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Dentists are healthcare professionals responsible for many things, such as
Dentistry courses in New Zealand generally last five years and are demanding both academically and technically. Dentistry students will study the cause, prevention, management and treatment of oral and dental disease, with the first year of study concentrating on basic medical and clinical knowledge in anatomy, physiology, oral biology and biochemistry. These academic studies will continue throughout the degree, but practical work under supervision will begin to be carried out towards the end of the first year.
According to a study by the National Institutes of Health, the demand for dentists is projected to grow by 6% from 2021 to 2031. This means that the demand for dentists is higher than average, which shows a great future career for students willing to pursue the profession.
BDS is a five-year undergraduate full-time program that provides skills, knowledge, practice, and training in all aspects of dentistry. Students can also specialize in specific areas according to their interests. The NZQF level of the course is 7. To be eligible for BDS in NZ, one must pass and finish Health Sciences in the first year at Otago University. It prepares you for the health professional program.
To get into the program, applicants must have a 70% or above rating in the University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand. The CBT allows universities to choose candidates with the best competencies to excel as future doctors and dentists. After completing BDS in New Zealand, students can enter general practice independently or work in clinics or hospitals (private/government).
BDS (Hons) is an undergraduate program in dentistry for students who have achieved a higher level of academic performance and excellence in dental studies. The curriculum for dentistry in New Zealand comprises requirements for the first, second, third, and fourth-year courses for the prescribed Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree and the fifth-year paper. Students will cover many disciplines, such as periodontics, oral surgery, oral pathology, growth and development, etc., along with research projects and clinical experiences.
Also known as dental technicians, they work closely with the dental care team and don’t have direct contact with the patients. They design and construct artificial teeth in various forms and removable orthodontic appliances. This course provides training in the technical side of dentistry where a dental technician, under the supervision of dentists, creates any prosthetics or apparatus, such as artificial teeth. Dental technicians work with their hands and require precision and eye coordination. The person demands a high level of responsibility and accuracy.
BDentTech (Hons) is an undergraduate program focusing on studying dental technology. The course involves designing, fabricating, and maintaining dental prosthetic devices and appliances, such as dentures, bridges, crowns, and orthodontic devices. The BDentTech (Hons) course curriculum usually includes courses in dental materials, dental anatomy, dental laboratory techniques, CAD/CAM Technology, dental ceramics, and more. Students are taught the technical skills needed to work in dental laboratories.
A postgraduate program in dentistry aims to provide recent graduates with broad multidisciplinary research experience and clinical practice. Specialties include oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral medicine, endodontics, and orthodontics.
The MDS offers graduate training in different disciplines in dentistry. The program's main aim is to prepare graduates to become dental specialists. It involves developing critical analysis, research skills, and advanced clinical skills that will be recognized for specialist registration.
MCom Dent is a degree designed for people who wish to pursue a dental public health career. The program fosters the development of critical analysis and research competence, along with an advanced set of knowledge and skills. Students will learn about clinical skills, first in simulation classes in the Faculty of Dentistry’s cutting-edge simulation laboratory and then in inpatient sessions. The curriculum involves many clinical disciplines, such as periodontics, oral medicine, oral pathology, pediatric dentistry, etc.
The Master of Oral Health is a full-time program where students learn about advanced knowledge, skills, and attributes in dental therapy and dental hygiene practice. Students will also develop a high level of clinical research. The curriculum involves learning and developing specific technical and clinical skills to practice oral health therapy. The program teaches oral healthcare strategies, such as scaling, polishing, cleaning, and maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
The Master of Dental Technology is a dental technical degree program that studies dental technology. It consists of 500-level papers with a thesis. The curriculum teaches students about different prosthodontic techniques at an advanced level.
The Doctorate of Clinical Dentistry provides graduate training in orthodontics, a discipline in dentistry. The course curriculum comprises clinical research and practice that prepares students to be advisory consultants or practitioners in their chosen area of specialization. The program consists of two papers with clinical practice and a schedule of supervised research, leading to the submission of the thesis.
The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is an admission test used in the selection process of universities in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore. The test is conducted to shortlist applicants for medical and dental degree programs, testing their sense of aptitude and attitude. The UCAT consists of five subsets, which include four cognitive tests and one testing your professional demeanour. The section is categorized into verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, abstract reasoning, decision-making, and situational judgment.
|
Section |
Description |
Questions/Test Time |
Scores |
|
Verbal reasoning |
Evaluates comprehension and interpersonal skills |
44/21 minutes |
300-900 |
|
Decision making |
Examines critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. |
21/31 minutes |
300-900 |
|
Quantitative reasoning |
Examines numerical and problem-solving abilities |
36/25 minutes |
300-900 |
|
Abstract reasoning |
Assess logical and pattern-recognition skills |
50/12 minutes |
300-900 |
|
Situational judgment |
Evaluates judgment and decision-making skills in real situations |
69/26 minutes |
Bands 1-4 |
Many universities in New Zealand offer scholarships for international students, including government-funded, university-specific, and private scholarships.
|
Scholarship |
Offered by |
Value |
|
Helen Macmillan Brown Bursary |
University of Canterbury |
NZ$ 2500 |
|
Latin American Academic Achievement Scholarship |
Victoria University of Wellington |
NZ$ 5000 |
|
AUT Doctoral Scholarships |
Auckland University of Technology |
NZ$ 30000 |
|
AUT International Scholarships - South Asia |
Auckland University of Technology |
NZ$ 5000 |
|
Foo Chin Dental Student Scholarship |
University of Otago |
NZ$ 2000 |
Studying dentistry in New Zealand prepares graduates for various roles in the dental and healthcare sectors. Dentists can work in private practice, public healthcare, or specialized fields like orthodontics, periodontics, and oral surgery. Other career options include dental hygienists, dental therapists, and dental technicians, focusing on preventive care, patient education, and creating dental prosthetics.
Graduates can also pursue roles in dental research, academia, and public health, contributing to advancements in dental science and community oral health initiatives. Opportunities exist in healthcare administration and management, overseeing dental clinics or departments, and roles in dental product development and sales, working with companies to innovate and market dental technologies and products.
New dentistry professionals can expect varying salary ranges based on their specific roles, locations, and types of employment. General dentists can expect starting salaries between NZD 70,000 and NZD 120,000 per year, with the potential for higher earnings as they gain experience and specialize. Dental hygienists and therapists typically start with salaries ranging from NZD 60,000 to NZD 80,000 annually.
Dental technicians usually begin their careers earning between NZD 50,000 and NZD 70,000 annually. Specialists such as orthodontists, periodontists, and oral surgeons can expect starting salaries from NZD 120,000 to NZD 200,000 per year, though achieving these positions requires additional training and experience.
To learn more about the best dentistry courses in New Zealand, find details of New Zealand's top ranking dentistry universities:
If you want to learn more about studying for a dentistry degree at a New Zealand university, arrange a free consultation with SI-New Zealand today.
The University of Otago is the best for dentistry studies in New Zealand. The faculty of dentistry offers undergraduate, postgraduate, doctorate, and doctoral diplomas in various disciplines, such as dental technician, oral health, dental science, clinical dentistry, etc.
Studying dentistry in New Zealand can be beneficial for international students in many ways. Due to its dental care needs, NZ has high career opportunities and earning potential. Overall, plenty of opportunities are available for dental education students in New Zealand.
Candidates who have completed their BDS can earn depending on their experience and skills learned. However, the average annual salary for dentist jobs in New Zealand can range between NZ$140,000 to NZ$160,000.
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