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1. Are international students eligible to apply?

Yes. International students are encouraged to apply (except for Oral Medicine which is restricted to New Zealand residents and University of Otago graduates).

The University of Otago International Office can help you with any queries you may have regarding the application process, scholarship information and eligibility criteria for postgraduate studies.

2. Will I be able to practise dentistry in New Zealand if I complete a DClinDent?

Completion of postgraduate study does not automatically enable you to work as a dentist in New Zealand. You must first complete the Dental Council of New Zealand's registration examinations.

DClinDent graduates may be able to register as specialists in their qualifying discipline but will not be able to practise within the broader scope of general practice dentistry without first fulfilling the criteria of the DCNZ.

I want to practise in New Zealand (DCNZ website)

3. What are the fees?

Visit the Otago fees webpage for questions relating to course fees

4. Are scholarships available?

Scholarships are provided and administered by the Graduate Research School, not the Faculty of Dentistry.

The University of Otago scholarships webpage has more information.

Note that scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis according to GPA and publication record.

5. When will decisions be made?

Generally, we hope to have all decisions made by the end of August in the year prior to the course commencing.

To help us make good and timely decisions, it is important that applicants take care to supply all of the required documents as soon as possible and to make sure that CVs, Essays and Referee's Reports are relevant to the application.

6. How many positions are offered?

This can vary from year to year. Generally we will offer 1–4 positions in each discipline, however this is dependent on the availability of staff and resources so as to ensure that the excellent standard of our training is maintained.

7. What are you looking for in an application?

The DClinDent is a highly sought-after programme. The Faculty of Dentistry gets many more applicants than it can accept each year.

Admission to the programme is based on a number of factors. Applicants must have a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) or equivalent degree. Candidates will be accepted on the basis of their academic records, evidence of commitment to both education and their chosen discipline, as well as their clinical expertise and experience.  Two years clinical experience is the expected minimum.

Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) on the advice of the Faculty of Dentistry.

Every applicant shall have fulfilled one of the following conditions:

  • Have been admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Dental Surgery of a university in New Zealand, or
  • Have been admitted with the status of one who is entitled to proceed to the degree

Candidates will be selected on the basis of their previous academic record (normally with a grade average of a B+ or greater), their graduate experience and academic achievements, their commitment to the specific discipline, evidence that they are committed to ongoing education, and reports from three referees.

Initial admission to the degree programme shall normally be provisional, and shall be confirmed after attaining at least a B+ grade in each of the first year papers (CLDN 910 and CLDN 920).

If admission to the degree programme is not confirmed, then either the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) may approve provisional admission for a further period of up to one year or the candidate shall be required to enrol for another qualification or withdraw. If, after a period of extension, admission is not confirmed, the candidate shall be required to enrol for another qualification or withdraw.

Candidates for admission to the conjoint programmes with MB ChB (disciplines of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Medicine) must be approved by both the Faculty of Dentistry and Otago Medical School on the recommendation of the Board of Studies for the integrated programmes.

8. How much clinical experience is required?

Generally a minimum of two years' clinical experience (preferably three) with a substantial exposure to the discipline that one is applying for.

9. When do applications open and close?

Application dates – Please be advised that applications for the DClinDent open on 1 April and close on 31 May of the year prior to study.

If vacancies remain a second round of applications may be accepted between July 1 and July 31.

An 'apply now' button will appear on the DClinDent regulations page when the application period is open.

When you click the button, you will be prompted to fill in an application via our eVision portal.

10. When does the course start?

The DClinDent Programme starts on or about the Monday closest to 22 January each year.

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