Course overview
- Description
This course is designed to train dentists in one of these specialty disciplines: Endodontics, Oral Medicine, Orthodontics, Periodontics, Prosthodontics or Paediatric Dentistry. Graduates are eligible for registration as specialists in the appropriate discipline with the relevant registration authorities in Australasia and New Zealand in their chosen field, provided they are eligible for registration as a Dentist. The course consists of didactic work, clinical practice, laboratory and research work.
- Course title
- Doctor of Clinical Dentistry
- Award abbreviation
- DClinDent
- Course code
- 90840
- Course type
- Clinical master's degree
- Status
- Current / 2025
- Administered by
- Dental School
- CRICOS code
- 068911K
Course details
- Intake periods
- Beginning of year only
- Attendance type
- Full-time only
- Articulation
- The Doctor of Clinical Dentistry has the following exit award: 92340 Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (48 points) (48 points)
- Credit points required
- 144
A standard full-time load is 24 points per semester. - Professional accreditation
- Doctor of Clinical Dentistry is accredited by: The Australian Dental Council (ADC).
- Standard course duration
- 3 years
- Time limit
- 4 years
- Delivery mode
- Internal
- Locations offered
- UWA (Perth)
- Domestic fee type
- Postgraduate fee-paying/FEE-HELP
- Available to international students
- Yes. For information on international student fees see 'Student Procedures: Fees'. (Enquiries: https://www.uwa.edu.au/askuwa)
- Course Coordinator(s)
- Associate Professor Robert Anthonappa
- Fees
- Visit the fees calculator.
Enquiries and course advice
- Note
Places in this course are limited due to the number of dental chairs, and only 2 to 4 students are admitted to each specialisation at any intake. Applicants who meet the admission requirements are short listed and invited to submit a short personal statement about their interest in the specialisation and their relevant experience, and to submit two referee reports. They are then offered an interview in person, or by video conferencing as appropriate, with the relevant discipline panel. The panel of at least two academic staff, including the coordinator of the specialisation, rank the candidates and make a recommendation to the Dean and Head of School based on:
- Personal Statement
- Research Experience
- Years of clinical experience and training
- Other relevant training
- Two referee reports.
Intake times vary with the specialisation but are available in January and July. Orthodontics only has an intake in even years.
Prospective students should see the Future Students website for details on admission requirements, intake periods, fees, availability to international students, careers information etc.
No study plans found for this course. See study plans for more information.
Specialisations
PG-ENDTC Endodontics
PG-OMEDC Oral Medicine
PG-ORDTC Orthodontics
PG-PDENT Paediatric Dentistry
PG-PRDTC Periodontics
SP-PROS Prosthodontics
Course structure
Key to availability of units:
- S1
- Semester 1
- S2
- Semester 2
- NS
- non-standard teaching period
All units have a value of six points unless otherwise stated.
Take all units (18 points):
Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
S1 | DENT5603 | Dental Research Methodology |
| lectures/tutorials: 2 hours per week |
NS | DENT6849 | Oral and Maxillofacial Radiography and Radiology | None | 2 hours per week (for approx. 10 weeks) |
S1, S2 | PUBH4401 | Biostatistics I |
| lectures: 2 hours per week; tutorials: 1.5 hours per week |
Endodontics specialisation
Take all units (126 points):
Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
NS | DENT6801 | Endodontics Theory I Part 1 |
| seminars: 4 hours per week (average) |
NS | DENT6802 | Endodontics Theory I Part 2 |
| seminars: 4 hours per week (average) |
NS | DENT6803 | Endodontics Theory II Part 1 | seminars: 4 hours per week (average) | |
NS | DENT6804 | Endodontics Theory II Part 2 | seminars: 4 hours per week (average) | |
NS | DENT6805 | Endodontics Theory III Part 1 | seminars: 4 hours per week (average) | |
NS | DENT6806 | Endodontics Theory III Part 2 | seminars: 4 hours per week (average) | |
NS | DENT6807 | Endodontics Clinical Practice I Part 1 |
| clinics: 5 half-day sessions per week (average) |
NS | DENT6808 | Endodontics Clinical Practice I Part 2 |
| clinics: 5 half-day sessions per week (average) |
NS | DENT6809 | Endodontics Clinical Practice II Part 1 (12 points) | clinics: 5 half-day sessions per week (average) | |
NS | DENT6810 | Endodontics Clinical Practice II Part 2 (12 points) | clinics: 5 half-day sessions per week (average) | |
NS | DENT6811 | Endodontics Clinical Practice III Part 1 (12 points) | clinics: 5 half-day sessions per week (average) | |
NS | DENT6812 | Endodontics Clinical Practice III Part 2 (12 points) | clinics: 5 half-day sessions per week (average) | |
NS | DENT6851 | Endodontics Research Dissertation (30 points) |
|
Oral Medicine specialisation
Take all units (126 points):
Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
NS | DENT6813 | Oral Medicine Theory I Part 1 |
| seminars: 4 hours per week (average) |
NS | DENT6814 | Oral Medicine Theory I Part 2 |
| seminars: 4 hours per week (average) |
NS | DENT6815 | Oral MedicineTheory II Part 1 | lectures/seminars/practicals: 12 hours per week (average) | |
NS | DENT6816 | Oral Medicine Theory II Part 2 | lectures/seminars/practicals: 12 hours per week (average) | |
NS | DENT6817 | Oral Medicine Theory III Part 1 | lectures/seminars/practicals: 12 hours per week (average) | |
NS | DENT6818 | Oral Medicine Theory III Part 2 | lectures/seminars/practicals: 12 hours per week (average) | |
NS | DENT6819 | Oral Medicine Clinical Practice I Part 1 |
| clinics/labs: 18 hours per week for 45 weeks |
NS | DENT6820 | Oral Medicine Clinical Practice I Part 2 |
| clinics/labs: 18 hours per week for 45 weeks |
NS | DENT6821 | Oral Medicine Clinical Practice II Part 1 (12 points) | clinics/labs: 18 hours per week for 45 weeks | |
NS | DENT6822 | Oral Medicine Clinical Practice II Part 2 (12 points) | clinics/labs: 18 hours per week for 45 weeks | |
NS | DENT6823 | Oral Medicine Clinical Practice III Part 1 (12 points) | clinics/labs: 18 hours per week for 45 weeks | |
NS | DENT6824 | Oral Medicine Clinical Practice III Part 2 (12 points) | clinics/labs: 18 hours per week for 45 weeks | |
NS | DENT6852 | Oral Medicine Research Dissertation (30 points) |
|
Orthodontics specialisation
Take all units (126 points):
Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
NS | DENT6825 | Orthodontics Theory I Part 1 |
| seminars: 6 hours per week (average) |
NS | DENT6826 | Orthodontics Theory I Part 2 |
| seminars: 6 hours per week (average) |
NS | DENT6827 | Orthodontics Theory II Part 1 | seminars: 6 hrs per week (average) | |
NS | DENT6828 | Orthodontics Theory II Part 2 | seminars: 6 hours per week (average) | |
NS | DENT6829 | Orthodontics Theory III Part 1 | seminars: 6 hours per week (average) | |
NS | DENT6830 | Orthodontics Theory III Part 2 | seminars: 6 hours per week (average) | |
NS | DENT6831 | Orthodontics Clinical Practice I Part 1 |
| clinics: 5 half-day sessions per week; seminars: 3 hours per week |
NS | DENT6832 | Orthodontics Clinical Practice I Part 2 |
| clinics: 5 half-day sessions per week; seminars: 3 hours per week |
NS | DENT6833 | Orthodontics Clinical Practice II Part 1 (12 points) | clinics: 5 half-day sessions per week; seminars: 3 hours per week | |
NS | DENT6834 | Orthodontics Clinical Practice II Part 2 (12 points) | clinics: 5 half-day sessions per week; seminars: 3 hours per week | |
NS | DENT6835 | Orthodontics Clinical Practice III Part 1 (12 points) | clinics: 5 half-day sessions per week; seminars: 3 hours per week | |
NS | DENT6836 | Orthodontics Clinical Practice III Part 2 (12 points) | clinics: 5 half-day sessions per week; seminars: 3 hours per week | |
NS | DENT6853 | Orthodontics Research Dissertation (30 points) |
|
Paediatric Dentistry specialisation
Take all units (126 points):
Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
NS | DENT6854 | Paediatric Dentistry Theory I Part 1 |
| |
NS | DENT6855 | Paediatric Dentistry Theory I Part 2 |
| |
NS | DENT6856 | Paediatric Dentistry Theory II Part 1 | ||
NS | DENT6857 | Paediatric Dentistry Theory II Part 2 | ||
NS | DENT6858 | Paediatric Dentistry Theory III Part 1 | ||
NS | DENT6859 | Paediatric Dentistry Theory III Part 2 | ||
NS | DENT6860 | Paediatric Dentistry Clinical Practice I Part 1 |
| |
NS | DENT6861 | Paediatric Dentistry Clinical Practice I Part 2 |
| |
NS | DENT6862 | Paediatric Dentistry Clinical Practice II Part 1 (12 points) | ||
NS | DENT6863 | Paediatric Dentistry Clinical Practice II Part 2 (12 points) | ||
NS | DENT6864 | Paediatric Dentistry Clinical Practice III Part 1 (12 points) | ||
NS | DENT6865 | Paediatric Dentistry Clinical Practice III Part 2 (12 points) | ||
NS | DENT6866 | Paediatric Dentistry Research Dissertation (30 points) |
|
Periodontics specialisation
Take all units (126 points):
Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
NS | DENT6837 | Periodontics Theory I Part 1 |
| Seminars: 3 hours per week for 4-5 weeks |
NS | DENT6838 | Periodontics Theory I Part 2 |
| Seminars: 3 hours per week for 4-5 weeks |
NS | DENT6839 | Periodontics Theory II Part 1 | seminars: 3 hours per week for 4-5 weeks | |
NS | DENT6840 | Periodontics Theory II Part 2 | seminars: 3 hours per week for 4-5 weeks | |
NS | DENT6841 | Periodontics Theory III Part 1 | seminars: 3 hours per week for 4-5 weeks | |
NS | DENT6842 | Periodontics Theory III Part 2 | seminars: 3 hours per week for 4-5 weeks | |
NS | DENT6843 | Periodontics Clinical Practice I Part 1 |
| clinics: five to six 4-hour sessions per week |
NS | DENT6844 | Periodontics Clinical Practice I Part 2 |
| clinics: five to six 4-hour sessions per week |
NS | DENT6845 | Periodontics Clinical Practice II Part 1 (12 points) | clinics: five to six 4-hour sessions per week | |
NS | DENT6846 | Periodontics Clinical Practice II Part 2 (12 points) | clinics: five to six 4-hour sessions per week | |
NS | DENT6847 | Periodontics Clinical Practice III Part 1 (12 points) | clinics: five to six 4-hour sessions per week | |
NS | DENT6848 | Periodontics Clinical Practice III Part 2 (12 points) | clinics: five to six 4-hour sessions per week | |
NS | DENT6850 | Periodontics Research Dissertation (30 points) |
|
Prosthodontics specialisation
Take all units (126 points):
Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
NS | DENT6883 | Prosthodontics Theory I Part 1 | Seminars: 4 hours per week (average) | |
NS | DENT6884 | Prosthodontics Theory I Part 2 | Seminars: 4 hours per week (average) | |
NS | DENT6885 | Prosthodontics Clinical Practice I Part 1 | Clinics: 15 hours per week (average) | |
NS | DENT6886 | Prosthodontics Clinical Practice I Part 2 | Clinics: 15 hours per week (average) | |
NS | DENT6887 | Prosthodontics Theory II (Part 1) |
| Seminars: 4 hours per week (average) |
NS | DENT6888 | Prosthodontics Theory II (Part 2) | Seminars: 4 hours per week (average) | |
NS | DENT6889 | Prosthodontics Clinical Practice II (Part 1) (12 points) |
| Clinics: 15 hours per week (average) |
NS | DENT6890 | Prosthodontics Clinical Practice II (Part 2) (12 points) | Clinics: 15 hours per week (average) | |
NS | DENT6891 | Prosthodontics Theory III (Part 1) |
| Seminars: 4 hours per week (average) |
NS | DENT6892 | Prosthodontics Theory III (Part 2) | Seminars: 4 hours per week (average) | |
NS | DENT6893 | Prosthodontics Clinical Practice III (Part 1) (12 points) |
| Clinics: 15 hours per week (average) |
NS | DENT6894 | Prosthodontics Clinical Practice III (Part 2) (12 points) | Clinics: 15 hours per week (average) | |
NS | DENT6895 | Prosthodontics Research Dissertation (30 points) |
| 6 hours per week (average) |
See also the rules for the course and the Student Rules.
Rules
Applicability of the Student Rules, policies and procedures
1.(1) The Student Rules apply to students in this course.
(2) The policy, policy statements and guidance documents and student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.
Academic Conduct Essentials and Communication and Research Skills modules
2.(1) A student who enrols in this course for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct Essentials module (the ACE module) and the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module).
(2) A student must successfully complete the ACE module within the first teaching period of their enrolment. Failure to complete the module within this timeframe will result in the student's unit results from this teaching period being withheld. These results will continue to be withheld until students avail themselves of a subsequent opportunity to achieve a passing grade in the ACE module. In the event that students complete units in subsequent teaching periods without completing the ACE module, these results will similarly be withheld. Students will not be permitted to submit late review or appeal applications regarding results which have been withheld for this reason and which they were unable to access in the normally permitted review period.
English Language competency requirements
3.(1) To be considered eligible for consideration for admission to this course an applicant must satisfy the University's English language competence requirement as set out in the University Policy on Admission: Coursework, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.
(2) Applicants presenting with the IELTS Academic require an overall score of at least 7.0 and no band less than 7.0
(3) Applicants presenting with the Pearson Test of English (PTE) (Academic) require an overall score of at least 65 and no sub-score less than 65.
(4) Applicants presenting with the TOEFL iBT require an overall score of at least 94, a minimum score of 23 in the Speaking band, 24 in the Listening and Reading bands, and 27 in the Writing band.
Please note - The University doesn't recognise OET, NZREX, or PLAB.
Admission requirements
4. To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have
(a) a Bachelor of Dental Science, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
and
(b) at least two years of full-time professional experience or equivalent in the practice of general dentistry;
and
(c) current registration as a dentist in Australia.
Applicants must be eligible and remain registered for the duration of the course.
Admission ranking and selection
5. Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on
(a) personal statement addressing; research expertise; years of clinical experience and training; other relevant training;
and
(b) interview;
and
(c) two referees reports
(d) desirable - passed the Primary Examination for Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons.
Articulations and exit awards
6.(1) This course has the following exit award:
- 92340 Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (48 points)
(2) A student who withdraws from the Doctor of Clinical Dentistry course before completing it, and who has successfully completed:
(1) the three core units (18 points)
(2) 24 points from one specialisation consisting of all Theory 1 and Clinical Practice 1 units (24 points)
and
(3) the equivalent to 6 points unspecified credit for satisfactory progress in the relevant dissertation unit. "Satisfactory progress" in the Dissertation unit as documented in the unit guide, and to constitute:
Research proposal (using the DCD proposal template) meets the criteria for DCD suitability/feasability and approved by principal supervisor
Submitted a Conflict of interest declaration
Research proposal reviewed by external advisor/advisory panel
UWA Dental School Site Specific Assessment (SSA) form submitted and approved by research committee chair
Regular meetings with program convenor, (at least 2 face-to-face (in person or electronically) meetings /semester), may apply to the School to be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry.
Course structure
7.(1) The course consists of units to a total value of 144 points which must include course core units and specialisation units. The course comprises the following specialisations:
- PG-ENDTC Endodontics
- PG-OMEDC Oral Medicine
- PG-ORDTC Orthodontics
- PG-PDENT Paediatric Dentistry
- PG-PRDTC Periodontics
- SP-PROS Prosthodontics
(2) Units must be selected in accordance with the course structure, as set out in these rules.
Satisfactory progress
8. Students will not have made satisfactory progress if they
(a) fail a unit twice;
or
(b) fail more than two units at the first attempt.
[Approved exceptions to University Policy]
9. A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module) when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress even if they have met the other requirements for satisfactory progress in Rule 8.
Progress status
10.(1) A student who makes satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 8 is assigned the status of 'Good Standing'.
(2) Unless the relevant board determines otherwise because of exceptional circumstances
(a) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the first time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'On Probation';
(b) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the second time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Suspended';
(c) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the third time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Excluded'.
11. A student who does not make satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 9 is assigned the progress status of 'On Probation', unless they have been assigned a progress status of 'Suspended' or 'Excluded' for failure to meet other satisfactory progress requirements in Rule 8.
Award with distinction
12. This rule is not applicable to this course.
Deferrals
13. Applicants awarded admission to the course are entitled to a deferral of up to 12 months, as per the University Policy on: Admissions (Coursework).
Additional rules
Time limit
14. The time limit is four years from the date of first enrolment in the course.
[Approved exception to University Policy]
Enrolment
15.(1) Unless on the recommendation of the Dean and Head of the UWA Dental School, permits otherwise, a student must enrol in units to the value of at least 48 points in any year of enrolment.
(2) Students are required to maintain registration with the Dental Board of Western Australia throughout their enrolment.
Substitution
16. Under exceptional circumstances assessed on a case by case basis, the Dean and Head of School, on recommendation by the course coordinator, may permit a student to substitute units up to a maximum of 12 points in another unit or units of equivalent value.
[Approved exception to University Policy]
Credit
17.(1) Credit will normally only be granted for coursework completed within the last five years.
[Approved addition to University Policy]
(2) Credit granted for work completed as part of an approved course at this or another recognised tertiary institution will not exceed 24 points.
[Approved exception to University Policy]
(3) A student who withdraws from the Doctor of Clinical Dentistry and is awarded a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry is not entitled to credit for prior learning should they wish to re-apply for the Doctor of Clinical Dentistry at The University of Western Australia.
Appointment of examiners
18.(1) Following submission of a dissertation, the UWA Dental School appoints at least two examiners to conduct appropriate examinations and consider the research dissertations, one of whom must be an external examiner unless the Faculty determines otherwise.
(2) The examiners results are reported to the UWA Dental School Board of Examiners.
Requirement to attend and complete prescribed work
19.(1) Students must attend compulsory teaching and undertake practical and clinical work at the University, Oral Health Centre of Western Australia, and other institutions as approved by the Dean and head of School.
(2) Providing approval is granted, a student is permitted to take a maximum of 10 University days annually as leave. Leave can include compassionate leave, medical leave , personal/other leave.
(3) Leave is administered and managed as outlined in the UWA Dental School Student Handbook.
(4) Students who are absent for more than 10 clinical sessions will be required to make-up any further missed clinical sessions during the remainder of the year.