How many dental schools are there in Western Australia?

Two, both in Perth: the University of Western Australia (graduate Doctor of Dental Medicine, DMD) and Curtin University (undergraduate Bachelor of Dental Surgery, BDS).

What is the difference between UWA and Curtin dentistry?

UWA is graduate-entry — you need a prior degree and the GAMSAT for its 4-year DMD, then an MMI. Curtin is undergraduate (school-leaver) entry — you apply with the UCAT-ANZ and your ATAR (around 94.00) for its 5-year BDS, also with an MMI.

What ATAR do I need for dentistry in WA?

ATAR applies to the undergraduate route at Curtin, where the cut-off sits around 94.00. UWA is graduate-entry and uses your prior-degree GPA and GAMSAT rather than ATAR.

Do WA dental schools include rural placements?

Yes. Both UWA and Curtin rotate students through metropolitan and rural-clinical placements across Western Australia, reflecting the state’s large geography and regional dental-workforce needs.

Do I need the UCAT-ANZ or GAMSAT for WA dentistry?

It depends on the school. Curtin’s undergraduate BDS uses the UCAT-ANZ. UWA’s graduate DMD uses the GAMSAT. You sit only the test required by the school you apply to.

NextGenMedPrep

Australian Dentistry · Entry Guide

Dental schools inWestern Australia

2 schoolsGAMSAT / UCAT-ANZ pathways

Western Australia hosts two dental schools, both in Perth. UWA runs a 4-year graduate Doctor of Dental Medicine (~50 places) selecting on GAMSAT plus MMI. Curtin University offers a 5-year undergraduate Bachelor of Dental Surgery (~80 places) — selection is UCAT-ANZ, ATAR (~94.00) and MMI. Both schools rotate students through metropolitan and rural-clinical placements across WA.

Overview

Studying dentistry in Western Australia

Western Australia offers both Australian dental pathways within Perth. UWA is graduate-entry — a 4-year Doctor of Dental Medicine selecting on the GAMSAT and an MMI — while Curtin is undergraduate, with a 5-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery selecting on the UCAT-ANZ, ATAR (around 94.00) and an MMI. Both schools rotate students through metropolitan and rural-clinical placements across WA’s large geography, supporting the state’s regional dental workforce. Domestic places are Commonwealth Supported (CSP) with HECS-HELP deferral.

Funding + places. Domestic places are Commonwealth Supported (CSP) with HECS-HELP deferral. UWA: 4-year graduate DMD (~50 places), GAMSAT + MMI. Curtin: 5-year undergraduate BDS (~80 places), UCAT-ANZ + ATAR (~94.00) + MMI. Both rotate students through metro and rural-clinical placements across WA.

Schools

Dental schools in Western Australia

2 dental schools in Western Australia — click any school for the full profile including admission tests, ATAR, interview format and place types.

UWA Dental

Crawley · Established 1948

Multi-Mini Interview (~8 stations)

Curtin Oral Health Therapy

Bentley · Established 2014

Academic results only — ATAR-based selection rank

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Apply to dentistry in Western Australia with NextGen MedPrep

UCAT-ANZ and GAMSAT prep, written-application coaching, and MMI / panel interview practice with tutors who know each Western Australia dental school inside out.

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Reviewed by Isaac Butler-King, medical student at the University of Glasgow. Last reviewed: 12 July 2026