Program Overview

Orthodontics for Dental Therapists, Hygienists and Oral Health Therapists

This evidence-based course is designed to refine and develop orthodontic skills to meet the needs of orthodontic practice and the standards required by the Dental Board of Australia.

Course Overview

The course comprises a combination of online lectures and practical work incorporating supported clinical experience and small group work. Delivered by University of Melbourne Dental School academic staff, specialist orthodontists, and oral health orthodontic practitioners drawing on the latest evidence and experience to grow understanding, knowledge, and practice confidence.

What You Will Learn

This program will provide education and training that will help support orthodontists and dentists in the provision of orthodontic treatment and preventive services.

Program Delivery

• Pre-reading material will be supplied, including refresher material on occlusion and malocclusion and their classifications.
• Online web lectures via the Melbourne Dental School's Learning Management System, Canvas.
• A short MCQ (multiple choice questions) to cement knowledge on the lecture topics. An additional one hour of Scientific CPD is awarded.
• Seminar Session (webinar) for follow-up questions and discussion with the presenters.
• Hands-on Clinical sessions to be held at the Melbourne Dental Clinic – demonstrations and hands-on exercises on:
  • Digital scanning
  • Separator placement
  • Photography
  • Arch wire fixation and removal
  • Bracket placement and re-bonding
  • Placement and removal of bonded retainers
  • Removal of separators
  • De-bonding brackets and cement removal
  • Fitting of orthodontic bands
  • Placement of orthodontic aligner attachments (clinical demonstration)
  • A panel discussion.

Dates

The course will take place on November 11-12, 2026. Registration closes on November 5, 2026.

Course Details

Learn in a world-class academic environment with practitioners from a range of settings around Australia and develop your own community of practice.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify the information required by patients undergoing orthodontic treatment
• Appropriately use orthodontic instruments and equipment
• Take clinical photographs, use contemporary technologies for digital scanning and other records for orthodontic purposes
• Place and remove elastomeric separators
• Remove brackets and other appliances and related accessory materials used in orthodontic treatment/therapy
• Place and fix arch wires
• Select and prepare bands for cementation
• Re-cement loose bands and brackets
• Remove orthodontic cement and materials after band and bracket removal
• Placement of orthodontic aligner attachments and maintenance of aligners
• Prescribe preventive modalities to protect and promote oral health during orthodontic treatment
• Provide patients with accurate information relating to the care and maintenance of teeth and fixed and/or removable orthodontic appliances
• Identify and refer conditions requiring management by an orthodontist or other dental professional

Practice Experience Required

For those who have not worked in orthodontic practice prior to undertaking this course, it is recommended to arrange to spend a day observing in a practice both before and after the course. This is to support learning and to provide a basic understanding of a range of orthodontic procedures and how an Oral Health Therapist, Dental Hygienist, or Dental Therapist fits into an orthodontic team.

CPD Credit

23.5 hours of scientific CPD awarded

Pre-requisites

Participants enrolling in this program must hold a current license to practice within Australia.

Additional Information

The online content for this program must be completed in full before attending the face-to-face hands-on sessions at the Melbourne Dental School. A Live Zoom Q&A Session with the presenters will be held on Monday, November 9, 2026.

Fees

The course fee is $1,823 (inc GST).

Duration

The course duration is 23.5 hours of CPD.

Location

The course will be held at the Melbourne Dental Clinic, 1st Floor, 723 Swanston Street, Carlton Vic 3053.

Study Mode

The course is delivered in a mixed mode, combining online and face-to-face learning.