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Please note that on 29 August 2023, this page was updated to reflect the current regulation that successful applicants in the Graduate or Alternative categories who have not completed the HSFY papers or equivalent will be required to complete a prescribed course of study before being admitted to second-year Dentistry.

Overview

Why study Dentistry?

Dentistry is a challenging profession that combines a high degree of manual dexterity and precision with a thorough understanding of craniofacial biology and pathology, and excellent communication skills. The dentist can diagnose and carry out treatment planned to each patient's oral needs. If you are considering a career as a dentist, you should be prepared for lifelong learning to maintain your practicing standards. As a graduate there are opportunities for full-time or part-time work in New Zealand or overseas (registration limitation may apply when practicing overseas), and opportunities include private general or specialist practice, academic careers, or hospital-based practice.

Dentistry is about much more than teeth: it is the art and science of the maintenance of all aspects of oral health. It is about all the oral, upper jaw, and facial tissues, and the recognition that good oral health is important for good general health.

Entry requirements

The Dental  Admissions Committee considers applications from candidates in the following categories:

University of Otago Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) category

To be considered for admission in the HSFY category an applicant must have enrolled in HSFY at Otago and passed all the prescribed papers for this programme, at first attempt, and have achieved a minimum average of 70%, with no paper grade less than 65%.

Applicants must have a UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) result obtained in the year of application and have a score in all five of the UCAT sections at a threshold level determined annually by the Dental Admissions Committee.

Applicants must have passed the HSFY English Diagnostic Test or have passed ENGL 128.

Approximately 300 applicants across all admissions categories will be invited to undertake an interview. The main round of interviews will be conducted by Zoom during the week 2–6 October 2023.

The final determining factor for selection for an applicant who has met all three admission criteria will be academic score; see scoring example:

You can contact us via the AskOtago Service Portal if you have any questions.

HSFY checklist

Graduate category

To be considered for admission in the Graduate category, applicants must have completed, in the minimum academic time and within three years of the date of application, the requirements of a degree (as outlined below) awarded by a university in New Zealand.

All applicants in the Graduate category are ranked on the basis of a score derived from the grades achieved in:

  • A bachelor's degree,
    or
  • A bachelor's honours degree,
    or
  • A bachelor's degree, followed by a postgraduate diploma or postgraduate honours' year

No preference is given to degree qualification or major subject.

The qualifying degree is the first university degree awarded to the applicant.

The score for candidates applying is based on the following:

  • Papers are given a weighted academic score and are ranked
  • Total points scored would be as per the requirement for the relevant degree (typically 360 points for a three-year degree)
  • Using the regulations for a standard three-year Otago Bachelor's degree as an example, the admission score would be calculated as follows, in order of precedence:
    • Best scoring (maximum of) 120 points at 300-level
    • Best scoring of 200-level and 100-level papers to 360 points
    • With 100-level papers weighted x 0.5, 200-level papers weighted x 1.0, and 300-level papers weighted x 1.5

Please refer to the scoring example below to get an indication of your weighted GPA score.  Please note that your weighted GPA score will be confirmed as part of the application process in December, and that this spreadsheet is for example purposes only.

Due to the scoring system for admission to Dentistry, we are not able to score papers that have a pass / fail grade, nor are we able to score aegrotat passes.

Applicants who are offered a place in second-year Dentistry, and are missing the first-year papers (or their equivalent) listed in the BDS schedule, will be required to undertake a prescribed course of study. When the Dental Admissions Committee offers a place, applicants will be advised which papers they must complete, as well as the grades that must be attained in order to be eligible to be admitted to second year Dentistry.

Applicants must have a UCAT result obtained in the year of application and have achieved a score in all five of the UCAT sections at a threshold level determined annually by the Dental Admissions Committee. Approximately 300 applicants across all admissions categories will be invited to undertake an interview.

The interviews for University of Otago-enrolled applicants will be conducted by Zoom during the week 2–6 October 2023. Applicants from other universities or applicants who are not currently enrolled at a university will be interviewed in November.

The final determining factor for selection for an applicant who has met all three admission criteria will be weighted academic score; see scoring example.

You can contact us via the AskOtago Service Portal if you have any questions.

Graduate category checklist

Alternative category

To be considered for entry under the Alternative category a candidate must meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • Hold a degree from a New Zealand university and no longer eligible under the Graduate category;
    or
  • Have completed a degree at an overseas university at a standard of at least NZQF Level 7;
    or
  • Hold a master's or doctoral degree
  • Demonstrate health-related professional experience in a relevant field to a standard acceptable to the Admissions Committee

Applicants who are offered a place in second-year Dentistry, and are missing the first-year papers (or their equivalent) listed in the BDS schedule, will be required to undertake a prescribed course of study. When the Dental Admissions Committee offers a place, applicants will be advised which papers they must complete, as well as the grades that must be attained in order to be eligible to be admitted to second year Dentistry.

An applicant must have a UCAT result obtained in the year of application and have achieved a score in all five of the UCAT sections at a threshold level determined annually by the Dental Admissions Committee. Approximately 300 applicants across all admissions categories will be invited to undertake an interview.

The interview will be conducted by Zoom during the week 2–6 October 2023 or in November 2023. Not all applicants will be selected for interview.

Places on the programme are limited so offers will be determined by the calibre of students who meet all admissions criteria.

The Dental Admissions Committee will not enter into any correspondence regarding application outcomes.

Alternative category checklist

Sub-categories

Te Kauae Parāoa is the policy on admissions for domestic students to the health professional programmes offered by the Division of Health Sciences. This policy supersedes the Mirror on Society Selection Policy.

Te Kauae Parāoa promotes and facilitates equity for students from underrepresented priority groups with the aim to produce a workforce that represents the communities it serves to improve health outcomes for all.

Applicants may also be considered in one or more of the following sub-categories:

  • Māori
  • Indigenous Pacific
  • Socioeconomic Equity
  • Refugee Background
  • Rural

An applicant in either the Māori, or Indigenous Pacific, or both of these sub-categories requires verification of ancestry by the University. You can apply for verification of ancestry from the 'My details' section of your eVision portal, and we would encourage you to request this as soon as possible if you are intending to apply for the health sciences professional programmes, to minimise delays in processing your application.

Māori sub-category

Applicants wishing to be considered under the Māori sub-category must indicate this at the time of application by ticking the Māori sub-category box in the online application. Using the form below, applicants will also be required to complete and upload a written personal supporting statement.

Māori – Supporting Statement form (PDF)

In order to be eligible for the Māori sub-category your ancestry needs to be verified by the University. You can apply for verification of ancestry from the 'My details' section of your eVision portal.

Successful applicants from the Māori sub-category are required to attend a mihi whakatau (greeting) at the commencement of classes in Dunedin. Whānau are welcome and encouraged to attend.

It is recommended that students wishing to apply under the Māori sub-category attend a relevant information session held by the Division of Health Science Māori Health Workforce Development Unit (MHWDU) and/or contact the MHWDU to arrange a meeting with staff or for further information:

Email mhwdu@otago.ac.nz

New Zealand Resident Indigenous Pacific Origins (NZRIPO)

An application via the NZRIPO sub-category requires verification of ancestry for one or more of the following Pacific nations:

  • American Samoa
  • Cook Islands
  • Federated States of Micronesia
  • Fiji
  • French Polynesia
  • Hawaii
  • Kiribati
  • Marshall Islands
  • New Caledonia
  • Niue
  • Palau
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Rapanui (Easter Island)
  • Rotuma
  • Samoa
  • Solomon Islands
  • Tokelau
  • Tonga
  • Tuvalu
  • Vanuatu
  • Wallis and Futuna

Applicants wishing to be considered under the NZRIPO sub-category must indicate this at the time of application by ticking the NZRIPO sub-category box on the application form.

In order to be eligible for the NZRIPO sub-category your ancestry needs to be verified by the University. You can apply for verification of ancestry from the 'My details' section of your eVision portal.

Using the form below, applicants must also complete and upload:

  1. An endorsement of your application by a leader of a Pacific Island Community Group
    and
  2. A written personal supporting statement (500-word limit) giving your reasons for applying under the NZRIPO sub-category.  Please explain your understanding of the NZRIPO subcategory, and outline your commitment to and interest in the health of the Pacific Island Community in New Zealand

New Zealand Resident Indigenous Pacific Origins (NZRIPO) endorsement and statement form (PDF)

Successful applicants from the NZRIPO sub-category are expected to be connected and contribute to the Health Sciences Pacific support network.

It is highly recommended that students wishing to apply under the NZRIPO sub-category contact the staff in Va'a o Tautai – Centre for Pacific Health:

Email vot@otago.ac.nz

Socioeconomic Equity sub-category

To be eligible for the Socioeconomic Equity (EQ) Project, you must be a domestic student who has attended a New Zealand secondary school that was decile 1, 2 or 3 until 2023, or has an Equity Index (EQI) number of 479 or greater. You must have attended during Years 11, 12 and 13 within the last five years.

You can apply for Dentistry under the Socioeconomic Equity sub-category via the HSFY or Graduate categories of admission.

Applicants wishing to apply under the Socioeconomic Equity sub-category must indicate this at the time of application by ticking the Socioeconomic Equity sub-category box in the online application and provide the following supporting information:

  • An official letter from your secondary school(s) confirming its EQI number of 479 or greater (or decile 1–3 until 2023) and your enrolment in years 11, 12, and 13 within the last five years. Email your school letter to health-sciences@otago.ac.nz and EQ.project@otago.ac.nz
    School letter template (PDF)

    and
  • Using the form below, write a personal statement (500-word limit) explaining your understanding of the reasons for the Socioeconomic Equity sub-category, how socioeconomic background impacts practice as a health professional, and of your aspirations and commitment to make a positive contribution to the health needs of lower socioeconomic communities.
    Socioeconomic Equity Supporting Statement form (PDF)

It is strongly recommended that students wishing to apply under the Socioeconomic Equity sub-category contact the Division of Health Sciences, EQ Project team (Raukaha Workforce Development - Kōhatu Centre for Hauora Māori).
Email eq.project@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/equity Note: Successful applicants from the Socioeconomic Equity sub-category are expected to maintain engagement with the EQ/Raukaha team throughout their studies.

Refugee Background sub-category

In order to apply under the Refugee Background sub-category you must have either been granted refugee status in New Zealand, or have a parent(s)/primary guardian(s) who has been granted refugee status in New Zealand. The Refugee Background sub-category applies to all categories of admission.

Applicants wishing to apply under the Refugee Background sub-category must indicate this at the time of application by ticking the Refugee Background sub-category box in the online application and providing the following supporting information:

If you are applying as a person who has been granted refugee status then you must provide:

Either

  • Certified copies of your Certificate of Identity or your passport confirming refugee status and Permanent Residency.
    or
  • A letter from Immigration New Zealand confirming your status as a permanent resident was obtained on the basis of being a refugee. This must include your full legal name and date of birth.
    or
  • A letter from Immigration New Zealand confirming that you are a former refugee and that you have applied for residency. This must include your full legal name and date of birth.

Link to Immigration NZ website to request letters

If you are applying as a child or dependent of a parent(s)/primary guardian(s) who was granted New Zealand Residency as a refugee, you must provide:

  1. A letter from Immigration New Zealand confirming that your parent(s)/primary guardian(s) was granted NZ residency via on the basis of their status as a former refugee. This letter must include their full name and date of birth. If Immigration NZ is not able to provide such a letter, equivalent official documentation can be submitted and will be considered for acceptability. Please contact Dr Jo Oranje in the Health Sciences Divisional Office for advice.
    Email jo.oranje@otago.ac.nz

    and
  2. A document that confirms they are your parent(s) / primary guardian(s), for example your birth certificate, a joint passport, or adoption papers.

Using the form below, your application under the Refugee Background sub-category must include a personal supporting statement (500-word limit) outlining your understanding of the Refugee Background sub-category, how your refugee background will impact your practice as a health professional, and your commitment to the health of former refugees.

Refugee Supporting Statement form (PDF)

It is strongly recommended that students wishing to apply under the Refugee Background sub-category contact the Refugee Background subcategory support person, Dr Jo Oranje, in the Health Sciences Divisional Office:

Email jo.oranje@otago.ac.nz

New Zealand Rural Origins sub-category

In order to apply in the New Zealand Rural Origins equity group, candidates for admission must:

  • Have undertaken a minimum of four years of their pre-tertiary education at a school in a rural area of New Zealand
    or
  • Have resided in a rural area of New Zealand for a minimum of four consecutive years following the completion of their secondary education
    or
  • Have undertaken a combination of pre-tertiary education at a school in a rural area of New Zealand and residence in a rural area of New Zealand, for a minimum of four consecutive years

Applicants wishing to have their New Zealand Rural Origins status considered with their application must indicate this at the time of application by ticking the New Zealand Rural Origins equity group box in the online application.

Applicants must provide the following supporting information:

either

  • An official letter from the pre-tertiary regional / rural education institution they attended, outlining:
    • The duration of their study,

      and
    • The physical location of the institute

or

  • A statutory declaration, made before an authorised person, confirming residency of four years or more in a rural location (this declaration must specify which years are being claimed as the four qualifying years). A statutory declaration can be used for your residential address only. It cannot be used to confirm school attendance.

An authorised person is a person listed in the Oaths and Declarations Act 1957 as able to take declarations. This person could be a:

Students within New Zealand may wish to check justiceofthepeace.org.nz for a list of Justices of the Peace in their area. Students from remote areas who do not have access to anyone in the approved categories should visit the AskOtago Service Portal for advice.

For applications based on a rural residential address or attendance at a rural school(s) the University classifies rural as per the Geographic Classification for Health (GCH). For the purposes of this policy, applicants will be eligible if the address or school(s) on which the rural sub-category application is based on, is classified within Rural 1–3.

Using the map image in the link below, you can undertake an informal check of the classification of the residential area provided in your application.

It is important to note that this should be considered as a guide only. The Statistical Area 1s (SA1s) of the residential address and/or the school(s) provided will be checked against the GCH database during the assessment of your application. If your application is found to not be eligible under the rural category you will be notified, and your application will be processed under the general category.

Students will not be bonded after graduation.

Application process

New and returning students are required to complete their application through eVision, which combines both your admissions and enrolment into the University of Otago, and your programme application.

You should apply in the first instance to the 'Health Sciences Undergraduate Professional Programmes' and then select 'Dentistry' from the list.

If you have any questions regarding your application please contact AskOtago:

Tel 0800 80 80 98 (from within New Zealand)
Tel +64 3 479 7000 (from overseas)
Email ask@otago.ac.nz
facebook.com/otagouniversity
Visit the AskOtago Service Portal

Supporting documentation

For details regarding other required documentation, consult the appropriate checklist available at the end of each main category of admission section.

Application deadlines

Applications open 1 August.
Applications close 15 September.

Outcome of application

You will be advised of the outcome of your application no later than 11pm (New Zealand Time) on 18 December.

Accepting or declining offers

If your application is successful and you receive an offer, this will include a deadline for accepting or declining it. If you do not respond to your offer by this deadline, the offer will be lapsed.

Please think carefully before making your decision; once you have declined your offer there is no opportunity to have the offer reinstated.

What is the waiting list?

If your Outcome of Application indicates that you have been placed on the waiting list, you will be contacted should a place become available. Separate waitlists are maintained for each Health Sciences Undergraduate Professional Programme.

You could be offered a place from a waiting list right up to the time classes begin. It is important that you continue your enrolment process for any alternative programme of study you may be considering. If you are on a waiting list and it is confirmed that there are no available places in the programme, you will be notified and your application declined.

Deferral of entry

Requests for a deferral for entry to the following year will be considered on the basis of serious medical grounds or other exceptional circumstances.

Candidates who are approved deferral on medical grounds or exceptional circumstances will be required to provide evidence that they are able to resume study.

To apply for a deferral of entry please complete and return the deferral form (PDF)

Deferrals will only be granted for a maximum period of one academic year.

Applicants must have their personal and financial affairs in order when they apply so that if their application is successful, they are able to take up a place at the start of the first semester.

English language requirements

Admission to the programme shall be subject to applicants meeting an English language requirement as determined by the Dental Admissions Committee, dependent on the category under which the application is made.

International students

International students are defined as all those students who require a student visa to study in New Zealand. In any given year, a limited number of places in second-year Dentistry may be available to international students.

Should an international student's residency status change prior to notification of the application outcome, they must notify the AskOtago Service Portal immediately and will have to compete for admission with other domestic students.

Important dates

  • Online application closing date: 15 September
  • Outcome of application sent by: 18 December

Second-year start dates

Applicants offered a place into the programme will be advised of the date for the following:

  • Mihi whakatau
  • Introduction day

Introductory classes are compulsory. Students who fail to attend classes on the start date risk losing their place.

Health and disabilities

Please contact the University of Otago's Manager of Disability Information and Support, or visit the AskOtago Service Portal, if you have a health condition and/or disability that may affect whether or not you are able to meet the requirements of the programme or obtain professional registration.

Any applicant who has a mental or physical condition that could adversely affect their fitness to practice or is found to have failed to declare a condition may be declined admission to the programme by the Dental Admissions Committee on the recommendation of the Health and Conduct Review Group. Any offer of admission made before responses to medical requests or requests for information regarding an applicant's health status have been received is conditional on the information received confirming the applicant's suitability for admission.

Criminal offences

Any applicant who is, or has been, the subject of criminal convictions, or is, or has been, subject to disciplinary proceedings of a tertiary institution or professional body, or is found to have failed to declare a matter may be declined admission to the programme by the Dental Admissions Committee on the recommendation of the Health and Conduct Review Group. Any offer of admission made before responses to requests for information regarding an applicant's past conduct have been received is conditional on the information received confirming the applicant's suitability for admission.

As some convictions may prohibit registration, applicants are advised to consult the regulations of the registering professional body:

All applicants must consent to verification from the New Zealand Police and Department of Courts that there are no undeclared criminal charges or convictions.

Health and Conduct Review Group

The Health and Conduct Review Group considers a student's suitability for admission to a Health Sciences Professional Programme in regards to fitness to practice issues.

Health and Conduct Review Group – Terms of Reference (PDF)
Health and Conduct Procedure (PDF)

Children's Act 2014

The Children's Act 2014 is aimed at providing better protection for vulnerable children. One of the ways it aims to do this, is “safety checking”.

If you will work with vulnerable children – as part of a specified organisation that provides regulated services – the Act requires you to be “safety checked” at least once every three years.

The safety check involves:

  • Identity verification
  • New Zealand Police vetting
  • Reference checking
  • An interview
  • A risk assessment

Applicants who enter the programme will receive further information regarding the timing of these checks.

Further information

University of Otago Child Protection Policy
Oranga Tamariki (Ministry for Children)
Children's Act Requirements (Oranga Tamariki website)

Culturally-sensitive issues

All students must participate in laboratory, practical, and clinical activities, including those that may be unusual in some cultures. In Dentistry, some aspects of the teaching will require individuals to practise certain techniques on each other that may involve partially undressing or body contact with other students. Training occurs under close supervision and all students are required to participate, as it is essential for their acquisition of clinical skills. Please contact Dr Jo Oranje in the Health Sciences Divisional Office if you would like to discuss how your cultural values can be taken into account.

Email jo.oranje@otago.ac.nz

First aid certificate

All candidates who accept a place into Dentistry must have a certified copy of an appropriate New Zealand first aid certificate before the start of the programme.

Applicants must gain this qualification through an NZQA-registered training provider who is authorised to assess NZQA first aid standards.

The certificate should include at least NZQA Standard 6401 and 6402, but students are recommended to obtain a qualification which includes the higher NZQA Standard 6400.

The following are a selection of recommended training course:

Immunity status

All applicants who are offered and accept a place to the second year, or any subsequent year, of Dentistry, will be required to provide evidence of their serology status.

Because of the nature of their practice, health professionals are required to take steps to ensure they neither acquire infections from their patients nor transmit infections to patients.

Immunity testing arrangements will be made known during December, preceding the start of the programme. It is the responsibility of the applicant to cover all costs associated with completion of immunisation screening and vaccinations.

Please refer to the Infectious Diseases Policy for Health Professional Students (PDF) for further details regarding immunity status.

Domestic place numbers

The maximum number of domestic student places available across all admissions categories for 2024 is 60.

Special examinations and adjusted paper marks

Applications from students sitting special examinations will be placed on hold until the special examination results are released. Once you receive your special examination results you must immediately advise the AskOtago Service Portal to ensure the processing of your application is completed.

As we do not receive special examination results automatically, it is applicants' responsibility to inform us of the results of special examinations, or adjusted paper marks, as soon as they become available.

Programme content

What will I study?

Study commences in the second year Bachelor of  Dental Surgery (BDS). There are three themes that run through the entire course.

In  second year the largest theme is Biomedical  Sciences, which lays the scientific foundations  in anatomy, physiology, and oral biology for the  introductory clinical work you will undertake  in the second theme, The Dentist and the  Patient. In the third theme, The Dentist and the  Community, you will learn about public health  dentistry and about how to further develop  your communication skills.

In  third and fourth year  the Dentist and  the Patient is a major component of the  curriculum. Here you will develop your  clinical skills, initially in simulation sessions in our cutting-edge simulation laboratory, and then in patient sessions. You will cover  a wide range of clinical dental disciplines  including prosthodontics and clinical cariology, endodontics, periodontics, paediatric dentistry, orthodontics, oral medicine, oral surgery, and special needs dentistry.

To underpin your increasing clinical  experience the Biomedical Sciences papers  will cover general and oral pathology, growth  and development, medicine, surgery, and therapeutics; while in The Dentist and the  Community you will explore epidemiology  and determinants of oral health and culture,  and ethnicity and oral health.

Second-year papers

Third-year papers

Or:

  • DENT 364 Dentistry in the New Zealand Context *

* DENT 364 is available only for approved students admitted under the International Medical University Partnership Programme and having previously passed appropriate courses; students who pass the paper will be credited with the first-, second-, and third-year courses of the programme.

Fourth-year papers

Fifth-year papers

Careers

What can I do when I graduate?

Dental graduates have career opportunities in New Zealand and overseas. Dentists are in demand all over the world.

Some graduates opt to work in private practice, while others join the defence force or work in hospital clinics. Dentistry can be a financially-rewarding career, offering independence and flexibility, in terms of working hours and type of practice.

Many dentists specialise and undertake postgraduate study available in all areas of dentistry including orthodontics (straightening teeth) and oral surgery.

Regulations

Regulations for the Degree of Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)

Disclaimer

The University of Otago makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web pages. However the matters covered, including the availability and structure of courses, are subject to regular review and no warranty or representation can be provided regarding the accuracy of such information, and the University does not accept liability for any losses or damage arising directly or indirectly from reliance on the information.

While the University of Otago takes all due care in implementing the regulations, policies, and procedures that relate to the admissions process, it reserves the right to correct any administrative errors that may occur.

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