In order to practice dentistry in Victoria, you must be registered with the Dental Practice Board of Victoria. To register with the Board you must have a recognised qualification from an approved university, or have passed the Australian Dental Council (ADC) examination.
Generally, the only dental graduates who are immediately entitled to apply to be registered as dentists without first successfully passing the ADC examination are dental professionals holding the qualifications of Bachelor of Dental Surgery/B Dent or Bachelor of Dental Science from universities in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Usually, registration will not be granted to a foreign graduate until he or she is a resident of Victoria and holds a visa approved for employment.
If you are currently living overseas:
Contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. Information relating to the general skilled migration program, including requirements for assessment of skills and qualifications, is available in the General Skilled Migration booklet. This booklet can be purchased from your Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.
If you are currently in Australia:
For information regarding working visas and/or residency in Australia, please contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship on 131 881 or visit the website at www.immi.gov.au Information relating to the general skilled migration program, including requirements for assessment of skills and qualifications, is available in the General Skilled Migration booklet.
ADC examinations
The Australian Dental Council (ADC) is the organisation responsible for assessing overseas educated dentists to enable them to obtain registration in Australia.
Overseas educated dentists are eligible to undertake the ADC examination procedure if they have obtained a dental degree which included at least four years’ full-time academic study at a university recognised by the ADC and are registered as a dentist in their country of training or practice.
The examination must be taken in order of the following 3 parts:
- Occupational English Test (OET)
- Preliminary Examination (Multiple choice questions and short answer questions)
- Final Examination (Clinical)
To find out more about the ADC examinations please visit the ADC website.
Dental Practice Board of Victoria
The Dental Practice Board of Victoria (DPBV) is a statutory body. It was originally established by the Dental Practice Act 1999 and came into existence on 1 July 2000. On 1 July 2007 the Health Professions Registration Act 2005 (the Act) came into force, replacing the Dental Practice Act. The Board’s powers are determined by the Act.
In general, the functions of the DPBV are to:
- Register suitably qualified dental care providers in Victoria (thus entitling them to practise).
- Investigate their professional conduct and fitness to practise.
- Regulate the standards of practice in dental care.
Dental care providers include:
- dentists and specialists
- dental prosthetists
- dental therapists
- dental hygienists.
The DPBV also grants registration to students to enable them to complete their course of study in dental care. Students of OTC will need to apply for temporary registration once accepted into the program. Assistance with this process will be given through the OTC office.
To register with the Dental Practice Board of Victoria (DPBV) you can go to the DPBV website at www.dentprac.vic.gov.au/applications.asp, fill out the forms and submit them online. Alternatively you can call the DPBV on +613 9694 9900.