UMelb UMelb Dentistry: Entry Questions and Discussion

[theillestill]

You might be able to drink wine out of a bottle if you have a paper bag. Not sure though.

 

[lizhnik]

I know very little about the post-graduate program since they haven't really revealed anything to us yet:

1) Pathophysiology - for what we did, pathology was based around computer assisted learning for basic pathology (ex. Paget's, Cushing's etc.) and we have tutorials with tutors for specific things like oral anatomy, pathology, etc. but it's definitely not based around small group learning.

2) Don't know about sydney - you would be better off asking someone who's gone to both

3) Grading is based on the H1/H2a/H2b/H3/P/F model - which has no correlation with normal distribution. That being said, for most science classes the majority of the class sits at an H1/H2a level, but for dental subjects, around a H2b/H3 level.

4) OMFS is currently being remodelled into being run by the RACDS and not individual universities. From what I've heard, they're saying now you complete your dental degree (5 years or 4 years post-graduate) and then a medical degree (post-graduate 4 years) and apply in based on your RACDS exam results. Not sure which one would be a "better school" for OMFS considering that RACDS will run OMFS programs.

5) Research courses = mostly populational studies and only very few experimental studies since it's very hard to get results in the limited amount of time we have to do research. Not sure about paid RA work.

6) Melbourne's quiet but has apparently got better nightlife. If you want beaches - go Sydney. It is illegal anywhere to engage in public drinking to my knowledge.

Thank you! I checked some residency websites and for most, i.e. perio, they want you to be in the top 5-10% of the class. I feel that is pretty much impossible. So what happens if you graduated from UMelb, got a job as an associate dentist, but feel you need more training in something like endodontics but are not competitive for endo residency? Is there perhaps a general practice residency where you could work at a dental clinic and get mentored in certain procedures of your choice by the specialists? I mean if you're going to open your own general dentistry practice, you should be more skilled than an average dentist. I read somewhere on these forums that UMelb dent grads dont get to do any 3rd molar root canals. I would imagine they are even less trained in cosmetic work. So how does a new grad become an expert?

 

[theillestill]

I don't think many people anywhere do 3rd molar root canals considering that most of these are exo'd these days.

If you're not in the top 5-10% but you still want to specialty, you've simply got to make up for it with extracurricular/research activities related to that field - ex. Doing a research MDSc in something that's related to endo for example.

GPRs technically don't exist here - unless you decide to work at a dental hospital (ex. RDHM) after graduation for 40k a year, where you do rotations through endo, perio, OMS, peds as well as general practice, but it's not a formal thing.

Cosmetic work is something you don't actually get "trained" in. You learn to do better cosmetic work over time - and clinical demonstrators can only give you suggestions on how to improve your cons skills over time.

 

[theillestill]

There's also CPD courses every year geared towards general dentists that want to learn to do more endo. You'll become more proficent at it, but you wouldn't be able to market yourself as an endodontist.

 

[lizhnik]

Thank you! How popular is it to work at RDHM after graduation for 1 year? Would the specialists actually mentor you while you practice the more advanced procedures such as apiectomies or even doing implants? Would it be easier to find a job as an associate at a private practice in the same city where you went to dental school or it doesn't matter?

 

[lizhnik]

...

 

[theillestill]

I personally wouldn't know how many people do it a year - but I'd say it's less than 5.

You do short rotations through each specialty - I believe you'd be under the supervision of a specialist in each rotation.

There's a 1 year Diploma that is a full on course that does implant training offered by Melbourne, but I doubt you'll learn to place implants during your short rotations.

I don't believe that just because you graduate from Melbourne you'd get a job in Melbourne - but you may be able to use alumni connections to find a job elsewhere.

 

[lizhnik]

Thank you!

 

[shenshenlili]

whats the post graduate dentistry entry criteria. GPA score, gamsat score and interview. all weigh evenly?

 

[theillestill]

you'll have to take a look at the melbourne dental school website.

www.dent.unimelb.edu.au

 

[shenshenlili]

I had a look already and all the post grad dental course requires B dent at least. I am looking for something like Sydney uni dentistry

 

[Mana]

I think the entry requirements for that are on their site, perhaps. We don't exactly have any Sydney Dentistry people on here...

 

[theillestill]

It depends what you're talking about when you mean "post-grad dentistry"

1) Post-graduate entry undergraduate dentistry courses - Ex. new melbourne DDS, BDent (usyd) which requires GAMSAT, GPA, etc. that require you to have completed a program - but still considered an undergraduate course.

2) Post-graduate programs - which entail you're doing a dental specialty (orthodontics, endodontics, etc.) that will require a undergraduate dental degree (DDS, Bdent, BDSc are all considered undergraduate dental degrees) and minimum of 2 years of working experience.

Hope that helps.

 

[shenshenlili]

I am looking for option 1 in Melbourne university . their new DDS is for someone who has a Bdent already.
[h3]DMISSION REQUIREMENTS[/h3]
You must hold the BDSc (or equivalent) degree, or in exceptional circumstances another qualification (e.g. BSc) that is recognised by the Faculty as appropriate. You must have held this degree for at least four years before commencing the DDSc.

 

[theillestill]

That's the DDSc not the DDS.

DDSc = Doctor of Dental Science - it's a research degree.

You're looking for the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)

DDS = new post-graduate entry undergraduate dental degree (like the BDent or current BDSc)

 

[theillestill]

https://www.dent.unimelb.edu.au/dsweb/future_students/dds/index.html

 

[shenshenlili]

https://www.dent.unimelb.edu.au/dsweb/future_students/dds/index.html

thanks for the link and infor there, however, it doesnt really state the minimum requirement for the gpa and gamsat. i am just worried about my gpa.

 

[shenshenlili]

also.. when i was reading the selection criteria, i am confused about one thing.
Selection Criteria

To apply you need to have:

• Successfully completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline at any Australian or recognised international university.
• Completed prerequisite second year subjects (one each - 12.5 points) in anatomy, physiology and biochemistry.
  (The prerequisite subjects are part of the core program of the Bachelor of Biomedicine course and are available as subjects in the Bachelor of Science course at the University of Melbourne.)

does that mean you have to complete one of these subject before you can even think about to apply? unfortunately, I did physio and i didnt study so much about biochemistry and physiology. so does that mean i can not apply to DDS?

 

[theillestill]

It's a new program so I don't think anyone knows exactly what GPA is required.

However - I'd check the GAMSAT website cause they have .pdfs that deal w/ minimum requirements for other programs like BDent @ USyd.

I would presume it'd be similar to USyd in requirements.

 

[theillestill]

You have to check if any of your subjects qualify - which may preclude you from doing DDS at melbourne unless you take another 3 courses.