Both LaTrobe and Melbourne Uni have their strengths for dentistry. LaTrobe in Bendigo offers smaller class sizes and a strong focus on regional dental practice, which can be really helpful if you plan to work outside major cities. Melbourne Uni has a lot of prestige and excellent research opportunities, which can be appealing if you’re aiming for specialist pathways later on.
Regarding the ATAR, the additional aggregate points in subjects like biology and chemistry don’t directly reduce the entry requirement; they simply contribute to your overall ranking, so it wouldn’t drop from 99.75 to 95.75.
For practical experience while studying, some local dental clinics can give a real sense of working in the field. For example, Indental Castle Hill offers a modern setup and various treatment exposures, which can complement university learning, prospective students can visit here to see the location and facilities.
Choosing between the two ultimately depends on whether smaller classes and regional exposure (LaTrobe) or prestige and campus resources (Melbourne Uni) matter more for your goals.
