studying dentistry in australia

[ada22ching]

I really need some help.

I am planning to study dentistry in australia as an international student from Hong Kong. When i finish my BDS degree five years later, i know that i will have two options: 1) become PR in Australia and practise dentistry there; 2) practise dentistry in my home country (Hong Kong).

For option 1, i have been been told by my migration agents that immigration law in Australia always changes. There is no guanrentee that my application to become PR will be successful five years later even if i can satisfy their "points-test" now. If my applicaton of PR fails, then i must leave Australia.

For option 2, if i want to practise in my home country, i need to pass the licensing exams, which seem to be very tough and have low passing rates.

I am very worried that if both option 1 and 2 dont't work, i can't practise dentistry even after finishing the BDS degree.

My questions are:

Could anyone offer some suggestions to me?

Is it very very easy to stay in Australia (ie get PR) after qualifying as dentist?

For those dental graduates who are not native english speaker (including me), do they have problems finding jobs? Can all international dental students get employment contracts in Australia shortly after graduation?

Besides Australia and New Zealand, what other countries would immediately recognize the Australian dental degrees without further licensing exams? If so, are their immigration rules strict or lax?

Have you heard of any Australian dental graduates who cannot practice as dentists due to similar problems that i face and have to change to other careers?

Is it common for dental students to spend one or more years to complete the BDS program?

If, after getting the BDS degree, i don't practise dentistry for a certain period of time, will i have problem renewing my state license? If that amount of time is, say, 5 years, will my state license be revoked?

Any advice would be greatly appreciatied! thanx!

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[drarun]

Hi... what is the situation five years down the lane is something very difficult to judge. Only time can answer... but based on the current situation there is a great requirement for Dentists in Australia and it seems there would not be a great improvement in the situation in five years time.... though definetely better than today which only means there will be more dentists in Australia. What the government would do then is a question which cannot be answered.

The other countries which recognize Australian degrees are mainly in the South East Asian region - Singapore, Malaysia, etc. I think if you want to pursue your goal if it is to study Dentistry in Australia just go for it and dont brood over issues which are difficult to answer or even seek an answer, though it is always good to think ahead but on these issues no one knows how the situation changes and the Australian government is very alert to the changing scenarios and frames rules accordingly. With regard to English speaking ability and you finding a job in Australia there would not be a problem with regard to you not being a native English speaker because five years in Australia will definetely improve your English skills to fetch you a job and converse well in your profession and as well there are many successful Asians in Australia who are not native English speakers. All the best in your career.

 

[BlueToothHunter]

Could anyone offer some suggestions to me?

Is it very very easy to stay in Australia (ie get PR) after qualifying as dentist?
You will have to find an employment first. There are probably quite a good demand for dentists in the rural area. You would probably need to find a full-time employment as opposed to part-time jobs in the city as your immigration petition will depend upon your employment sponsor's needs.

For those dental graduates who are not native english speaker (including me), do they have problems finding jobs? Can all international dental students get employment contracts in Australia shortly after graduation?

Dentistry requires the clinician to effectively communicate with their patients and their family. If you feel that your English skill is sub-par, then you should try to improve it. After all, why would anyone want to hire you if your English is poor? Dentist Job Search (www.djs.com.au) usually have plenty of vacancies posted on their website. They usually advertise positions that will help with the immigration visa. Usually, this will be in exchange for a minimum of several years of contract employment, e.g. 3 years.

Besides Australia and New Zealand, what other countries would immediately recognize the Australian dental degrees without further licensing exams? If so, are their immigration rules strict or lax?

I hear Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong are places that accept Australian qualification. For Hong Kong, you would need to take their written and clinical(?) exams.

Have you heard of any Australian dental graduates who cannot practice as dentists due to similar problems that i face and have to change to other careers?

I think you worry too much about things that haven't happened yet. No, I've never heard of a dentist that could not work. But I know several who WOULD NOT work because they're just fat slobs!! 🙂

Is it common for dental students to spend one or more years to complete the BDS program?

What is your question? At Sydney, you get BDent, not BDS. They're both similar professional degrees.

If, after getting the BDS degree, i don't practise dentistry for a certain period of time, will i have problem renewing my state license? If that amount of time is, say, 5 years, will my state license be revoked?

If you don't practice dentistry for 5 years and not hold a dental license, you may need to question your clinical skills and take some refresher courses before you apply for license. This is not only ethical to do, as you would be a hazard to your patients if you have been out of touch for that long.

Any advice would be greatly appreciatied! thanx!
Just study hard and get into any dental school - Hong Kong or Australia. Then think about where you want to live and to go. Always take the easiest pathway and the cheapest... you can thank me later!!

See the quote above.