UWA Handbook 2026

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) a structured interview in which eligible applicants will be assessed on the personal qualities considered desirable in Dental Specialists, with invitation to attend the interview based on personal statement addressing; research expertise; years of clinical experience and training; other relevant training;

and

(b) two referees' reports

(c) 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: DENT5603, PUBH4401 and DENT6849 (18 points)

(2) 24 points from one specialisation consisting of all Theory Parts 1 and 2; and Clinical Practice Parts 1 and 2 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. To make satisfactory progress, a student must pass all units in the previous teaching period and have no outstanding Failed Component (FC) outcomes; for linked units with assessment continuing into a subsequent unit, satisfactory progress for the carried-forward components is based on the subsequent unit's recorded outcome. An FC result is treated as a fail and blocks enrolment in any subsequent or linked unit that relies on the failed component.

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. The School, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners, may assign a progress status of 'On Probation' or 'Excluded' to a student who does not make satisfactory progress under Rule 8.

(1) The School, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners, may assign a progress status of 'On Probation' or 'Excluded' to a student who does not make satisfactory progress under Rule 8.

(2) Unless it determines otherwise in light of exceptional circumstances, the School, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners, assigns a progress status of 'On Probation' to a student who fails to make satisfactory progress under Rule 8. The progress status 'On Probation' will result in the entire academic year being repeated.

(3) Unless it determines otherwise in light of exceptional circumstances, the School, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners, assigns a progress status of 'Excluded' to a student who fails to make satisfactory progress under Rule 8 and has previously repeated a unit in the course.

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) A student must enrol in units to the value of at least 48 points in any academic 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) Following a period of approved leave of one year in the following specialisations: Oral Medicine, Periodontics, Endodontics and Paediatric Dentistry, students retain credit for all units previously passed.

(2) If a student enrolled in any of the specialisations fails to pass a unit during any of the three academic years, the student must repeat that year.

(3) A student may apply for the Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry upon withdrawal, as long as all prerequisites have been met.

(4) If a student specialising in Orthodontics or Prosthodontics is required to take leave from the clinic for more than the 10 sessions permitted under 19.4, and is unable to make up these sessions, resulting in their patients being transferred to other providers for continuity of care, they would need to restart the entire course or withdraw.

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.

Infection Control Requirements

20. Upon entry and during their enrolment students must comply with the Dental School's Infection Control Requirements as appended to the UWA Policies on Admission and Student Enrolment

National Police Clearance

21. At admission and intermittently during enrolment, students must provide a clear current Australian National Police Clearance or equivalent certification, and comply with other mandatory checks and certifications.

Apply First Aid

22. At the time of enrolment students must show first aid competence equivalent to assessment requirements for HLTAID003, valid for no more than three years

Supplementary assessment

23. The Board of Examiners will not provide an opportunity for supplementary assessment to a student who —

(a) fails more than two units in any calendar year

or

(b) fails a deferred or supplementary examination

or

(c) has a progress status of 'On Probation'.