Want to earn a rewarding career as a dental hygienist in Australia? The country has many professional dental hygiene degree options for aspiring international students. These courses are specifically designed for those keen on identifying dental aberrations, oral health diseases, and mouth hygiene. Students learn to diagnose, treat, and prevent dental problems in patients of all age groups with professional dental hygiene study programs.
Australia has numerous options for international students - from quality education and top-class infrastructure facilities, students pursuing professional courses in Dental Hygiene at an Australian university are offered multiple opportunities to hone their practical training skills. Australia has a world-renowned healthcare system that provides opportunities for students to obtain hands-on experience in specialty dental clinics. Most universities offer professionally recognised accredited dental courses, allowing students to find employment in any part of the world.
There are several appealing reasons for international students to pursue dental hygiene education in Australia. Some of these are listed below:
Dental hygiene courses in Australia are a perfect opportunity for students to receive practical training from experts in dentistry and receive authentic, real-world experience in the domain.
Most Australian universities provide a comprehensive learning experience with studies to students of Dental Hygiene, including work exposure in a dental clinic during the study program. Students are encouraged to work with a team of professional dentists in a fully equipped and functional clinic.
A wide variety of career opportunities open up for international students upon course completion, including specialist dental clinics, general dental practice, and community dental clinics.
Universities in Australia offer a variety of professional degrees in Dental Hygiene to students at different academic levels. Bachelor of Dental Sciences, Master’s in Dental Science, and Doctor of Dental Science are a few examples. An undergraduate degree is a 3-year full-time course imparted on campus. It is designed to help students develop the required theoretical and clinical skillsets in oral health.
Popular career prospects include practising as Dental Hygienist in Australia after BDS or Dental Therapists. Courses in Dental Hygiene offer students an ideal combination of clinical professional and practical real-world training. Professional accreditation is granted to most dental hygiene courses in Australia, enabling students to practice in any part of the world.
The average cost of pursuing a Bachelor’s course in dental hygiene at a recognised Australian university is estimated to be roughly AUD 470,000 for the whole year.
( https://www.idp.com/india/Categories/Health-and-Medicine/Dental-Studies/Bachelor-of-Dental-Surgery/p/PRG-AU-00061688/ )
Note: This fee is for indicative purposes only. The cost may vary for other Bachelor’s courses as well as for a Master’s degree in Dental Hygiene. Do check with the university you apply to for the exact fee structure of the course that you pursue.
Indian students applying for a dental hygiene degree at an Australian university must meet the following admission criteria:
An aggregate score of 82% in the 4 best academic subjects
AISSC qualification accredited by the CBSE or CISCE, or equivalent
A minimum score of 7.0 in IELTS for English language proficiency
(Source: https://www.griffith.edu.au/study/degrees/bachelor-of-dental-hygiene-1613#entry-requirements )
As per the QS World University Rankings 2023 for Dentistry, the following are some of the top universities to consider for pursuing a course in Dental Hygiene in Australia:
The University of Adelaide
The University of Melbourne
The University of Queensland
The University of Sydney
The University of Western Australia
Sources:https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2023/dentistry?&countries=au
Some of the most promising job avenues that are likely to open up for graduates of Dental Hygiene are:
Dental Hygienist
Oral Health Therapist
You may be able to work in any of the following sectors in any of the above-mentioned roles:
Specialist dental practices
General dental practice
Oral health clinics or community dental practice
The average annual salary of a dental hygienist in Australia is likely to range between AUD 90,000 and AUD 110,000 per annum. This is subject to change as per experience, location, job profile, and qualification.
(Source: https://www.seek.com.au/career-advice/role/dental-hygienist/salary )
1. How do I become a dental hygienist in Australia after BDS?
To pursue practice as a dental hygienist in Australia, international students must clear the following criteria after completing BDS:
Clear the Registration Examination for licensing by a relevant licensing organisation in Australia
Receive a valid work visa from the Australian government
Be registered with the Dental Board of Australia
Get a no criminal records international report from an approved supplier
2. What is the difference between a dentist and a dental hygienist?
Dentists are responsible for diagnosing and treating a patient of their dental health issues to help the patient achieve their oral hygiene goals. A dental hygienist works with patients before a dentist does. The hygienist makes note of any potential dental problem with the patient and informs the same the dentist. However, a dental hygienist may not exactly devise a treatment plan for the condition.
3. What is the highest degree in Australia in dental hygiene?
A doctorate is believed to be the highest degree earned in Australian universities in the field of dental hygiene.
4. Can I work as a dental assistant in Australia after dental hygiene courses?
Most student graduates prefer to join work as dental assistants in Australia and gain some real-world work experience in the domain.
5. Are job placements offered in Australia after dental hygiene courses?
Yes, most Australian universities offer students exciting job placement offers to allow students exposure to real work environments.
6. Are there any licenses required to practice dental hygiene in Australia?
Yes, all dental hygiene professionals must possess a valid work permit and clear a Registration Examination for licensing by a relevant licensing authority.
7. What types of dental hygiene courses are available in Australia?
Several Australian universities offer different types of dental hygiene degrees. These include:
Bachelor of Dental Technology (Honours)
Bachelor of Dental Prosthetics
Bachelor of Dental Health Science (Honours)
Bachelor of Dental Science (Honours)
Bachelor of Dental Hygiene - B Dental Hygiene