Doctor of Clinical Dentistry

This course is offered in seven specialty areas: Endodontics, Oral Medicine, Orthodontics, Paediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, Special Needs Dentistry.

COURSE AIMS

• To provide the opportunity to advance your knowledge and skills in a specialist area.
• To engage with new and emerging fields of study.
• To facilitate the advanced development of clinical, academic and research skills necessary for you to further your career in specialty practice, academia or research.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

On completion of the DCD course, you should be able to:

1. demonstrate proficiency and special skills in the provision of clinical services applicable to the specialty
2. demonstrate a detailed understanding of the principles, current developments and research methods applicable to the specialty
3. conduct an original scientific investigation into a biological, clinical or community health problem; and
4. communicate the results of scientific enquiry.

http://www.dent.unimelb.edu.au/dsweb/future_students/postgrad/doc_clin_dent4.html

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Entry Requirements

• An undergraduate degree in dentistry.
• At least two years full-time, continuous clinical work experience after graduation from dental school.
• Completion of professional development courses, postgraduate diplomas and a strong record in research publications would be highly regarded.

Selection Criteria

• Academic merit 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 accept only graduates in the top 5-10% of their undergraduate class.
• You will need to nominate three professional referees and you will be interviewed either in person or by telephone.
• 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. It may not be possible to obtain a definite commitment to a teaching position; in these cases, a suitable letter of recommendation from a Dean indicating your potential for an academic career will be very helpful. The option of the MDSc degree by major thesis (two years full time, not leading to a clinical specialty) and the PhD degree, or a combination of clinical specialty training in the Doctor of Clinical Dentistry followed by a PhD degree, should also be considered.

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You could reasonably expect to have acquired the following generic skills by the conclusion of this course:

• advanced understanding of the changing knowledge base of a specialty;
• ability to evaluate and synthesize research and professional literature;
• highly-developed problem-solving abilities characterized by flexibility of approach;
• superior capacity to articulate knowledge and understanding in oral and written presentations;
• advanced understanding of the international context and sensitivities of the specialist area;
• ability to design, conduct and report original research;
• capacity to manage competing demands on time, including self-directed project work;
• profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship;
• ability to offer leadership in the specialist area;
• capacity to value and participate in projects which require team-work;
• understanding of the significance and value of their knowledge to the wider community (including business and industry);
• capacity to engage where appropriate with issues in contemporary society;

and possibly,

• advanced working skills in the application of computer systems and software and a receptiveness to the opportunities offered by new technologies.