Postgraduate

Doctor of Clinical Dentistry

UQ’s Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (DClinDent) is a three year fulltime Level 9 extended Masters (Australian Qualifications Framework) leading to a registrable specialist qualification. You will experience:

Interdisciplinary learning and undertake patient care in a state-of-the-art facility with the most modern equipment, technologies and teaching methods.
Collegial support and interaction with leading specialists from the first week of your first year of study.
Research focus over all three years of the program.

Duration: 3 years full-time
Location: Herston campus

The School of Dentistry is pleased to announce that applications are now being invited for Dento-Maxillofacial Radiology, Endodontics, Orthodontics, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, and Special Needs Dentistry for enrolment in Semester 1, 2022.

Study and Research Plan

The DClinDent program is comprised of 48 units taken over a period of three years (six semesters). Programs commence in mid-January each year. The content of each program varies dependent on the candidate’s chosen specialty. The DClinDent program includes:

Common core courses in basic science
A nominated field of Dental Science
A research project and report

Participants attend seminars, tutorials, practical classes, clinical work and other relevant courses as required by the Discipline Lead. Participants also prepare a cumulative log summarising practical work performed in the principal program area for presentation to examiners if requested.

This program also features a research project occupying approximately 30 per cent of total program time.

Application and Selection

Applications for Dento-Maxillofacial Radiology, Endodontics, Orthodontics, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, and Special Needs Dentistry submitted on or before 14 April 2021 will be assessed and considered for enrolment commencing in Semester 1, 2022. Applications submitted after this date will not be assessed for admission in 2022.

All applications for the above available disciplines must be submitted online. The program code for the DClinDent is 5616.

Due to limited places, entry is competitive and not all applicants who meet the minimum entry requirements will be offered a place. Entry is determined using a competitive selection process and is based on academic records, other postgraduate qualifications, work and research experience since graduation, commitment to the discipline and referee reports.

Applications will only be accepted through the University's online application system.

Supporting Documentation

Supporting documentation must be uploaded with your online application. Please make sure you upload the following documents to your online application by the closing date:

Official academic transcripts including the grading scale (UQ transcripts do not need to be submitted)
Degree award certificates (UQ degree award certificates do no need to be submitted)
Full CV (including evidence of clinical experience, research publications and contact details of two referees)
Completed personal statement (docx, 101 KB) form
Evidence of AHPRA registration (and ADC examinations certificate if relevant)
Evidence of RACDS Primary Examinations or equivalent (if completed)
Evidence of English language proficiency* if applicable
Evidence of Australian or New Zealand citizenship or Australian permanent residency i.e. citizenship certificate, passport or birth certificate

*Please note that if you are an overseas trained dentist and/or from a non-English speaking background, you will need to provide evidence of English Language Proficiency (i.e. IELTS overall band score of 7, with a minimum of 7 in each sub-band - reading, writing, listening and speaking, obtained within the past two years from the date of program commencement). Please see UQ’s English Language Proficiency policy for further information.

Please use the Application Checklist (PDF, 171 KB) to ensure that you have included all necessary documentation with your application, as incomplete applications will not be eligible for assessment.

Nomination of Two Referees

The names and contact details (including email addresses) of two nominated referees are also required. A request for referee reports will be forwarded to nominated referees for applicants who have been shortlisted. Please notify your referees and advise them of their nomination before submitting your online application by the due date.

Please note that nominated referees must be a current/former employer, mentor or professional colleague suitably qualified to assess your clinical abilities and professional attitude and character.

Clinical Assessment Program

Shortlisted applicants will be required to undertake a Clinical Assessment Program to be held at the School of Dentistry, which may include activities such as clinical observation, a situational judgement test, virtual case discussion and assessment, and a presentation task. Such applicants will be responsible for all travel and accommodation costs incurred in undertaking the assessment in Brisbane.

Important Dates

Submission closing date for applications to be assessed (major round): 14 April 2021

Shortlisted applicants attend Clinical Assessment Program in Brisbane: Mid-late June (to be confirmed)

Please note that clinical assessment of applicants may be undertaken where possible by videoconferencing (Zoom). Clinical assessment which is required to be conducted in person at the School of Dentistry may be subject to change depending upon COVID-19 restrictions at the time.

It is intended that offers be made to successful applicants in July 2021.

Periodontics

The Periodontics program involves attendance at lectures, seminars, tutorials as well as clinical sessions. Courses cover basic and applied topics relevant to the discipline of periodontics. These include immunology, microbiology, oral medicine and clinical oral pathology, biology of the periodontium and pulp, periodontal restorative interrelationships, implantology, and radiology. Students gain clinical experience treating patients referred to the periodontal clinic, in addition to regular case presentation sessions and clinical tutorials. Exposure to a range of periodontal treatments, including conservative, surgical, regenerative and mucogingival periodontal therapies as well as implantology, including advanced case planning, regenerative and augmentation procedures, are part of clinical training.

Prosthodontics

The Prosthodontics program provides specialist knowledge and skills in crown and bridgework, complete and partial denture prosthodontics, implant prosthodontics, temporomandibular joint disorders and occlusion. Advanced concepts in prosthodontics are taught through a seminar and tutorial program and clinical training. Students gain exposure to interrelated disciplines through participation in coursework, seminars and tutorials with students in other disciplines.

Oral Medicine

Applications are not currently being assessed for this discipline

Oral Medicine is a challenging and rewarding specialty where students will see a large range of conditions, ranging from mainly medical to mainly dental in origin. The program includes rotations in oncology, dermatology, pain diagnosis and management, sleep medicine and soft and hard tissue pathology including salivary gland disorders. Graduates often work in a multidisciplinary environment to ensure the best outcomes for patients. There may also be the opportunity through a MOU between UQ and the RACDS to obtain the FRACDS (Oral Medicine special stream), which can be used as a post-nominal.

Special Needs Dentistry

The Special Needs Dentistry program provides knowledge and skills in the oral health care of people affected by an intellectual disability, medical, physical or psychiatric conditions. Students will be trained at postgraduate level to provide special methods or techniques to prevent or treat oral health problems and develop special dental treatment plans. Specialised facilities in treating Special Needs patients are provided at the Oral Health Centre, Herston. Students will also gain clinical experience in the medical and surgical units of the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and other teaching hospitals in Brisbane, as well as selected public dental sector associated clinics.

Endodontics

Gain specialist knowledge and skills relevant to the discipline of endodontics. The program consists of practical and theoretical components and designed for the student to acquire the advanced skills needed for evidence-based patient treatment and transition to high-quality practice in endodontics. The three year program offers formal coursework and clinical training with internationally recognised experts in the field.

The program highlights current developments in technology and strategies that are directly applicable to endodontic practice. The clinical education is underpinned by in-depth instruction in research methodology including an original research project culminating in a publishable thesis.

In line with the expectations of a dental specialist in private practice, the program includes interdisciplinary work in courses, seminars and tutorials jointly with other disciplines.

Clinical training emphasises patient and practice management, strategies for complex treatment challenges and understanding evolving technical advancements in the field.

* Surgical operatories feature modern equipment, instrumentation, dental operating microscopes and hospital trained assisting teams.

Orthodontics

The Orthodontics program covers all aspects of the discipline - basic and applied, through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, clinical training and case presentations. These areas of study include cephalometric theory and practice, craniofacial anatomy, development and morphology, biological force systems and their application, radiology and radiography techniques. Major clinical pursuits include orthodontics, diagnosis and management of dental and craniofacial anomalies, cleft lip and palate, and interdisciplinary management of complex malocclusions. Clinical work is undertaken at the Oral Health Centre, Herston and in conjunction with teaching hospital facilities such as the Cleft Clinic at Queensland Children’s Hospital and orthognathic surgery through the Maxillofacial Unit (Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital).

Dento-Maxillofacial Radiology

The Dento-Maxillofacial Radiology program covers all aspects of diagnostic radiology and radiography relevant to the maxillofacial region. Throughout the program, students will become familiar with advanced imaging techniques at the Oral Health Centre, Herston and visiting sessions at Medical radiology practices and the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. Cone beam imaging is a major component of the program.