Could the Doctor of Dental Medicine be your pathway to a fulfilling career as a qualified dental practitioner? If you’re a graduate in health, allied health, or the physical or biological sciences, this program might be just what you’re looking for.
Launched for the first time in 2024, this intensive 3.5-year full-time program is designed to fast-track your journey to becoming a registered dental professional.
Here we’ll address the most frequently asked questions about the program, helping you make an informed decision about your future in dentistry.
UQ ranks #1 in Queensland and #2 in Australia for dentistry in the QS World University Rankings 2024, earning a reputation as one of the best places to study dentistry.
Who is eligible to apply for the Doctor of Dental Medicine program?
Candidates must have completed a bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) in health, allied health, physical sciences, or biological sciences.
You'll also need to have successfully completed:
- university-level study in human anatomy and human physiology or cellular physiology within the last 10 years*
- the GAMSAT within the last 4 years.*
*Time restrictions are based on the year of commencement, not application.
For the university-level study in human anatomy and human or cellular physiology, applicants must have successfully completed:
- 2 units (1 course) in Human Anatomy – musculoskeletal anatomy
- 2 units (1 course) in Human Physiology – systems physiology.
A comprehensive understanding of musculoskeletal and systemic physiology allows our students to approach dental care holistically, enhancing patient outcomes.
Meet the expert: exploring dentistry with Nicole Stormon
What GPA do I need to get into the Doctor of Dental Medicine?
If you're looking at how to get into postgraduate dentistry, your grade point average (GPA) is one of the key criteria. To be eligible for entry, you'll need a GPA of 5.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification. Additionally, you’ll need a GAMSAT score, which serves as a secondary differentiator for applicants with the same GPA.
If your bachelor's degree was completed more than 10 years prior to program commencement, you must have completed either a postgraduate qualification or 4 courses of university-level study (in addition to the university-level subject prerequisites listed above) within the last 10 years.
Due to the competitive entry for this course, not all applicants who meet admission requirements may be offered a place. But, on a positive note, there is no interview required in the selection process – selection is based on academic merit only.
What is the GAMSAT?
The Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) is a graduate medical school admissions test designed to assess capacity to participate in graduate-entry programs in Australia.
For the Doctor of Dental Medicine, your GAMSAT score will be used as a secondary differentiator for applicants with the same GPA. You can contact UQ Admissions (admissions@uq.edu.au) for information regarding the GAMSAT score cut-off for the current year, which can be used as a guide.
How long is the Doctor of Dental Medicine?
UQ’s Doctor of Dental Medicine is one of the fastest postgraduate dentistry programs available in Australia. The innovative curriculum has been designed to condense your studies into 3.5 years (full-time study), which is 6 months faster than most equivalent programs across Australia.
“The accelerated structure of the Doctor of Dental Medicine allows students to complete their studies in just 3.5 years while gaining the same depth of knowledge and clinical experience as a traditional program. Our graduates have an earlier start to their careers with a high-quality education.”
– Dr Nicole Stormon, Program Lead, Doctor of Dental Medicine
Will I do clinical placements?
Yes, you’ll complete approximately 2,000 hours of supervised clinical placements, starting in your second year.
These placements will develop your professional skills in settings such as regional government dental clinics, Community Controlled Health Services, and UQ’s Oral Health Centre. You’ll rotate through various clinics, providing comprehensive oral care to patients, preparing you for general registration as a dentist.
“Our students gain not only theoretical knowledge but also hands-on experience, preparing them to step confidently into their careers.”
– Dr Nicole Stormon, Program Lead, Doctor of Dental Medicine.
What's the difference between the Doctor of Dental Medicine and the Bachelor of Dental Science (Honours)?
The Doctor of Dental Medicine is a 3.5-year full-time graduate entry program, whereas the Bachelor of Dental Science (Honours) is a 5-year program open to school leavers, tertiary students and graduates.
The bachelor program offers Commonwealth supported places (CSPs), while the Doctor of Dental Medicine is a full-fee tuition-paying program.
Both degrees will provide a registerable qualification as a general dental practitioner in Australia and New Zealand.
How many students get accepted into the Doctor of Dental Medicine?
UQ's initial 2024 intake offered 30 places, and we expect to repeat this number in future years.
How much does it cost to study the Doctor of Dental Medicine?
The annual full-time tuition fee for the Doctor of Dental Medicine is $72,624, based on the 2024 intake. Please note that fees are reviewed each year and may change.
Eligible students may apply for FEE-HELP which is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their tuition fees.
UQ’s Doctor of Dental Medicine course page provides additional information regarding fees, government assistance and scholarships.
Is there a sub-quota for medical graduates?
There is no sub-quota for any particular type of graduates, including medical graduates. Admission is open to any graduate applicant who has a background in health, allied health, or physical or biological sciences and meets the eligibility criteria.
How do I apply for the Doctor of Dental Medicine?
All domestic applications must be submitted directly to UQ. Applications can be submitted via the ‘How to apply’ tab on the Doctor of Dental Medicine program page. The program code for the Doctor of Dental Medicine is 5763.
Can international applicants apply for the Doctor of Dental Medicine?
At this stage, the Doctor of Dental Medicine is only offered for domestic applicants and no international applications are accepted.
I'm not eligible for the Doctor of Dental Medicine. How else can I become a dentist?
Whether you’ve just completed high school or are a university graduate looking to change careers, there are study options available to get you there.
Our article, How to become a dentist, highlights various pathways for undergraduate and postgraduate students, including UQ’s Bachelor of Dental Science (Honours), which is a 5-year, full-time program available to both school leavers and applicants who have completed another degree.
Excited to learn more about studying dental medicine and start your career as a dentist?
