Postgraduate

Doctor of Dental Medicine

Home to WA's only tertiary Dental School, UWA has trained future dentists for more than 75 years. Taught by dedicated staff in state-of-the-art facilities, Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) students are trained for full registration as dentists upon graduation

Contact us

Address

Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

Telephone

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

Frequently asked questions

Careers and further study

Explore the career opportunities available to you.

Career Pathways

Following completion of this course, graduates will be able to register with the Dental Board of Australia as a dentist. Students may pursue career opportunities in private or public practice.
Following completion of this course, graduates will be able to register with the Dental Board of Australia as a dentist. Students may pursue career opportunities in private or public practice.

Further Study

Further postgraduate studies include the Graduate Diploma in Dental Public and Primary Health, Graduate Diploma in Forensic Odontology, Graduate Diploma in Health Professions Education, Higher Degree by Research Preliminary - Dentistry, Master of Dental Public and Primary Health, Doctor of Clinical Dentistry and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The UWA Dental School is also committed to providing quality professional development and research opportunities for graduates, and is pleased to partner with the Australian Dental Association (WA Branch) in providing high-level continuing professional development as part of the WA Dental CPD Committee.
Further postgraduate studies include the Graduate Diploma in Dental Public and Primary Health, Graduate Diploma in Forensic Odontology, Graduate Diploma in Health Professions Education, Higher Degree by Research Preliminary - Dentistry, Master of Dental Public and Primary Health, Doctor of Clinical Dentistry and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The UWA Dental School is also committed to providing quality professional development and research opportunities for graduates, and is pleased to partner with the Australian Dental Association (WA Branch) in providing high-level continuing professional development as part of the WA Dental CPD Committee.

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course.

Domestic Student Fees

Indicative annual course fee
2025
Commonwealth Supported Place $10,248.76

Eligible Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) students can use the HECS-HELP loan program to pay their tuition fees. For Full-Fee Paying (FFP) places, students are charged an annual course fee.

Find out more information about tuition fees, or visit the fee calculator for a more accurate cost.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

International Student Fees

Indicative first year fee
2024
$85,800.00
2025
$90,900.00

Find out more about tuition fees or visit the fee calculator for the estimated total course fee.

Note, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are subject to increase up to 7.5 per cent per annum.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Admission requirements

If you’re interested in furthering your career by studying this postgraduate course, find out the admission details below

Domestic School Leaver

School leaver entry to Dentistry for domestic applicants

Australian citizens (including dual citizenship holders), permanent residents and New Zealand citizens are domestic students.

You may be eligible to apply for a school leaver place if you are currently completing high school ATAR (or equivalent level studies) or on a gap year, and have not commenced in university degree studies or vocational training at diploma level or above.

Domestic school leaver entry is a competitive process based on ATAR or equivalent, UCAT ANZ score and an interview process.

Domestic School Leaver
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place. 

Graduate applicants require at least two successful years of full-time or equivalent degree studies undertaken in Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America. Applicants presenting with the IELTS Academic require an overall score of at least 7.0 and no band less than 7.0. For more information visit ELC requirements.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT
International School Leaver

Assured Pathway entry to Dentistry for international students

International school leavers do not hold Australian citizenship, permanent residency or New Zealand citizenship and are currently completing high school ATAR (or equivalent level studies) or a gap year, and have not commenced in university degree studies or vocational training at diploma level or above. Further information regarding International student status can be found below under the heading Which entry pathway is for me?

International school leaver entry is a competitive process based on ATAR or equivalent, ISAT score and an interview process.

International School Leaver
QUOTA ELIGIBILITY

Which entry pathway is for me?

Your quota eligibility will define your entry pathway, minimum requirements for consideration, as well as how you will apply. You will be ranked for course offers against other eligible applicants within your quota, and you may be eligible for one or more subquotas within this course. 
QUOTA ELIGIBILITY
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

Interview

The interview allows shortlisted candidates to display some of the personal qualities considered desirable in health care practitioners.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT
University graduate

Graduate entry to Dentistry

Bachelor degree holders or students who are in their first bachelor’s degree may be eligible to apply for graduate entry into the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD).

Graduate entry into the DMD is a competitive process based on GPA, GAMSAT (or equivalent) score and an interview process.

University graduate
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

Graduate entry: GPA calculation and accepted degrees

The selection GPA (sGPA) forms part of the eligibility and selection criteria for graduate entry into this course. The UWA Admissions team will calculate the sGPA. Applicants must meet the specified minimum sGPA to be considered for a place in this course.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

Eyesight Requirements

It is recommended to have an eye examination to determine any vision impairments which could interfere with the ability to succeed in the DMD course as well as in dental professional practice.

Vision impairments that can be corrected, such as by the wearing of eye glasses, should be arranged prior to commencement in the course.

Colour vision is integral to a number of dental tasks, for example colour shade matching dental crowns to natural teeth. Prospective applicants with colour vision impairment ("colour blindness") are advised to seek advice from an ophthalmologist to gain an understanding of any potential impact on their ability to work effectively as a dentist.

How to apply

The application process to the Doctor of Dental Medicine is different for the assured and graduate entry pathways, and for international and domestic applicants.

Refer to the below regarding application processes for each of the pathways to study the Doctor of Dental Medicine at UWA. More information regarding admission requirements and prerequisites for each pathway can be found on the 'Admission Requirements' tab.

Domestic Pathways to the Doctor of Dental Medicine

  • Domestic Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via TISC. Refer to TISC Online for current course codes and application deadlines. 
  • Domestic Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system

International Pathways to the Doctor of Dental Medicine

Course details

You'll be based at The Oral Health Centre of Western Australia, a high-tech dental teaching hospital and learning facility on the QEII Medical Centre campus. You will learn by treating patients under close supervision by highly experienced and skilled tutors, and by observing general and specialist dentists treating a wide range of dental conditions. Successful graduates will be able to register with the Dental Board of Australia as a dentist and enter the profession immediately.

About the course

The course consists of a total of 20 units within modularised streams covering comprehensive clinical care, Developmental & Behavioural Sciences, Diagnostic & Surgical Sciences and Restorative & Rehabilitative Sciences. DMD core modules cover fundamental dental and medical sciences. DMD clinical practice modules cover clinical dental sciences, including patient care, preventive and conservative dentistry, restorative dentistry, and child and adolescent dental health.
Doctor of Dental Medicine

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time only
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • The course will commence mid-January each year.
Weekly contact time
  • Students will be expected to commit to an 08.00 to 17.00 daily schedule. The first year of study will be 39 weeks in total.
Level of study
  • Postgraduate
Course Code
  • 91860
CRICOS code
  • 089787B
Doctor of Dental Medicine
Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time only
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • The course will commence mid-January each year.
Weekly contact time
  • Students will be expected to commit to an 08.00 to 17.00 daily schedule. The first year of study will be 39 weeks in total.
Level of study
  • Postgraduate
Course Code
  • 91860
CRICOS code
  • 089787B
Full time/part time duration
  • 4 years
Doctor of Dental Medicine

Important dates

Intake Periods
  • January
Application Open
Application Close
  • Domestic school leaver applications close end of September in line with TISC timelines.
  • International school leaver applications for 2025 commencement close 30 June 2024.
  • Graduate applications for domestic students close 31 May 2024.
  • Graduate applications for international students for 2025 commencement close 30 April 2024, with a second application round closing 30 June 2024.

Refer to Admissions Requirements for information on eligibility criteria and how to apply.

Course structure

Postgraduate coursework degrees and combined (coursework and research) degrees comprise a number of units. Refer to the course structure for more information.

Doctor of Dental Medicine students and the local community

Doctor of Dental Medicine

Top reasons to study Dental Medicine at UWA

  1. Home to WA's only tertiary Dental School, UWA has trained future dentists for more than 75 years. Taught by dedicated staff in state-of-the-art facilities, Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) students are trained for full registration as dentists upon graduation in the dental profession
  2. You will undertake real-world experience at the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia (OHCWA) as well as in the clinical placements in the Dental Health Services in Metropolitan and Rural areas and community settings.
  3. Following completion of this course, graduates will be able to register with the Dental Board of Australia as a dentist and enter the profession immediately. Graduates may pursue careers in private or public practice
 

Doctor of Dental Medicine

Doctor of Dental Medicine

Course accreditation

The Doctor of Dental Medicine (91860) is accredited by The Australian Dental Council (ADC).

Emma Turner

Emma Turner