Guidelines for Admission
Application for Admission to Health Sciences Professional Programmes for 2012

Dental Technology
Oral Health

Table of Contents

1. APPLICATION PROCESS 2012
   1. How to apply
   2. Application Closing Date
   3. Enrolment/Registration
   4. Entry Requirements
   5. Declaration Form
   6. Curriculum Vitae
   7. Statements of Interest
   8. First Aid Certificate
   9. Immunity Status
   10. Witnessed Documents
   11. Citizenship
   12. International Applicants
   13. Māori and New Zealand Resident Pacific Island Applicants
   14. Health and Disabilities
   15. Criminal Offences
   16. Practising in New Zealand
   17. Culturally-Sensitive Issues
   18. Confirmation of Receipt of Application
   19. Outcome of Application
   20. Accepting or Declining Offers
   21. What is the Waiting List?
   22. Important Dates
2. CHECKLIST
3. DISCLAIMER

1 Application Process 2012

1.1 How to apply
You must complete an application form on-line.

You may apply for more than one programme. Each programme has a separate Admissions Committee; all applications are assessed independently.

1.2 Application Closing Date
The on-line application form, declarations and other required documentation MUST reach the Health Sciences Admissions Office by 1 November 2011, 5pm NZST. Late applications may be considered in exceptional circumstances.

1.3 Enrolment/Registration

• As well as completing the on-line application for Oral Health/Dental Technology, ALL applicants must enrol/register at the University of Otago.
• Transferring – If you have previously studied at another university in New Zealand and have not previously studied at the University of Otago: Closing Date 10 December 2011.
• Returning – If you have previously studied at the University of Otago: Closing date 15 January 2012.
• New students - If you have studied at university before: Closing Date 10 December 2011
• For enrolment details visit www.otago.ac.nz, email university@otago.ac.nz or phone 0800 80 80 98 (within NZ) or 0064 3 479 7000.

1.4 Entry Requirements
To be eligible to enter the University (and therefore the programme) students must have satisfied the University’s admission requirements as stated in the University Calendar (i.e. gained an entrance qualification based on NCEA level 3 results or equivalent). No student will be admitted to the programme without meeting admission requirements. All enrolments to the Bachelor of Dental Technology and Bachelor of Oral Health degree programme are subject to the approval of the Faculty of Dentistry, Undergraduate Studies Committee. To gain entry to the programme applicants must satisfy the following selection criteria:

Applicants for the Bachelor of Oral Health will be selected on the basis of having met the following criteria:

1. Fulfilled the University of Otago entrance requirements by the time classes commence
2. Have attained a satisfactory level in NCEA level 2 Biology and NCEA Level 2 English or NZQA recognised equivalent, or
3. Undertaken previous university study at a standard determined by the Faculty of Dentistry, Undergraduate Studies (Oral Health Committee), or
4. Be over the age of 20 years at the commencement of classes, have experience in a health-related field and have passed the equivalent of NCEA level 2 Biology within the last five years.

Applicants for the Bachelor of Dental Technology will be selected on the basis of having met the following criteria:

1. Fulfilled the University of Otago entrance requirements by the time classes commence
2. Every applicant must present evidence of ability to undertake the programme and normally would have a minimum of 14 Level 3 NCEA credits in Chemistry and a minimum of 14 Level 2 NCEA credits in Physics, or approved equivalent. Although not required, study of Biology to at least NCEA Level 2 would be an advantage.
3. Undertaken previous university study at a standard determined by the Faculty of Dentistry, Undergraduate Studies (Dental Technology Committee), or
4. Be over the age of 20 years at the commencement of classes, have experience in a health-related field and have passed the equivalent of NCEA level 3 Chemistry within the last five years.

1.5 Declaration Form
To complete and authenticate your on-line application you must complete, sign and date the three parts of the Declaration Form: Health and Disability Declaration, Convictions Declaration and Student Declaration. You must sign the appropriate declarations yourself; no-one else may sign for you.

1.6 Curriculum Vitae
A brief curriculum vitae must accompany your application. Include in your CV details of your previous work experience and a summary of your employment record with your employer’s name and address, position held and length of employment. Should you require assistance with preparing your CV, information is available on the web (Careers Advisory Service).

1.7 Statements of Interest
You must include a brief statement of interest (no more than 600 words) explaining why you wish to pursue the course of study you have selected. Your Statement of Interest would be enhanced by including details of your recent interaction with the appropriate profession ie Dental Hygiene, Dental Therapy and/or Dental Technology Laboratory and should cover the following areas:

• Describe the day-to-day working life of a Dental Hygienist, Dental Therapist or Dental Technologist and the attributes that you feel you could bring to the profession.
• Describe your motivation for wanting to join the profession. 

1.8 First Aid Certificate
All candidates must provide the Health Sciences Admissions Office with a certified copy of an appropriate New Zealand First Aid Certificate before classes commence.
Applicants must gain this qualification through a NZQA registered training provider who is authorized to assess NZQA first aid standards.

From January 2011, students can submit a First Aid Certificate which included NZQA standards 26551 and 26552.  However until December 2013 a valid Certificate which meet NZQA standard 6400 will be accepted.

If unsure, please check with your provider that your intended course meets the above requirements.

The following website are useful for information on gaining a First Aid Certificate:
www.stjohn.org.nz - First Aid Level Two
www.redcross.org.nz - Comprehensive First Aid Course
www.meditrain.co.nz - Workplace First Aid

1.9 Immunity 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. All applicants who enter Dental Technology or Oral Health will be required to provide evidence of their serology status to the following infections prior to admission into their programme:

• Hepatitis B and C, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella  
• Applicants will be expected to make arrangements with their local general practitioner to undertake serology (blood) tests, and vaccinations if required.  In the case of both International and New Zealand-based students, the general practitioner visited must be New Zealand-based.
• Students are required to complete and include with their application the Immunity Status Form (Form D).

1.10 Witnessed Documents
Where you are asked to provide documentation of academic achievement, birth certificates, citizenship and so forth, please do not send originals. Photocopies, which are suitably certified as copies of the originals, are to be sent. The following may witness documents as true copies of the originals: Justice of the Peace, Solicitor, Kaumatua, District or High Court Official, Notary Public, School Principal, Guidance Counsellor or Careers Adviser (if you are still at school), University Administrative Staff or Liaison Officers of any University.

1.11 Citizenship
Applicants who are New Zealand or Australian citizens must provide certified copies of their birth certificate or citizenship certificate. Applicants who are not New Zealand or Australian citizens must provide certified copies of their permanent resident status. We require a Residence Permit, not a Residence Visa. Applications will not be processed unless satisfactory proof of residence status is provided.

1.12 International Applicants
A limited number of places may be offered to applicants who are not New Zealand or Australian citizens or permanent residents who are sponsored through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, their own government or who are full fee paying, privately sponsored overseas students. International applicants must have completed all necessary prerequisites to a minimum standard to be determined from year to year. Such applications should be obtained and submitted through the International Office, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand. Email: international.admissions@otago.ac.nz.

1.13 Māori and New Zealand Resident Pacific Island Applicants
The Division of Health Sciences wishes to attract such candidates because Māori and Polynesian health professionals contribute to Māori and Polynesian health and have a significant role to play in the delivery of health care to their people. Therefore students who are of Māori or Polynesian origins may have this fact taken into consideration along with their application by completing Form A or Form B.

1.14 Health and Disabilities
Applicants with a health condition and/or disability that may affect whether they are able to meet the requirements of a programme or obtain professional registration should contact the Health Sciences Admissions Office or the University’s Manager of Disability Information and Support – www.otago.ac.nz/disabilities.

Health conditions include:

• Physical conditions
• Mental conditions
• Psychological conditions

1.15 Criminal Offences
Applicants who have been charged with a criminal offence (including drink driving) must inform the Health Sciences Admissions Office. As some convictions may prohibit registration applicants are advised to consult the regulations of the appropriate registering professional body: www.dcnz.org.nz or inquiries@dcnz.org.nz

1.16 Practising in New Zealand
To register with the Dental Council of New Zealand to practise Dental Hygiene, Dental Technology or Dental Therapy in New Zealand applicants may be required to satisfy the English language requirements as set by the Dental Council of New Zealand.

For further information contact the Dental Council of New Zealand www.dcnz.org.nz or email inquiries@dcnz.org.nz.

1.17 Culturally Sensitive Issues
All students must participate in laboratory, practical and clinical activities, including those that may be unusual in some cultures. 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 is done under close supervision and all students are required to participate, as it is essential for their acquisition of clinical skills. Acceptance of any offer is an unconditional agreement to fully participate in these activities.

1.18 Confirmation of Receipt of Application
Applicants submit an on-line application form and automatically receive an email confirming receipt of application. This confirmation email will contain all details submitted and give you an application number. Once submitted, your details cannot be viewed or modified. However, if any information is incorrect or needs to be changed please contact the Health Sciences Admissions Office and quote your application number.

If you do not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours, please contact the Health Sciences Admissions Office.

IMPORTANT: Some free email accounts such as Hotmail and Yahoo may delete our emails as spam. We strongly recommend that you use your current University email account (if applicable) or another trusted email address to ensure that the email confirming receipt of your application reaches you.

The Division of Health Sciences will not be held responsible for any communication problems because of failure to provide an appropriate email address.

1.19 Outcome of Application
You will be advised of the outcome of your application by email no later than 11pm (NZST) on Friday 23 December 2011.

In order to ensure that the outcome of your application reaches you, your application form must include an email address that you will have access to around this time. The Division of Health Sciences will not be held responsible for any communication problems because of failure to provide an appropriate email address.

Given the short time frame between the release of examination results and the Christmas holidays, the Health Sciences Admissions Office will be extremely busy processing applications to ensure the outcome can be emailed out by 23 December 2011. Therefore, telephone calls to the Health Sciences Admissions Office may not be answered from 19 December 2011 – 6 January 2012.

However, if you have a question regarding your application, you are able to contact us by:

Health Sciences Admissions Office
Fax: 0064 3 479 5058
Email: healthsciences.admissions@otago.ac.nz
Postal: Health Sciences Admissions Office
P O Box 56
Dunedin 9054
New Zealand

All correspondence must include your application number.

The Health Sciences Admissions Office will be closed between 23 December 2011 – 6 January 2012.

1.20 Accepting or Declining Offers
Your Outcome of Application email will tell you:

1. if you have been offered a place
2. if your application has been declined or
3. if you are on a waiting list for one or more of the professional programmes.

To accept your offer(s) you must complete an on-line Response to Offer form. Details of how to access and complete this form will be included in your Outcome of Application email. Even if you do not wish to accept any offer made to you, you must decline the offer by completing the on-line Response to Offer form.

The deadline for accepting or declining offer(s) to professional programmes for 2012 is 5pm (NZST) Wednesday 11th January 2012.

Please think carefully before making your decision; once you have declined an offer(s) there is no opportunity to have the offer(s) reinstated after 5pm (NZST) Wednesday 11th January 2012.

1.21 What is the Waiting List?
If your Outcome of Application email indicates that you have been placed on the waiting list for a particular programme you will be contacted should a place in that programme become available subsequently. Waiting Lists are programme-specific and you may not ask to be included on any programme waiting list other than the one(s) specified in your email. You can be offered a place from a waiting list right up to the time classes begin. Therefore, you must make sure that you continue your enrolment process for an alternative programme of study. You will be contacted by email shortly after 31 March 2012 to advise you when the waiting lists have officially closed.

1.22 Important Dates

• On-line application closing date 1 November 2011
• University of Otago Enrolment Deadlines
• Transferring: 10 December 2011
• Returning: 15 January 2012
• New: 10 December 2011
• Outcome of Application emails sent out on 23 December 2011
• Accepting or declining places 11 January 2012
• Health Sciences Admissions Office closed from 23 December 2011 – 6 January 2012.

Do not forget you must apply for Dental Technology and/or Oral Health (this process) as well as enrol/register with the university (see above)

Commencement dates:

• Dental Technology: 24 February 2012
• Oral Health: 24 February 2012

Students who fail to attend classes on the commencement date risk losing their place.

2 Checklist

• Complete the Application Form online.
• All other information is to be submitted in hard copy to:
  • Health Sciences Admissions Office Division of Health Sciences University of Otago PO Box 56 DUNEDIN
• Declarations Form completed and signed.
• Evidence of New Zealand citizenship or permanent residence e.g. attach a certified copy of birth certificate or a certified copy of the front pages of your passport.
• Curriculum vitae
• Handwritten statement of interest.
• Made arrangements so that you will have a current first aid certificate to send in when you accept a place.
• Provided immunity status (Form D)
• Maori and New Zealand Resident Pacific Island Applicants (Form A and Form B)
• Certified documents of all qualifications, ensure Annual Result Notification (previously Interim Result Notification) for all levels of NCEA are included along with the Records of Achievement (previously Records of Learning).
• Certified copies of tertiary academic records (transcripts). Copies of University of Otago records are not required.
• Certified copy of your IELTS result (if admission is based on qualifications gained outside New Zealand and your first language is not English or Mäori).

3 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.