Bachelor of Health Science (Oral Health)

Oral health is vital for our general health. By successfully completing this oral health degree you can practise as an oral health therapist.

If you successfully complete the Bachelor of Health Science (Oral Health) you can register as an oral health therapist with the Dental Council of New Zealand. Graduates provide oral health assessment, diagnosis, management, treatment and preventive care for patients within the oral health therapy scope of practice.

You gain experience in our oral health simulation laboratory, and clinical experience at AUT’s oral health clinic and community oral health clinics in Auckland and around New Zealand. You also work on oral health promotion projects in communities around Auckland and gain valuable workplace experience in the field of oral health.

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Minimum entry requirements

If you have New Zealand qualifications

  • University Entrance or equivalent
  • Must be capable of meeting Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCA Act) and Children’s Act 2014 requirements, including police clearance
  • Preference will be given to applicants with Biology and one subject from Classical Studies, Drama, English, Geography, Health Education, History, History of Art, Media Studies, Social Studies, Te Reo Māori or Te Reo Rangatira

Ranking of applicants will occur. Preference will be given to applicants with the highest level of academic achievement and/or evidence of accomplishments in the relevant field.

Applicants with English as a second or other language who have not completed at least three years of secondary schooling in NZ will be required to meet IELTS requirements.

If you have qualifications from another country

See entry requirements for students from other countries. Select your country from the dropdown menu.

English language requirements

  • IELTS (Academic) 7.0 overall with all bands 6.5 or higher

English language requirements

Year 1

Semester 1

You study a number of courses to prepare for academic study and the field of health sciences.

Semester 1 courses

Semester 2

You'll learn more about human anatomy and the integral role it plays in oral health therapy practice.

The course Introduction to Oral Health Practice will be the foundation for your oral health knowledge including prevention and management of dental diseases.

The course Oral Health Promotion gives you an opportunity to work firsthand with the community, including an education programme that you plan, evaluate, resource and implement.

Semester 2 courses

Year 2

You continue to build on your foundation skills in oral health through lectures, tutorials, case study application of knowledge as well as pre-clinical and clinical education.

You'll learn pharmacology, explore health research methods and learn more discipline specific knowledge in oral biology and pathology.

Assessment and treatment of patients in the Niho Ora ki Manukau (Oral Health Manukau) clinic at AUT and the wider Aotearoa New Zealand community start in Semester 2.

Complete the following courses

Year 3

You complete your pre-clinical training and start to undertake clinical activities both on and off site. Your clinical environments have been designed to reflect the oral health environments you’re likely to encounter once you graduate.

To ensure ‘work readiness’, you will undertake your oral health courses as well as courses focused on health law and professional practice and ethics. You also complete a 15-point elective course so you can pursue an area of interest.

Complete the following courses

You also need to complete a 15-point elective course.

Workplace experience in the oral health degree

Throughout your study you complete over 1,000 hours of clinical learning to prepare you for professional registration. There’s an emphasis on practical experience, including clinical experience at AUT’s on-campus oral health clinic, private practices and DHB clinics.

In your final year, you complete a community placement in New Zealand or internationally.

Want more info about work integrated learning at AUT?

Read more about workplace experience in AUT programmes, how it works and why it’s so beneficial when you start your career.

Workplace experience in AUT programmes

By successfully completing this degree you can register as an oral health therapist with the Dental Council of New Zealand.

Your qualification is recognised in Australia.

You could work in:

  • District health boards (DHBs)
  • Private, general or specialist practice
  • Oral health promotion
  • Education sector
Oral-Health-A4-21-10-15.jpg

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Oral Health Careers

Quick facts
Programme code:
AK3113
Level:
7
Points:
360
Duration:
3 years full-time
Campus:
North Campus
Starts:
3 Mar 2025

Key semester dates
Fees
Domestic
$8,435 - $12,400 (for 120 points)
($7,289 - $11,254 tuition fees + $1146 student services levy)
International
$46,746 (for 120 points)
($45,600 tuition fees + $1146 student services levy)
  • Fees shown are based on a full-time workload for the points indicated next to the fee. The exact fee charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment.
  • Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for study beyond the current year, fees may vary from those stated.
  • There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay.
  • International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition. Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.
  • Fees-free study may be available for domestic students

Scholarships

The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.

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