Registered  members with 100+ posts do not see Ads

Studying and Practicing Dentistry: General Discussion

poiboy

Member
Hey dentistry students,
this is a thread were dental students can get together to ask and share questions relating to the actual course material etc!
Regards,
poiboy
 

zzzyou

Member
Hi all, I’m an international student studying dentistry for the first time this year. Many seniors have encouraged us to begin collecting as much human teeth as possible so it’ll make our lives easier. I’ve collected a small jar, soaked in household bleach + water but I’m now worried about the checking in and transportation from one country to the other. Could anyone share with me your experiences, any tips or things I need to take note of? Will I be fined if I get caught at customs? Also, am I not allowed to check it in since it’s soaked in bleach? Pardon my questions I’m just totally clueless!
 

Fili

Dentist 🦷
Moderator
Hi all, I’m an international student studying dentistry for the first time this year. Many seniors have encouraged us to begin collecting as much human teeth as possible so it’ll make our lives easier. I’ve collected a small jar, soaked in household bleach + water but I’m now worried about the checking in and transportation from one country to the other. Could anyone share with me your experiences, any tips or things I need to take note of? Will I be fined if I get caught at customs? Also, am I not allowed to check it in since it’s soaked in bleach? Pardon my questions I’m just totally clueless!

I don't know a single dent student that collects human teeth.

I don't recommend keeping the teeth. Just get rid of it and don't bring it to the country as it poses too many risks and problems. They'll have enough resources for models to work on and I don't quite see a benefit of collecting human teeth given that all you need to know and learn will be provided by the University.
 
Last edited:

garmonbozia

Membered Value
Valued Member
Hi all, I’m an international student studying dentistry for the first time this year. Many seniors have encouraged us to begin collecting as much human teeth as possible so it’ll make our lives easier. I’ve collected a small jar, soaked in household bleach + water but I’m now worried about the checking in and transportation from one country to the other. Could anyone share with me your experiences, any tips or things I need to take note of? Will I be fined if I get caught at customs? Also, am I not allowed to check it in since it’s soaked in bleach? Pardon my questions I’m just totally clueless!
From this page:

"Hair, teeth or bones of a deceased human’s body (other than as part of a deceased human’s body or a part of a deceased human’s body) brought into Australia must be clean and have no adhering tissue, blood or faeces.

Hair, teeth or bones not meeting these requirements will need the permission of a Commonwealth HBO in order to be brought into Australia."
 

Yamster

Dental Moderator
Emeritus Staff
Human teeth are needed for endo practice in later years, though I’m not too sure if you can bring it from overseas. It’s probably easier to wait till you get here and start collecting from first year if you’re that keen - please be mindful that the teeth need to be gamma-irradiated to be fully sterile so be very careful when handling those collected teeth as you’re not sure what kind of disease the patient may have had.
 

ponyswordz

UAdel BDS (2020-2024)
Valued Member
Hi all, I’m an international student studying dentistry for the first time this year. Many seniors have encouraged us to begin collecting as much human teeth as possible so it’ll make our lives easier. I’ve collected a small jar, soaked in household bleach + water but I’m now worried about the checking in and transportation from one country to the other. Could anyone share with me your experiences, any tips or things I need to take note of? Will I be fined if I get caught at customs? Also, am I not allowed to check it in since it’s soaked in bleach? Pardon my questions I’m just totally clueless!
To my understanding from previous adelaide forum posts, teeth are normally collected from the dental clinics during first year of semester 1. They are then used in semester 2 (whether that be on manikins, drillings, etc.). I am fairly sure all details would be able to be clarified during the placement or program info session of orientation day on the 26th of Feb (or even when the official course begins on the 2nd March).
 

Tomato

Regular Member
Hi all, I’m an international student studying dentistry for the first time this year. Many seniors have encouraged us to begin collecting as much human teeth as possible so it’ll make our lives easier. I’ve collected a small jar, soaked in household bleach + water but I’m now worried about the checking in and transportation from one country to the other. Could anyone share with me your experiences, any tips or things I need to take note of? Will I be fined if I get caught at customs? Also, am I not allowed to check it in since it’s soaked in bleach? Pardon my questions I’m just totally clueless!
Most likely you need extracted human teeth for endo treatment (of course can be used for cavity prep and fillings). Normally you start canal prep with plastic blocks and then move on to human teeth. What many students do is to visit the local dental surgeries and ask if they can kindly keep some extracted teeth for you.
 
I heard that academic results are very important when applying for dental specialities (I know this is not the case for medical specialities). Some dental schools (dental specialities are taught by universities) explicitly stated on their websites that only top 5-10% of the cohort will get accepted into a dental speciality. Additionally, some students may want to sit the FRACDS exam in their final year of dental school which requires a lot of studies and preparation.
Hey, sorry I'm not going to CSU or anything but just wanted to ask what the FRACDS exam is for. Starting first year dentistry, just wondering how entry to specialisations work.
 

Unluckydude

Regular Member
Hey, sorry I'm not going to CSU or anything but just wanted to ask what the FRACDS exam is for. Starting first year dentistry, just wondering how entry to specialisations work.
RACD = Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons
Passing the FRACDS exam allows you to become a fellow.
Dental specialities are taught by universities. I think candidates are selected based on the following criteria:
-dental school academic results
-FRACDS exam results
-work experience (at least two years, you can't apply immediately after graduation)
-interview performance
-additional considerations?????? (eg: reference letters?????? evidence showing your committed to rural/aboriginal health????)

 

Registered  members with 100+ posts do not see Ads

laerla

Member
Hey, sorry I'm not going to CSU or anything but just wanted to ask what the FRACDS exam is for. Starting first year dentistry, just wondering how entry to specialisations work.

As some other people have said, the FRACDS exams are purely for you to become a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS). There are two different pathways, you can do a general one which is the MRACDS, the other one being FRACDS. But you can worry about this after you graduate, focus on graduating first.
With regards to the FRACDS's association with getting into specialties, back in the days, we get told that if you want to apply for specialisation, you have to at least sit the Primaries exam, which is part of the FRACDS pathway. However, I have a few friends who have got into specialties without doing Primaries, so I don't know if that actually still holds true.
 

Unluckydude

Regular Member
Also I forgot to mention the completion of professional development courses and research publications. But as Crow said, its would be nice if we could hear from Hutcherson.
 
Last edited:

Unluckydude

Regular Member
Melbourne university:

Entry requirements

  • An undergraduate degree in dentistry or equivalent.
  • At least two years’ full-time, continuous clinical work experience after graduation from dental school. This does NOT include an intern year.
  • Completion of professional development courses, postgraduate diplomas and a strong record in research publications would be highly regarded.
  • Evidence of meeting the English language requirements for registration with AHPRA. Students must have either General Registration or Limited Registration to undertake this course. International applicants who do not qualify for General Registration must fulfil the AHPRA language requirement by achieving IELTS Academic Test results of at least 7 in all categories. This IELTS test satisfies both The University of Melbourne entry requirement and the AHPRA English language standard for limited registration.
Selection criteria
  • Academic merit will be assessed over your entire undergraduate and postgraduate career. Places are strictly limited by the availability of clinical facilities. Hence an excellent academic record is essential as entry is likely to be extremely competitive. Most specialties only accept graduates in the top 5-10% of their graduating class.
  • You will need to nominate three professional referees and you will be interviewed either in person, by telephone or video link. You may also be required to undertake a pre-clinical practical test and/or be invited to observe in the clinic and meet current students.
  • Evidence of additional study will strengthen your application. Primary Fellowship examinations, a postgraduate diploma or higher degree, and/or active participation in continuing education in the desired area of specialisation would be well regarded.
  • International applicants will be given preference if aiming to undertake a full-time academic career after completing the DCD. You may already hold a teaching position in a university or teaching hospital, with a commitment to return on completing the course. If you cannot obtain a definite commitment to a teaching position a suitable letter of recommendation from the Dean indicating your potential for an academic career will be very helpful. The option of the MPhil degree, the PhD degree, or a combination of clinical specialty training in the DCD followed by the PhD degree, could also be considered.

Sydney:

Applicants must demonstrate commitment to the particular specialty that they are applying for, such as through participation in short courses or continuing education programs aligned to that particular specialty. In addition to these criteria, admission to this course requires:

  • at least two years general dental practice;
  • completion of the primary Fellowship Examination of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons or its equivalent is desirable;
  • all applicants must be registered with the Australian Dental Board for practice (limited registration for international candidates) prior to admission to the program.
All applications will be ranked according to academic merit after the application closing date. Successfully ranked applicants will be invited to participate in an interview with the Sydney Dental School. Some specialist programs also require applicants to sit an examination as a component of the admission process.

UOA:

* provide a short description of research interests and aptitudes;
* provide evidence of professional qualifications;
* provide details of employment history;
* provide 2 professional referees;
* provide a full CV including work history and publications.
Students applying for the following specialisations must complete an interview in person via phone or skype: - Periodontics - Oral Pathology - Endodontics - Paediatric - Special Needs and - Prosthodontic.
Students applying for the specialisation in Orthodontics must complete a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI, in person) and manual dexterity assessments. Strict quotas apply.
A completed Bachelor of Dental Surgery or equivalent or higher.
Applicants who hold a relevant Honours or Master's degree or equivalent will also be considered.

Applicants must have:
- at least two years of general practice AND an Honours (research training) degree; OR - successful completion of the Primary Examinations of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons; OR - successful completion of the Primary Examinations of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons (UK).

Griffith (only has Endodontics and Periodontics):

For admission to the Doctor of Clinical Dentistry, Australian and New Zealand applicants must:

hold a Bachelor degree in Dentistry or equivalent (five year program);
have a minimum of two years clinical experience post-graduation;
hold current registration with the Dental Board of Australia or Dental Council (New Zealand);
successfully complete an interview process.

UWA:

Admission requirements:


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) passed the Primary Examination for Fellowship or the MRACDS (GDP) for Membership of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, or equivalent, as recognised by UWA;

Ranking and Selection Process:

(a) personal statement addressing; research expertise; years of clinical experience and training; other relevant training;
and
(b) interview;
and
(c) two referees reports

UQ:

Hold an approved degree in dentistry from the university (or equivalent) with a minimum two years of graduate clinical experience and be registered as a dentist with the Dental Board of Australia.

The minimum GPA to be considered for admission into this program is 4.0. The GPA cut-off for those offered a place in 2019 was 4.657.

Limited places are available in each discipline and entry is determined using a competitive selection process based on academic records, other postgraduate qualifications, work and research experience since graduation, commitment to the discipline and referee reports.

Clinical Assessment Program Shortlisted - applicants will be required to undertake a Clinical Assessment Program at the School of Dentistry. Such applicants will be responsible for all travel and accommodation costs incurred in undertaking the assessment in Brisbane.

Otago:

Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) on the advice of the Faculty of Dentistry.

Student must have Bachelor of Dental Surgery or equivalent.

Candidates will be selected on the basis of their previous academic record (normally with a grade average of a B+ or greater), their graduate experience and academic achievements, their commitment to the specific discipline, evidence that they are committed to ongoing education, and reports from three referees.



---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Seems like FRACDS exam is not required for Griffith and UQ, and Otago,
UOA accepts research honours, but it is an additional research year after the 5 year dentistry degree. Not the basic dentistry degree offered by UQ and Latrobe.
 
Last edited:

Cal

vibe
Moderator
Melbourne university:

Entry requirements

  • An undergraduate degree in dentistry or equivalent.
  • At least two years’ full-time, continuous clinical work experience after graduation from dental school. This does NOT include an intern year.
  • Completion of professional development courses, postgraduate diplomas and a strong record in research publications would be highly regarded.
  • Evidence of meeting the English language requirements for registration with AHPRA. Students must have either General Registration or Limited Registration to undertake this course. International applicants who do not qualify for General Registration must fulfil the AHPRA language requirement by achieving IELTS Academic Test results of at least 7 in all categories. This IELTS test satisfies both The University of Melbourne entry requirement and the AHPRA English language standard for limited registration.
Selection criteria
  • Academic merit will be assessed over your entire undergraduate and postgraduate career. Places are strictly limited by the availability of clinical facilities. Hence an excellent academic record is essential as entry is likely to be extremely competitive. Most specialties only accept graduates in the top 5-10% of their graduating class.
  • You will need to nominate three professional referees and you will be interviewed either in person, by telephone or video link. You may also be required to undertake a pre-clinical practical test and/or be invited to observe in the clinic and meet current students.
  • Evidence of additional study will strengthen your application. Primary Fellowship examinations, a postgraduate diploma or higher degree, and/or active participation in continuing education in the desired area of specialisation would be well regarded.
  • International applicants will be given preference if aiming to undertake a full-time academic career after completing the DCD. You may already hold a teaching position in a university or teaching hospital, with a commitment to return on completing the course. If you cannot obtain a definite commitment to a teaching position a suitable letter of recommendation from the Dean indicating your potential for an academic career will be very helpful. The option of the MPhil degree, the PhD degree, or a combination of clinical specialty training in the DCD followed by the PhD degree, could also be considered.

Sydney:

Applicants must demonstrate commitment to the particular specialty that they are applying for, such as through participation in short courses or continuing education programs aligned to that particular specialty. In addition to these criteria, admission to this course requires:

  • at least two years general dental practice;
  • completion of the primary Fellowship Examination of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons or its equivalent is desirable;
  • all applicants must be registered with the Australian Dental Board for practice (limited registration for international candidates) prior to admission to the program.
All applications will be ranked according to academic merit after the application closing date. Successfully ranked applicants will be invited to participate in an interview with the Sydney Dental School. Some specialist programs also require applicants to sit an examination as a component of the admission process.

UOA:

* provide a short description of research interests and aptitudes;
* provide evidence of professional qualifications;
* provide details of employment history;
* provide 2 professional referees;
* provide a full CV including work history and publications.
Students applying for the following specialisations must complete an interview in person via phone or skype: - Periodontics - Oral Pathology - Endodontics - Paediatric - Special Needs and - Prosthodontic.
Students applying for the specialisation in Orthodontics must complete a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI, in person) and manual dexterity assessments. Strict quotas apply.
A completed Bachelor of Dental Surgery or equivalent or higher.
Applicants who hold a relevant Honours or Master's degree or equivalent will also be considered.

Applicants must have:
- at least two years of general practice AND an Honours (research training) degree; OR - successful completion of the Primary Examinations of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons; OR - successful completion of the Primary Examinations of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons (UK).

Griffith (only has Endodontics and Periodontics):

For admission to the Doctor of Clinical Dentistry, Australian and New Zealand applicants must:

hold a Bachelor degree in Dentistry or equivalent (five year program);
have a minimum of two years clinical experience post-graduation;
hold current registration with the Dental Board of Australia or Dental Council (New Zealand);
successfully complete an interview process.

UWA:

Admission requirements:


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) passed the Primary Examination for Fellowship or the MRACDS (GDP) for Membership of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, or equivalent, as recognised by UWA;

Ranking and Selection Process:

(a) personal statement addressing; research expertise; years of clinical experience and training; other relevant training;
and
(b) interview;
and
(c) two referees reports

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Seems like FRACDS exam is not required for Griffith and UOA accepts research honours.
UQ does it as well, and I don't think it requires FRACDS as far as I remember. But I don't think it would hurt.
 

Tomato

Regular Member
As some other people have said, the FRACDS exams are purely for you to become a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS). There are two different pathways, you can do a general one which is the MRACDS, the other one being FRACDS. But you can worry about this after you graduate, focus on graduating first.
With regards to the FRACDS's association with getting into specialties, back in the days, we get told that if you want to apply for specialisation, you have to at least sit the Primaries exam, which is part of the FRACDS pathway. However, I have a few friends who have got into specialties without doing Primaries, so I don't know if that actually still holds true.
What specialties do your friends study? Some unis may require either FRACDS primary exams or postgraduate qualifications (including Honours). Now MRACDS may be used as well.
 

Registered  members with 100+ posts do not see Ads

laerla

Member
What specialties do your friends study? Some unis may require either FRACDS primary exams or postgraduate qualifications (including Honours). Now MRACDS may be used as well.

Ummmm they are in different specialty programs in different unis in different state...that's probably as much as I will say lol
 

Unluckydude

Regular Member
What specialties do your friends study? Some unis may require either FRACDS primary exams or postgraduate qualifications (including Honours). Now MRACDS may be used as well.
It seems like only MRACDS fellowship (not the membership) can be used. Dentists need to wait for at least three years after graduation before they can apply for MRACDS membership, it then takes another two years to become a fellow. According to laerla, her friends got into specialities three years after graduation, so I don't think MRACDS was used in their cases.
 
Last edited:

laerla

Member
It seems like only MRACDS fellowship (not the membership) can be used. Dentists need to wait for at least three years after graduation before they can apply for MRACDS membership, it then takes another two years to become a fellow. According to laerla, her friends got into specialities three years after graduation, so I don't think MRACDS was used in their cases.

That's correct. My friends didn't sit any exams from RACDS at all
 

Registered  members with 100+ posts do not see Ads

Top