Postgraduate School of Dentistry

What Postgraduate School of Dentistry does

The Postgraduate School of Dentistry (PGDENTAL/PGSD) is an Australian privately held Registered Training Organisation (RTO Code 40849) founded in 2014 by Dr David Penn as the country's first private dental school. It is headquartered in Double Bay, NSW, with a US/Canadian student-support office in St. Petersburg, Florida, and operates with a small team of approximately seven staff. Its core mission is to deliver ASQA-accredited, government-recognized postgraduate qualifications that allow practicing general dentists to expand into aesthetic orthodontics — primarily sequential aligner therapy — without leaving their practices. The institution serves general dentists globally, including cohorts in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, China, and Portugal, with tutors having collectively trained more than 4,000 dentists worldwide.

The school's product portfolio centers on the 11340NAT Graduate Diploma of Aesthetic Orthodontics (Sequential Aligner Therapy), an AQF Level 8 qualification delivered 100% online through a proprietary interactive eLearning platform and assessed via practical work on the student's own patients in their own clinics. Tiered pricing spans a four-tier Elite program (A$16,000) through Upskill (A$9,200) and Essential (A$2,500), plus a Recognition of Prior Learning pathway (A$12,000 / US$8,000) and Continuing Professional Development modules. Supporting lines include a BSB30120 Certificate III in Business and an in-house R&D arm that has produced the proprietary Munchies® device family (Munchies, Munchies EPS, Munchies Vibe), with an announced Graduate Diploma of Oral Medicine in development. Clinical support services ($150 per aligner case) and Invisalign case-submission incentives add ancillary revenue streams.

Revenue is generated primarily through individual tuition fees paid by practicing dentists enrolling directly via the website or through regional inside-sales contacts in Australia, the US/Canada, and other international markets. Marketing relies on content (website, clinical-updates blog), webinars/CPD events, and word-of-mouth through the trained-dentist referral network. The institution holds ASQA accreditation and lists courses on training.gov.au; in 2019 it entered four collaborative research projects with the University of New South Wales spanning oral medicine, restorative dentistry, and orthodontics. The school operates without disclosed external funding, parent company, or public ownership structure, appearing to be founder-controlled and self-funded.

Name

Postgraduate School of Dentistry

Legal name

Postgraduate School of Dentistry

Website

https://pgdentalschool.edu.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Postgraduate School of Dentistry is an ASQA-accredited Australian private RTO founded in 2014 that delivers a Level 8 Graduate Diploma in Aesthetic Orthodontics (Sequential Aligner Therapy) to practicing general dentists globally via a 100% online, self-paced platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dental Education / Postgraduate Dental Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Dental Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing (339114)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Dental Equipment & Supplies (3843)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHAGAF

Dental Schools

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Medical & Health Sciences Universities

SECONDARYHLABAGAL

Pediatric Dentistry Academic/Teaching Clinics

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Dental Care Services/Pediatric Dentistry

Keywords

• Postgraduate dental education
• Aesthetic orthodontics training
• Sequential aligner therapy
• Continuing professional development
• Online dental certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Double Bay

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - Elite Program: Full course tuition for all 8 units: AUD $16,000 for Australian/NZ students and USD $16,000 for International students. Payment plan: Initial deposit of $1,500, then monthly instalments of $1,000 (x 14 months, final payment of $500)
2. Tuition Fees - Upskill Program: Unit 1 plus 3 additional units: AUD $9,200 for Australian/NZ students and USD $9,200 for International students. Payment plan: Initial deposit of $1,500, then monthly instalments of $700 (x 11 months)
3. Tuition Fees - Essential Program: Unit by unit study (commencing with Unit 1): AUD $2,500 for Australian/NZ students and USD $2,500 for International students. Payment plan: Initial deposit of $1,500, then monthly instalments of $500 (x 2 months)
4. RPL Assessment Fees: Recognition of Prior Learning assessment: A$12,000 total (AU$) or US$8,000 total (US$). Initial deposit of A$3,000 or US$2,000, then bimonthly instalments of A$3,000 or US$2,000 (x 3 payments)
5. Business Certificate III: BSB30120 Certificate III in Business course fee: $2,490. Ezy-way Interest Free Finance available
6. Clinical Support Services: Treatment planning services for sequential aligner therapy cases: $150 per case where support is provided from initial case assessment through to retention advice

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Postgraduate School of Dentistry sells accredited postgraduate dental education to practicing general dentists worldwide, with its flagship being the 11340NAT Graduate Diploma of Aesthetic Orthodontics (Sequential Aligner Therapy) delivered 100% online via a proprietary interactive eLearning platform. Students complete practical and clinical assessments on their own patients in their own clinics, with no time away from practice. Supporting offerings include CPD courses in aesthetic orthodontics, a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway, a Certificate III in Business, and proprietary Munchies® dental devices.

Product overview

The Postgraduate School of Dentistry operates as an Australian private dental education institution offering a portfolio of postgraduate qualifications and professional development programs. The core product is the 11340NAT Graduate Diploma of Aesthetic Orthodontics (Sequential Aligner Therapy), available via standard coursework or Recognition of Prior Learning pathways, providing Level 8 accredited qualifications for dentists in clear aligner therapy. Supporting the core program are CPD (Continuing Professional Development) modules covering specific topics in aesthetic orthodontics, including record taking, treatment planning, and sequential aligner principles. The institution also offers a BSB30120 Certificate III in Business for administrative training and has announced upcoming programs such as a Graduate Diploma of Oral Medicine. Additionally, the school developed a line of proprietary dental devices (Munchies® product line) through its R&D division. All practical assessments can be conducted on students' own patients in their own clinics, with courses delivered through a state-of-the-art online eLearning platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 11340NAT Graduate Diploma of Aesthetic Orthodontics (Sequential Aligner Therapy) Australian Government accredited Level 8 postgraduate qualification in aesthetic orthodontics focused on sequential aligner therapy (clear aligner treatment). Delivered 100% online via an interactive multimedia eLearning platform with practical and clinical assessments completed in the student's own surgery on their own patients. Aims to teach practicing general dentists to deliver aesthetic orthodontic treatments.
• 11340NAT Graduate Diploma of Aesthetic Orthodontics — Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Pathway Accelerated route to the same Level 8 Graduate Diploma via Recognition of Prior Learning. Allows experienced sequential aligner practitioners to gain the qualification in as little as 4 months through assessment of existing clinical knowledge and skills. Fees: A$12,000 for Australian candidates or US$8,000 for international candidates.
• CPD Programs in Aesthetic Orthodontics (Sequential Aligners) Suite of Continuing Professional Development courses covering individual topics in aesthetic orthodontics and sequential aligners — including principles of aesthetic orthodontics, record taking and digital imagery, and comprehensive treatment planning for general dentists. Delivered 100% online.
• BSB30120 Certificate III in Business Nationally recognised Certificate III qualification in business and office administration covering workplace communication, digital technologies, customer service and work health and safety across 13 units of competency. Delivered 100% online with full tuition fee of $2,490 and an interest-free finance option. Targeted at individuals preparing for roles such as Customer Service Advisor, Office Administrator, or Receptionist.
• Munchies® Product Line Proprietary line of dental devices — Munchies®, Munchies® EPS, and Munchies® Vibe — developed by PGSD's R&D arm and used as accessories in sequential aligner therapy to enhance patient treatment outcomes. The line is sold under registered trademarks.

Quantifiable outcome

• Obtain Level 8 qualification (AQF) positioned between Bachelor's and Master's degree
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• University of New South Wales (UNSW)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019In 2019, the Postgraduate School of Dentistry entered into 4 collaborative research projects with UNSW. The joint effort involves collaboration with the Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Faculty and the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering in the areas of oral medicine, restorative dentistry and orthodontics. The unique team of dentists, engineers and industrial designers are producing paradigm-shifting devices and treatment protocols.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Gerety Orthodontic Seminars: US-based private orthodontic continuing education provider offering comprehensive orthodontic training for general dentists. Directly comparable to PGSD in focusing on orthodontic credentials for practicing GPs, with in-clinic case-based training methodology.
• Progressive Orthodontic Seminars: US-based private provider of orthodontic continuing education for general dentists, historically focused on comprehensive orthodontic training. Highly comparable to PGSD as a niche private dental school training GPs in orthodontics, with similar practitioner-targeted, in-clinic practical delivery.
• Pankey Institute: One of the original private dental postgraduate institutions in the US, offering advanced continuing education for dentists across multiple specialty areas. Comparable to PGSD as a privately operated, accreditation-driven school targeting practicing GPs seeking postgraduate credentials.
• Kois Center: Private US-based dental education center offering advanced postgraduate training for practicing clinicians across restorative, occlusion, and aesthetic dentistry. Comparable to PGSD's positioning as a private, founder-led dental school delivering niche specialty credentials to general dentists.
• The Dawson Academy: US-based private dental education provider offering comprehensive and advanced continuing education for general dentists. Highly comparable to PGSD's model of privately accredited postgraduate training aimed at practicing GPs, though with a broader prosthodontic/restorative focus rather than aligner therapy.
• Digital Smile Design (DSD): Global private dental education company founded by Dr Christian Coachman, offering structured postgraduate training programs in digital aesthetic and restorative dentistry for GPs worldwide. Comparable to PGSD as a privately-led, internationally distributed dental education brand monetizing proprietary clinical protocols through accredited courses.
• Spear Education: Private dental continuing education company (US) offering multi-tier membership and advanced clinical training for practicing dentists. Directly comparable to PGSD in serving practicing GPs through structured, accreditation-aligned postgraduate pathways with online delivery components.

Broad incumbents

• University of Sydney — Continuing Education in Dentistry: Australia's leading university-based dental school offering accredited continuing dental education for practitioners. Comparable to PGSD as a domestic source of postgraduate dental credentials and CPD, but with a broader curriculum portfolio and traditional university delivery model.
• Align Technology (Invisalign): Global clear-aligner market leader and operator of the Invisalign training and certification program for general dentists. Comparable to PGSD as the dominant incumbent delivering sequential aligner therapy education to GPs, but with a much larger product/manufacturing portfolio that bundles training with aligner sales.

Emerging players

• ClearCorrect (Straumann): Clear aligner manufacturer (Straumann-owned) that provides clinical training and certification programs for general dentists offering its aligner system. Comparable to PGSD as a sequential aligner therapy education channel targeting the same GP segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/post-graduate-school-of-dentistry

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Postgraduate School of Dentistry