Grace Chen, Doctor of Dental Surgery & Bachelor of Biomedicine (2024)

I attended many different universities’ Open Days during the final few years of high school and was instantly drawn to the University of Melbourne for its beautiful campus and its vibrant student and extracurricular life.

I was always interested in health sciences, so when I received my Bachelor of Biomedicine offer after Year 12, I was delighted to be a student at the University of Melbourne. The Bachelor of Biomedicine stood out to me because of the organised sequential structure of the degree which allowed us to explore a broad variety of disciplines within the biomedical field as well as to step out of our comfort zone and try something new by studying breadth subjects. I was also very attracted by the many study abroad opportunities available, and so I decided to spend my final semester overseas at King’s College London, one of the University of Melbourne’s many international partner institutions.

After completing my Biomedicine degree, I was not sure whether I wanted to pursue further study or start working in the field, so I decided to spend six months travelling and working causal jobs to figure out what my passions were. Ultimately, I discovered the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). I attended several webinars where former students described it as a ‘cross between the arts and the sciences’. As I have always been interested in the fine arts and creating with my hands, the DDS really stood out to me, and so I decided to take a leap of faith and apply.

I was surprised by how much I would enjoy the practical preclinical classes where I am able to refine my fine motor skills and create something that I am really proud of. Not only has the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) taught me the theoretical and practical knowledge required to become a dentist, but this course has also helped me to practise and perfect my communication skills, as well as discover the public health and ethical issues underlying modern healthcare.

I find the DDS so enjoyable since it is a perfect 50/50 blend of theory and practice, and we divide our time between learning theory in discussion-based tutorials and managing our own patients at the Royal Dental Hospital or Melbourne.

I am really looking forward to what the rest of the degree has in store for me, especially the final year when we can start applying our clinical skills in the real world during rotational placements in hospitals and dental surgeries all over Victoria!

Additionally, I really enjoy the strong sense of community at the University of Melbourne. In particular, the numerous activities and events hosted by the Student Union and the Graduate Student Association help us forge friendships with peers from other degrees/faculties. The libraries and campus facilities create the perfect learning environment, with spaces that are fit for every circ*mstance, whether it be a collaborative study group meeting or silent focus session.

The University of Melbourne and the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (MDHS) also offer many hands-on practical learning opportunities, in clinical professional environments and even overseas (e.g. study abroad and exchange opportunities), ensuring that we become global citizens.

The Doctor of Dental Surgery degree has opened so many doors for me and shown me that the dental career is not just limited to a general dental practitioner, but there are also career options such as dental specialists, forensic odontologists, and public oral health advocates.

Through the subjects offered in my degree, I have the opportunity to hear from so many professionals from various backgrounds and learn more about their experiences and the roads that led them to where they are now. This has been incredibly inspiring and has motivated me to remain open-minded about my future professional pathway. For the time being, my goals for post-graduation would be working in rural hospitals as a general dental practitioner, and then hopefully specialising in prosthodontics and establishing my own cosmetic dental clinic one day!

My advice for future students is to step out of your comfort zone and make the most of every opportunity that comes your way, whether it be a unique academic challenge or an exciting club activity. It does not matter if you are uncertain about the future because it is more important to live in the moment – your career aspirations and goals will develop in their own time.

If you are not sure that a health degree is right for you, I would encourage you to give it a go anyway because you will never really know if something is fit for you unless you give it a try. Your university years are all about discovering new passions and giving everything a go, so do not hold back from any experience that you are slightly interested in trying.

Before starting the DDS, I also did not know if this was the right path for me, but I am glad I decided to jump into the deep end. I have never looked back since.

Even though it may seem challenging or daunting at first, no progress can be made without change, and every hurdle is an opportunity for personal growth.