The Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) at University of Melbourne is the only Australian professional-entry, master’s-level dental degree. Based on advanced, evidenced-based clinical training, the degree leads to registration as a general dental practitioner with the Dental Practice Board in Australia and New Zealand, and creates a pathway to enter the Master of Philosophy, PhD or Doctor of Clinical Dentistry. The DDS uses the latest scientific evidence in oral health to impart the expertise, skills and knowledge related to all areas of clinical dental practice. It includes the teaching of advanced treatment options such as dental implants, all-ceramic restorations and use of advanced materials. The course is delivered by highly qualified academics, with research experience from leading universities around the world. The program emphasis is on pre-clinical practical classes and clinical patient treatments in all specialties of dentistry. All studies are conducted with the underpinning ethos of prevention of dental disease for which the Melbourne Dental School has a world-renowned reputation. Located in Carlton, the Melbourne Dental School is an advanced learning environment at the forefront of oral health, state-of-the-art technologies and international collaborations, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Course description As part of the four-year full-time degree, students spend significant time in provision of patient care, and clinical methods, as well as undertake a two-year research project in oral health. In the final year, students have the unique opportunity to experience working in a private practice setting, where they will learn how to run a small dental clinic. The Doctor of Dental Surgery creates a new benchmark of education in dentistry. Employing state-of-the-art technologies, the Doctor of Dental Surgery uses new learning infrastructure, including a 100 seat pre-clinical laboratory and the new Melbourne University Dental Clinic, for advanced clinical teaching. The DDS experience is where students will learn how to plan, seek and attain ethics approval. Students also complete, analyse and finally prepare a research project for publication and oral presentation at the School research day. Degree structure The DDS incorporates all aspects related to the provision of advanced general dental care to patients as well as teaches students to prepare, develop, execute and write for publication a small research project. It is a fixed, full-time course of 4 years' duration. The course commences with the introduction of specialised oral health subjects to allow students to enter the clinic as quickly as possible to maximise the experience in all aspects and phases of clinical treatment. In the final year, Comprehensive Dental Practice (a year-long subject of 40 weeks, comprised of general dental practice placements in urban community health centres (5 weeks), the University of Melbourne Dental Clinic (23 weeks), specialist practice/hospital clinics (5 weeks) and rural community health centres, including Aboriginal oral health (7 weeks) Learning outcomes Acquire essential factual knowledge to become a general dentist and leader of the oral health team Disease processes and mechanisms together with their aetiology clinical manifestations, prevention and treatment Professional skills and attitudes expected of a dental practitioner The ability to critically appraise research evidence relevant to common oral problems Induce oral health changes in individual patients and their families Practise effectively in oral health promotion and education Achieve the competencies identified by the Dental Practice Boards of Australia necessary for practice as a registered general dentist