirements will not be eligible to continue their program. Successful completion of these requirements will ensure students remain competent in their practical skills and are well prepared to continue with the program. Please refer to the Griffith University Inability to Complete Required Components of Professional Qualification Policy for further information.
If you are an International student on a student visa, you must ensure that you enrol in a way that will allow you to complete your enrolment within the expected program duration as stated on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
Work-integrated learning
The dental hygiene students will be exposed to a "real life" dental clinic from Year 1 to Year 3 where they will work within an oral health team in a fully functional dental facility. Students will observe and work mutually with professional dentists, hygienists, prosthetist, dentistry students and academics when providing dental care to patients in our intramural private practice clinic. The final year of the program provides work-integrated learning opportunities where students will observe and contribute to the management and provision of dental hygiene care in safe supervised dental practices. Total work placement (hours): 1046.
My career opportunities
Completing this degree program provides the education and skills required to apply for registration as a dental hygienist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). As a graduate of this degree, you will be qualified to work as a registered dental hygienist with employment opportunities in the public and private health sectors through government health departments and private dental clinics that include:
- General dental practice;
- Specialist dental practices;
- Community dental/oral health clinics.
Program accreditation
The Bachelor of Dental Hygiene is accredited by the Australian Dental Council (ADC).
Professional recognition
Graduates of the Bachelor of Dental Hygiene will be eligible to apply for registration with the Dental Board of Australia via the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) subject to meeting any additional requirements that may be stipulated by the Dental Board of Australia. As these requirements may change from time to time, students should contact AHPRA to confirm registration requirements.
Professional Practice requirements
There are placements associated with this program and before undertaking professional experience placements, all students in this program are required to have completed the following by the end of their first trimester of study:
- Vaccinations and Health Tests
- Licenses and Certificates
- Online Training
- Health Placement Requirements
Students should refer to the checklist of professional practice requirements for their Health discipline on the Health Placement Support Hub for full details of the requirements regarding professional placement to ensure that they meet eligibility for placement.
International students
An International student is one who is not:
- an Australian or New Zealand citizen or
- a Pacific Engagement visa holder or
- a person who has Australian permanent resident status.
Indicative annual tuition fee
The indicative annual tuition fee is calculated based on a standard full-time study load which is usually 80 credit points (two full-time trimesters).
The indicative annual tuition fee is based on current conditions and available data and should only be used as a guide. These fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change.
Tuition fees
- An International student pays tuition fees.
- Students are liable for tuition fees for the courses they are enrolled in as at the census date.
- The tuition fee for students who commence their program prior to 2014 is charged according to the approved program fee for the trimester in which the student commenced the program.
- The tuition fee for students who commence their program from 2014 onwards is charged according to the approved program fee for the trimester in which the student is enrolled.
Program fees for the Bachelor of Dental Hygiene (1613)
If the fee rate for your program is not displayed above, please contact Student Connect for assistance.
Changing programs
If an International student changes to a different program they will be subject to the approved program fee for the trimester in which they are enrolled.
Permanent resident status
If an undergraduate student obtains permanent resident status in Australia after commencing study in a program, and the student can provide evidence of permanent resident status prior to the census date (of the trimester in which they are enrolled), the student will be provided with a domestic fee-paying place.
The student may then apply for a Commonwealth supported place at the next admission period provided that the student satisfies the conditions for transfer from a domestic fee-paying place to a Commonwealth supported place as set out in the Undergraduate Programs Admission Policy.
If a postgraduate student obtains permanent resident status in Australia after commencing study in a program, and the student can provide evidence of permanent resident status prior to the census date (of the trimester in which they are enrolled), the student will automatically be considered for a Commonwealth supported place (subject to availability) or a domestic fee-paying place as applicable for the program.
If a research student obtains permanent resident status in Australia after commencing study in a program, and the student can provide evidence of permanent resident status prior to the census date (of the trimester in which they are enrolled), the student will automatically be considered for a Commonwealth Government Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset or a domestic fee-paying place as applicable for the program.
Further information
- Fees and Charges Procedure
- 3.6 - Fees for International Students
- 3.9 - Administrative and Miscellaneous Charges
- Cost of studying in Australia
Additional fee information
Throughout your program you may be required to pay for the following items:
First aid certificate; immunisations; uniforms; a portable computer device (laptop or tablet) and expenses associated with placements such as travel and accommodation; dental kits and tools as stipulated for each year. As well, there are Fit for Professional Practice Placement costs such as Blue Card and Police Check. For more information, please visit the School of Medicine and Dentistry and the Health Placement Support Hub webpages.