INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE AND VISITING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
ELECTIVE PROGRAM FOR INTERSTATE/OVERSEAS STUDENTS
Program Co-ordinator: Professor Michael Burrow, email: mfburrow@unimelb.edu.au
Program Enquiries: Ms Michelle Trebilco, email: lmtreb@unimelb.edu.au
1. ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible to undertake the program, you would normally be about to enter the final year of your course.
2. QUOTAS
In general, no more than four Dental Science students and no more than two Dental Hygiene/Therapy students can be accepted into the program at the same time.
3. AVAILABILITY
The Dental Science program can generally be undertaken between mid-January and the end of October and the Dental Hygiene/Therapy program between mid-February and the end of October, but at all times is subject to clinic and staff availability.
Places are offered in order of receipt, so completed applications should be sent at least 9-12 months before the date of the proposed visit.
4. DURATION AND CONTENT
Placements in the program range from 1-4 weeks.
Clinical Work
Dental Science students can be involved in clinical procedures in Casualty, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Surgery, Radiography, Periodontics, Preventive and Operative (Restorative) Dentistry (i.e. treatment that can be provided in the short term and therefore not Prosthodontics.)
Dental Hygiene students can be involved in procedures in any aspects of dental hygiene practice including: patient examinations, radiography, periodontics, fissure sealants and other preventive procedures, and oral health promotion.
Dental Therapy students can be involved in any aspects of dental therapy practice including: patient examinations, radiography, periodontics, operative (restorative) dentistry, exodontia of deciduous teeth, fissure sealants and other preventive procedures, and oral health promotion.
All prospective visiting students should note however, that due to a shortage of chairs, it may not always be possible to actually treat patients.
Research Project
If you wish to undertake a research project, the duration of your placement will need to be negotiated with an appropriate supervisor at the Melbourne Dental School as ethics approval may be necessary which can take up to several months.
If you wish to undertake a survey or other work relating to a research project from your home University, you may need to obtain ethics approval from your university before the commencement of your placement. Further approval may also be required from the University of Melbourne.
5. STEPS TO TAKE TO CONFIRM YOUR PLACEMENT
- Complete and sign the University of Melbourne, Melbourne Dental School Application for Elective Placement form (MS Word 68kb) and then have an authorised officer at your institution sign it.
- Obtain a letter from that authorised officer stating that you are a current enrolled student and that the placement at the University of Melbourne, Melbourne Dental School is part of your course.
- Prepare your curriculum vitae.
- Send all three documents - the letter from your institution, the completed application form and your curriculum vitae - to Ms Michelle Trebilco c/- the Melbourne Dental School.
You must ensure that these documents are received by Ms Trebilco at least 4 weeks before your placement commences. Students who do not send any documentation and just present at the School for a placement, may not be accepted.
- Contact your nearest Australian Government Representative office to find out the type of visa you require for your visit to the School. If the visa requires supporting documentation from the School, please contact Ms Trebilco as soon as possible.
- Obtain a police check. As most hospitals and clinical agencies in Victoria require Police Record Checks for all students, staff and volunteers who will come into contact with children, elderly and vulnerable people, all visiting dental and dental therapy/hygiene students, both local and international, are also required to obtain a check.
- Contact Ms Trebilco to schedule an appointment with Professor Burrow on the day before you commence your placement.
On your arrival you will need to take the following steps:
- Complete the "Student Statement of Compliance" form relating to the Faculty policy on Infectious Diseases (refer to point 6 - Conditions). A copy of this form and the policy will be provided to you on your arrival or you can download them from the link in point 6.
- Complete an “Application for Provisional Registration as a Student in Victoria” for the Dental Practice Board of Victoria (DPBV). You will be provided with a copy of this document or you can download one from the following site: www.dentprac.vic.gov.au/docs/reg_stu.pdf. Professor Burrow or one of the School's other academics, will authorise that form for you.
- Take the completed and authorised DPBV form to the DPBV. A map showing its location will be provided to you.
- Show your police check.
Both the "Student Statement of Compliance" and the DPBV "Application for Provisional Registration as a Student in Victoria" MUST be completed or you will NOT be permitted to enter the clinics.
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6. CONDITIONS
Personal Health Insurance
You must ensure you have adequate personal health insurance to cover any medical emergencies as visiting health professionals.
The University of Melbourne Policy on Infectious Diseases
The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences policy document on infectious diseases is available here: Infectious Disease Policy. Please read this carefully and arrange to have the necessary testing done and the student statement of compliance signed and delivered to the Melbourne Dental School office by the first day of your placement. This can be faxed to + 61 3 9341 1599.
If this statement is not signed and returned to the School within 24 hours of your placement commencing, you will only be permitted to observe classes and clinics. Otherwise, you can attend lectures seminars, laboratory classes and clinics.
Please note however, that due to the limited availability of chairs at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and its risk management policy, you may only be able to undertake limited patient treatment during your placement.
7. OTHER INFORMATION
Credit
Credits for work undertaken before arrival are not required, and credits for work completed during the elective program are not provided by The University of Melbourne.
Certificate
A certificate indicating that you have undertaken an elective placement at the School can be provided on request.
Financial Assistance
No financial assistance can be provided. You will be expected to cover all financial costs yourself, including accommodation and travel.
Accommodation
You will need to arrange your own accommodation. Information on accommodation available on and around the University campus, can be found at the following website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/housing/
Clothing
Visiting students are required to observe standards consistent with the privilege of treating patients. You are constantly under scrutiny, not only in the clinics, but generally as you move about the public thoroughfares of the Dental School/Hospital building. You should dress professionally when in the building and present for serious business as dental illness is serious to patients.
The following clothing/footwear MUST NOT be worn in any clinic: jeans, faded, frayed or dirty clothing, brief tops/skirts/shorts, excessively low cut trousers, sporting attire, sneakers, suede shoes, thongs, sandals or any open-toe shoe.
Protective Clothing
For infection control purposes, dental gowns are provided by the School for use in the clinics. These gowns must be worn in the clinics even if you are only observing clinical work and must be disposed of in the "dirty linen bags" provided, upon leaving the clinics.
Eyewear
You will need to bring your own protective eyewear as this is required in patient treatment areas and the Preclinical Laboratory.
Social Activities
There are many opportunities to pursue interests and join in social activities through the student society at the Melbourne Dental School (the MDSS, website: http://www.melbdental.org.au/) and the university's student clubs.
The University is located on the city fringe in an area famous for its cafes, gardens and shops with a distinctly Italian flavour.
For information on what you can do in and around Melbourne, please refer to the following website: http://melbourne.citysearch.com.au/.