This two-and-a-half-year degree gives you an overview of rural health sciences before focusing on oral health and promotion. You'll learn how to assist in the prevention and treatment of tooth decay and gum disease and promote oral health to rural Victorians. In the first and second years of your degree, you'll focus on applied science subjects such as human biosciences, principles of public health and determinants of health. You'll have access to our new on-campus clinical facility to practise your skills in dentistry, oral health practice, special needs dentistry and pharmacology before entering into external clinical placements. Before starting your last semester, you must complete a summer semester that includes a two-week placement at either a rural Victorian dentistry practice or overseas, before returning to our Bendigo Campus to finish your studies. Before starting this degree you'll need to complete your Level 1 First Aid/CPR certification, get your required vaccinations, and provide a current police check and Working With Children check.

The skills you gain in this degree are in high demand in rural and remote settings around Victoria - in community centres, Indigenous health collectives and dental clinics. You may find work as a dental hygienist, dental therapist or oral health therapist.