Overview

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.