A change of entry requirements means students will not only have to sit the Higher School Certificate, but also undergo a compulsory Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Test (UMAT), to assist the faculty in choosing students with communication and problem solving skills, as well as qualities that will enable them to show empathy for their patients.

Of the 1000 applications expected to be received by the Orange campus for 45 positions in dentistry in 2017, only 110 will be chosen for an interview.

 Dentistry and Health Sciences head of school, Professor David Wilson told Year 11 and 12 students at an open day last Friday there was a sudden change in the application criteria  that would come into effect for the 2017 student intake.

“This is an Australia-wide test,” he said.

Professor Wilson said the test was vigorous and told students competition to gain entry to the dentistry degree course in Orange was tough.

“My advice to you is to get out there now and find a dental practice that will take you on to do some observing,” he told the students.

Faculty of Science deputy dean, Associate Professor Lyn Angel believed the introduction of the UMAT would provide more transparency and enhance the process for selecting future dentistry students.

“The introduction of the UMAT is also in line with the practice of other dental schools,” she said.

Associate Professor Angel said the university was committed to providing opportunities for rural and remote students to study in regional Australia, to help meet the need for health professionals in regional communities, and 25 per cent of places would be set aside for applicants who had a significant rural background or who were Indigenous.

Professor Wilson said becoming a good dentist was not just about achieving a high ranking in the HSC.

“We are looking for motivated people with understanding and empathy for their patients,” he said.

“This new system does mean a lot of change.”

Associate Professor Angel said the change only applied to the university’s Bachelor of Dental Science coures and selection would be composed of an assessment of the UMAT score and an interview.

She said students who were currently enrolled in CSU’s Bachelor of Clinical Science and wished to study dentistry could apply through an internal transfer process or complete the UMAT.

Physiotherapy and pharmacy courses at the university are not subject to a change in entry requirements.

The Universities Medicine and Health Science Admissions Test is developed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) on behalf of the UMAT consortium universities, which now includes Charles Sturt University.

The test for students intending to apply for the Bachelor of Dental Science degree in Orange is on July 27.

The test is used to assist with the selection of students into medicine, dentistry and health science degrees at universities across Australia.

UMAT scores can be used for admission to any of the UMAT consortium universities only in the year following the test.

UMAT practice tests are now available to purchase from http://registration.acer.edu. au/ and the preparation materials are available as online tests only.

Among the questions are problem-solving scenarios involving forming logical sequences from diagrams and codes, and assessments of patient/clinician scenarios in a variety of clinical settings.

The university is working to provide information to prospective students through the updated website, marketing and course information and student contact centre.

Students who have made an inquiry about the Bachelor of Dental Science degree will be contacted directly.

Schools and careers advisors will also be  provided with information.

janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au