Bachelor of Dental Science
at Charles Sturt University, New South Wales.
A five-year dental degree at Charles Sturt's Orange campus, accredited by the Australian Dental Council. Applicants must sit the UCAT and may be invited to interview in late November. Assumed knowledge: Chemistry, Mathematics Advanced and Physics.
Lowest selection rank
The lowest selection rank (LSR) is the lowest ATAR plus adjustment factors (equity, subject and regional bonuses) that received an offer to the CSU Bachelor of Dental Science for that intake. Universities publish it in their admissions student profiles. Only intakes with a published figure are listed.
| Intake | Lowest selection rank | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 97.70 | uac.edu.au |
| 2024 | 89.90 | uac.edu.au |
A lowest selection rank describes a past intake, not a guaranteed entry score. Check the current entry requirements on the official course page before you apply through UAC.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
No formal Year 12 subject prerequisites; assumed knowledge may still apply.
What you will study
Study areas are dental science, dental health and oral health, with intensive clinical practice in simulation and clinic facilities. In the final two years students attend external clinical placements in the region.
Placement and industry experience
Students train in purpose-built simulation and clinical facilities, then complete external clinical placements in regional communities during the final two years.
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as registered dentists in regional and rural NSW private practices, public dental services and community health centres after AHPRA registration.
- Common first roles include rural dentist positions, Country Health Service graduate programs and CSU partner public dental clinics in Orange, Wagga Wagga and Dubbo.
- Many alumni continue to specialty registration (orthodontics, periodontics, paediatric dentistry) through three-year postgraduate doctoral training.
Professional accreditation
- Australian Dental Council
Typical first jobs
- General dentist in private practice
- General dentist in NSW Health public dental clinics
- Rural dentist with NSW Health rural pathways
- Defence Force dental officer (with ADF sponsorship)
- Dental researcher with PhD pathway
- Specialist dental trainee (after three to five years general practice)
Graduate starting salary
$100,000 - $130,000 per year
Source: jobsandskills.gov.au. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
The course is accredited by the Australian Dental Council, so graduates can register as dentists with the Dental Board of Australia. Graduates work in private and public dental practice, including in rural and regional communities.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students with strong biological-science foundations and manual dexterity
- Those comfortable with close hands-on patient work
- People with strong concentration for fine clinical procedures
- Students prepared for a five-year highly structured pathway
- Those willing to work in public dental services and rural placements
It is probably not for you if
- Students uncomfortable with fine motor work in confined spaces (the mouth)
- Those unwilling to work on real patients early in the degree
- Anyone uncomfortable with the high accreditation and registration burden
Careers this leads to
Australian career pathways that name this Bachelor of Dental Science as an entry route. Each page shows uni, TAFE and apprenticeship alternatives.
Related courses at CSU
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the Charles Sturt University website and on UAC before applying.