Bachelor of Health Science
Oral Health
Graduates of this degree will be able to practise all scopes of dental therapy and dental hygiene practice. Practitioners can work in all dental settings - schools, hospitals, community clinics and private practices. They are able to independently prescribe and administer oral health care to patients up to 18 years old, and provide periodontal care for adult patients, in consultation with a dentist. The AUT Bachelor of Health Science - Oral Health degree aims to improve New Zealanders’ oral health by producing highly-qualified graduates.
On-campus learning includes pre-clinical experience in a laboratory setting and clinical experience in a newly-developed on-campus clinic, and in community dental clinics and private practices. At least half of the three years’ learning is focused on clinical practice.
WHAT THIS PROGRAMME COVERS
Year One
Students are introduced to basic human sciences and learn about health in New Zealand with an emphasis on communication skills, health promotion in general and the oral health setting specifically. Pre-clinical skills are practised and students progress on to procedures introduced in the AUT Oral Health clinic.
Year Two
Students continue to study human sciences with particular emphasis on the oral cavity. They engage in assessment and treatment of patients on and off-site. Health research methods are introduced and students undertake research and health promotion projects.
Year Three
Students are expected to become competent in dealing with patients’ needs and study health law and ethics. There is a 15-point choice paper so students can pursue an area of particular interest.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
An oral health practitioner in private and public health settings - the worldwide shortage of oral health professionals makes this a transportable qualification.
PAPERS
YEAR ONE
555101 Psychology and Lifespan Development
555103 Interpersonal Skills for Health Professional Practice
555321 Human Structure and Function
555338 Health in the Context of Aotearoa/New Zealand OR
555339 Māori Health and Development
555604 Introduction to Oral Health Practice
556606 Oral Health Promotion
YEAR TWO
526176 Human Biological Science
556607 Oral Health I
556608 Oral Biology and Pathology
556609 Oral Health Assessment
557224 Professional Practice and Ethics
YEAR THREE
556301 Intermediate Research
527872 Māori Health Promotion OR
557221 Health Law and Policy
557609 Oral Health II
557610 Oral Health III
775617 Introduction to Epidemiology OR an approved 15-point paper
Te Ara Hauora Māori - PAPERS
Students who seek careers with a Māori development perspective should select:
555339 Māori Health and Development (instead of 555338 Health in the Context of Aotearoa/New Zealand): and both
527872 Māori Health Promotion AND
567431 Applied Primary Māori Mental Health as electives or alternative course of study.
Te Ara Hauora Māori students are supported to form relationships with Māori health providers and communities, and AUT Māori staff and students.