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 the university oral health simulation laboratory, and clinical experience at AUT’s oral health clinics 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.

Workplace experience

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.

• Certified copy of your birth certificate or passport
• Certified copy of marriage certificate (If required)
• Official academic transcripts
• English Language Proficiency (If Available)
• CV/Work experience (If required)
• A copy of the document(s) in the original language/and official English translation

1_ All applicants need to meet AUT’s minimum entry requirements qualification equivalent to New Zealand year 13 or University Entrance.

High school qualifications from different countries:

India: 

• 12 years of schooling with an overall average of 75% in four academic subjects, including a min 60% in English from the All-India Senior Certificate (AISSC).
• All other Higher Secondary State Board Examinations require an overall average of 80% in four academic subjects with a min 65% in English.

China:

• Senior High School graduation plus one year of successful study at bachelor's level; or
• Senior High School graduation plus completion of a two-year diploma, with good grades, at a recognized university.
• A Tier 1 score in the National University Entrance Examination (Gaokao) at a recognized institution

2_ Must be capable of meeting Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCA Act) requirements and Children's Act 2014, including police clearance

3_ 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.

Foundation programmes

If you don’t have the academic qualifications needed for direct entry into an AUT programme, you can enroll in a foundation programme.

If you successfully complete the foundation programme and get the required grades, you are guaranteed entry into an appropriate AUT programme.