Dental Therapist

About the Program

The Dental Therapist Study Program is one of the programs offered at the Vocational Faculty of Hasanuddin University (Unhas). It aims to equip graduates with mastery of Science and Technology (IPTEK), particularly in dental and oral therapist care, enabling them to address issues comprehensively at both national and global levels. The profession of dental and oral therapists involves collaboration with dentists in delivering dental and oral health services to the community. The Dental Therapist Study Program at the Vocational Faculty of Unhas offers advantages in interprofessional education, particularly concerning the provision of hospital-based dental and oral therapy care.

Strengths

• The Dental Therapist Study Program has been accredited "good" by Lam-PTKes based on Decree Number 0109/Lam-PTKes/Akr.BP/Dip/VI/2023.
• Organizing the Learning Process using the Block System, making the lecture process only focus on one course in 2-4 weeks.
• Teaching staff are professionals in their respective specialist fields.
• Have a "Plenary" accredited practical education facility.
• Comfortable lecture rooms with full AC.
• Completed the mini-clinic and laboratory facilities.
• Have the opportunity to participate in community service activities.
•  Located at the Tamalanrea Campus, Makassar

Areas of Specialization

The Dental Therapist Study Program Specialization at the Vocational Faculty includes the following components:

• Dental and Oral Therapist Care Services
• Cross-infection Control
• Use and Maintenance of Dental Equipment
• Dental Materials
• Dental Health Promotion

All of these specializations are integrated and implemented together in a hospital-based setting, aiming to provide comprehensive dental and oral health services.

Learning Process

• Students have the opportunity to participate in research or innovation projects aimed at developing new technologies or methods in the field of oral health, enabling them to contribute to advancements in science and technology.
• The Dental Therapist Study Program employs a block system for learning, allowing students to delve deeply into each course before progressing to the next. This approach concludes with a block exam, eliminating mid- and final-semester exams.
• Students are nurtured to become learning centers, fostering critical thinking skills, active participation, and the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with others in a structured manner.
• Students undergo project development across multiple courses to address real-world problems. This cultivates their critical thinking abilities, preparing them mentally to navigate the challenges of the workforce, where problem-solving skills are paramount.
• Clinical practice courses are conducted to simulate real-world scenarios as closely as possible, adhering to current course procedures and regulations. These activities occur in the Clinical Laboratory of the Dental Therapist Study Program and the Faculty of Dentistry Clinical Laboratory for selected courses.
• Students are directly immersed in professional environments such as the Unhas Dental and Oral Education Hospital, where they receive coaching, engage directly with patients, and interact with them firsthand. This experience spans from Semester 5 to Semester 8, with varying competencies introduced each semester.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the Dental Therapist Study Program can become professional dental and oral therapists in government agencies such as community health centers, general hospitals, and dental and oral hospitals as civil servants. Civil servants can also work as dental and oral therapists at Mandiri Clinics. Apart from that, graduates can also become entrepreneurs because they have been provided with entrepreneurship courses during the lecture process.