Bachelor of Dental Health Science
at Griffith University, Queensland.
A three-year ADC-accredited Bachelor at the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct preparing registered oral health therapists, with a defined pathway to the Doctor of Dental Surgery for those who want to qualify as full dentists.
ATAR cutoff history
Published cutoff data for the Griffith University Bachelor of Dental Health Science. We never invent figures; entries marked "not published" mean the university or admissions centre has not released a verified cutoff for that intake.
| Intake year | ATAR cutoff | Admissions centre |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ATAR cutoff not published | QTAC |
| 2024 | ATAR cutoff not published | QTAC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | QTAC |
No verified cutoffs are available. Confirm the latest figure on the official QTAC cutoff release.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
First year builds the oral-health and biomedical foundation: human anatomy and physiology, oral biology and dental anatomy, infection control, communication and an introduction to clinical practice. Teaching is based at the Gold Coast campus and the Health and Knowledge Precinct, where you begin simulation work in the dental clinic learning instruments, hand skills and patient observation. Second year deepens preventive and clinical practice: dental public health, periodontics, paediatric oral health, pharmacology relevant to dental care and radiography. You move from simulation into supervised patient care in the Griffith dental clinics, working under registered clinicians and treating real patients with a focus on prevention and oral hygiene. Third year is the clinical-consolidation stage: full scope-of-practice clinical placement across the Griffith clinics, Queensland Health public dental services and the School Dental Service, plus health-promotion projects and an evidence-based-practice course. On graduation you are eligible to apply for AHPRA registration as an oral health therapist and to bridge into the Doctor of Dental Surgery to qualify as a dentist.
Example first-year subjects
- Oral Biology and Dental Anatomy
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Introduction to Oral Health Practice
- Infection Control and Clinical Safety
- Communication for Health Professionals
- Foundations of Dental Public Health
How you will be assessed
- Supervised clinical placement competency assessments
- Practical and simulation skills examinations in the dental clinic
- Written exams in oral biology, anatomy and pharmacology
- Case-based assignments and treatment-planning tasks
- Reflective practice journals from clinical placement
- Health-promotion project reports and presentations
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as registered oral health therapists in Queensland Health public dental services, school dental programs and private dental practices after AHPRA registration.
- First-year jobs include Queensland Health new graduate placements, the School Dental Service and roles in private practice with a focus on preventive care for children and adolescents.
- Many graduates continue into Griffiths Graduate Diploma of Dentistry or the Doctor of Dental Surgery to qualify as a registered dentist.
Professional accreditation
- Australian Dental Council
- AHPRA Dental Board of Australia registration eligible (Oral Health Therapy scope)
Typical first jobs
- Oral health therapist in Queensland Health public dental services
- Clinician in the Queensland School Dental Service
- Oral health therapist in private dental practice
- New-graduate placement at Gold Coast Health dental services
- Preventive oral-health practitioner in community dental clinics
- Pathway into the Doctor of Dental Surgery
Graduate starting salary
$60,000 - $70,000 per year
Source: https://www.qilt.edu.au/surveys/graduate-outcomes-survey-(gos). Last reviewed 2026-05-24.
After graduation
Most graduates register with the Dental Board of Australia (via AHPRA) and work as oral health therapists in Queensland Health public dental services, the School Dental Service or private practice. The clearest progression is into the Griffith Doctor of Dental Surgery to qualify as a registered dentist. Other postgraduate options include graduate study in dental public health, health promotion or clinical education for those moving into teaching and service roles.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students with steady hand skills and strong attention to fine detail
- Calm communicators who can put nervous patients at ease
- People who enjoy preventive health and working with children
- Patient learners comfortable with anatomy and clinical protocols
- Those who can handle close, hands-on clinical contact
It is probably not for you if
- Students who dislike close physical patient-care work
- Those uncomfortable with strict infection-control and clinical rules
- People wanting a research-based or office-bound health role
- Students unable to meet AHPRA fitness-to-practise and immunisation requirements
Careers this leads to
Australian career pathways that name this Bachelor of Dental Health Science as an entry route. Each page shows uni, TAFE and apprenticeship alternatives.
Related courses at Griffith
Sources
- https://www.griffith.edu.au/study/degrees/bachelor-of-dental-health-science-1407
- https://www.qtac.edu.au/
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and ATAR cutoffs on the Griffith University handbook and on QTAC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/griffith/bachelor-of-dental-health-science.