Finishing university and getting ready to embark on a career in dentistry involves ticking quite a large number of critically important boxes.
Chief among them is registering with the Dental Board of Australia (DBA) which is normally finalised within two weeks, pending verification of the fact that all the key requirements for registration have been met.
This process can begin ahead of the release of academic results, which can happen anywhere between late October through to mid-December, and the DBA encourages graduates to get started on their registration applications ahead of this period if at all possible.
However, if circumstances have meet your application is only going in, there are a number of key things that must be kept in mind to minimise any potential delays to registration.
To ensure that your application assessment doesn't extend beyond the usual timeframe, the DBA suggests particular care be paid to the following elements:
- Correct certification of ID documents
- The provision of all requested information
- Information pertaining to a health impairment which requires more detailed assessment
- Full disclosure of your criminal history, and
- Prompt receipt of the results of international criminal history checks from an AHPRA-approved supplier.
The correct certification of photographic identity documents is particular important because it does differ slightly from the usual process in other situations, largely due to the wording that must be used by a certifying authority.
Documents such as a passport or driver's license must come with the following exact wording:
"I certify that this is a true copy of the original and the photograph is a true likeness of the person presenting the document as sighted by me."
For your full guide to correct certification, go to Certifying Documents: Instructions for applicants and authorised officers and for your complete guide to registration, go to Graduate Applications
