Dentistry is an important part of the health service. It offers a rewarding and worthwhile career to anyone who has an interest in and a concern for the needs of people, an even temperament and a sense of precision. As a profession Dentistry gives an unusual opportunity to contribute to appearance, well-being and general health. One of its great attractions is its emphasis on caring for people and encouraging them to find the means to care for themselves. 

Below is a typical curriculum of a 5 year university course in Dentistry.

Dental Science

First Year
Dental Studies 1 
This subject covers the following areas: behavioural science - dentistry in the community and psychology; biostatistics; introductory preventive dentistry and community dental health; introductory clinical dental science; growth studies; dental materials science; and introduction to emergency medicine. 

Oral Anatomy 1
This subject covers topographical anatomy of the oral cavity and comparative dental anatomy. 

Anatomy 1
This subject covers the structure, organisation and development of the human body, with emphasis on the clinically important aspects of anatomy; introductory anatomy including osteology, radiological anatomy; and anatomy of the thorax and abdomen. 

Dental Biology 
This subject is divided into three parts: (i) Cell and Animal Biology; (ii) Histology; and (iii) Developmental Biology. Cell and Animal Biology covers cell biology; functional anatomy of a vertebrate; parasitic and venomous animals; ecological systems. Histology covers light and electron-microscopic structure of cells and the basic tissues of the human body; structure of blood vessels, skin and exocrine glands. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between structure and function. Developmental Biology/Embryology covers mammalian reproduction; embryo formative processes; foetal-maternal relationships and the development of the basic tissues of the human body; the development of the cardiovascular system; practical work includes dissection of representative vertebrates; invertebrate animals with emphasis on parasitic or toxic organisms. 

Chemistry (Dental Science)
The major topics covered by this subject are as follows: physical and chemical properties of organic substances; reactions of the functional groups found in biological molecules; basic chemistry of biological macromolecules; the structure of biological membranes; metal ions in biological systems; elementary bonding theory; electrolyte chemistry; introduction to aspects of chemical kinetics and thermodynamics applied to biologically-important molecules and systems; and elementary UV-visible spectroscopy. 

Second Year
Dental Studies 2 
This subject covers the following areas: preventive dentistry and community dental health; growth studies; clinical dental sciences; dental materials science; cariology; oral function and occlusion; oral biology; operative dentistry; and periodontology. 

Oral Anatomy 2
This subject covers the following areas: embryology, development and developmental abnormalities of the craniofacial region; the development and molecular biology, histology, ultrastructure and physiology of the oral and dental tissues; and introduction to forensic odontology. 

Topographical Anatomy
The aim of this subject is to give students an understanding of the structure and organisation of the head and neck and includes developmental and functional perspectives. Emphasis is placed on those areas of clinical relevance to dentists. 

Neuroscience 
This subject covers the following: the development, structure and function of the human nervous system with emphasis on the neural basis of sensory and motor behaviour, including vision, hearing, touch, as well as the control of posture and the movements of the limbs, hand, head and eyes; the organisation of the cerebral cotex, the hypothalamus and limbic system; the regional anatomy of the nervous system; and the organisation of the sensory and motor systems. 

Biochemistry
The major topics covered by this subject are as follows: thermodynamics and homoeostasis of living systems; digestion of food ingredients; the structure, function and metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids; specialised functions of biomembranes, particularly in relation to bioenergetics and ion transport; intracellular mechanisms controlling biochemical processes; specialised topics including the structure and function of immunoglobulins, basic principles of gene structure and expression and metabolic disorders with a genetic basis; separative and analytical procedures in modern biochemistry relevant to Dental Science; experimental design and factors which influence the significance of results; computer-based data handling and analysis; interpreting biochemical data; conducting literature searches. 

Physiology 
This subject covers the following areas: principles of physiological integration; the interface between tissue cells and the internal environment; biophysics of excitable and contractile tissue; the physiology of mammalian organ systems: circulation of blood, respiration, electrolyte balance, digestion and absorption, sensation and movement; and the coordination of bodily functions by hormonal and neural mechanisms. 

Third Year
Dental Studies 3 
This subject covers the following areas: community dental health; preventive dentistry; growth studies and orthodontics; radiography and radiology; introductory medical and surgical principles; local analgesia; operative dentistry; periodontics; endodontics; removable prosthodontics; general practice and diagnosis and treatment planning; and occlusal analysis and clinical practice. 

Microbiology 
This subject covers the following areas: microorganisms and their role in human infection; principles of host resistance, immunity and hypersensitivity; indigenous oral flora of humans; and control of microbes: disinfection, sterilisation, asepsis and chemotherapy. 

Pathology
This subject covers the following areas: major concepts of general pathology (including disorders of growth and neoplasia, inflammation and repair, circulatory disturbances); a survey of the special pathology of the major organ systems; and pathology of the connective tissues and the effects of failure in major organ systems. 

Pharmacology 
This subject covers the following: principles of pharmacology and mechanisms of action of drugs in common use in dentistry and medicine; route of administration, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs; principles of selective toxicity; drug interactions and toxicology; drug dependence; and drug schedules (Poisons Act). 

Fourth Year
Dental Studies 4 
This subject covers the following areas: clinical oral therapeutics and oral medicine; radiography and radiology; oral diagnosis and treatment planning; applied behavioural science; preventive dentistry, gerodontics, community dental health, growth studies and orthodontics; applied basic sciences; fixed prosthodontics; periodontics; paediatric dentistry; endodontics; oral and maxillofacial surgery; removable prosthodontics and general practice. This subject also includes a component on a supervised, group research project. One session of three hours per week is allocated in second semester in fourth year and first semester in fifth year for completion of the research project. Further information on the project and facilities is provided by the supervisors. 

Oral Pathology
This subject is an extension of the third year pathology course, with special reference to the pathology of the oral and related structures; systemic influences on the development of oral and dental structures; the pathology of teeth and their supporting structures; the pathology of the jaws, the salivary glands, temporomandibular joints and associated structures due to local and distant causes; and the pathology of oral diseases correlated with clinical and radiological features. 

Medicine 
This subject covers the following: common medical problems and diseases, diagnosis and treatment; and diseases of particular importance to dentists, including infective endocarditis, hepatitis, bleeding diseases and acute and chronic cardiac and respiratory disorders. 

Surgery
This subject covers the following areas: surgical pathology of acute and chronic infection; immunity, control of infection, asepsis and sterilisation; antibiotics and surgical infection; surgical shock, the control of haemorrhage; surgical aspects of fluid and electrolyte balance; wound healing and wound management; principles of respiratory support; methods of pain relief; surgical affections of face, mouth, nose and throat; cleft lip and palate; diagnosis and management of neck swellings; and diseases and tumours of bone. 

Fifth Year
Clinical Dental Science 
This subject covers the following areas: the application of basic sciences to the management of oral health problems; diagnostic and management aspects of patients with multiple and/or complex general and dental problems; specialist referral; advanced radiological interpretation; radiographic management; care of the special patient; management of patients with complex psychological and social histories such as psychotic and neurotic disorders; relaxation therapies; systematic desensitisation and hypnosis; the special needs of the elderly; the special needs of children; pain and pain control; general anaesthesia; management and welfare of dental health personnel; practice management and legal aspects of dental practice; the validation of the preventive philosophy at the individual and community levels; evaluation of current trends in periodontal treatment and research; case analysis and treatment planning in orthodontics; management of complex endodontic problems; advanced aspects of prosthodontics, fixed prosthodontics, maxillo-facial appliances, precision attachments, aesthetics, magnetodontics and dental implants; conduct and presentation of a research project (continued from the previous year). 

Integrated Dental Practice
Students undertake clinical experience in total patient care at both the Hospital and selected clinical teaching centres and hospitals; observational experience in private general practice; and assignments in special and general aspects of clinical dental practice. .