Bachelor of Dental Surgery

Primary purpose

To provide qualifiers with specific knowledge, skills and competence in the field of Dentistry that will enable them to register as Dentists with the Dental professional board of the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

Subsidiary purpose

To provide South Africa with an adequate supply of Dentists.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Access may be gained to the qualification through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Entry requirements

- National Senior Certificate, Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's Degree Studies with the following

> Biology.

> Physical Science.

> English.

• National Certificate Vocational, Level 4 with a relevant specialisation, granting access to Bachelor's Degree Studies with the following:

> Biology.

> Physical Science.

> English.

- Senior Certificate, Level 4 with Matriculation Exemption with the following

> Biology.

> Physical Science.

> English.

1. Know-how and be able to promote oral health and be competent to apply supportive methods of health education and communication skills.
2. Know-how and be able to determine the prevalence of oral diseases and abnormalities and apply appropriate preventive strategies on both an individual and a community basis.
3. Know-how and be competent to examine for and identify correctly all oral and dental diseases and abnormalities, the management of which falls within the permitted scope of practice of a Dentist.
4. Know-how and be competent to recognise and refer clinical problems the management of which does not fall within the permitted scope of practice of a Dentist.
5. Know-how and be competent to plan and implement the oral health services essential to the total care programme of the individual patient.
6. Know-how and be competent to function within the structures of public Dentistry, and be able to function within the mission and mode of primary health care systems in the public health services in South Africa.
7. Know-how and be competent to function within the private practice setting and understand the business, logistical and ergonomic principles of practice administration.
8. Be able to maintain continued competence and to keep abreast of up to date techniques and procedures.
9. Know the laws and ethical rules and regulations controlling the practice of the oral health professions in South Africa, with specific reference to the scope and nature of Dentistry as set out by the Medical and Dental Professional Board of the Health Professions Council of South Africa.
10. Know how to engage in lifelong learning through well-developed learning skills.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes

• Oral health programmes are supported.
• The prevalence of oral diseases and abnormalities are determined and appropriate preventive strategies on both an individual and a community basis are applied.
• Oral and dental diseases and abnormalities are examined for and identified within the permitted scope of practice of a Dentist.
• Clinical problems which do not fall within the permitted scope of practice of a Dentist are identified and referred to the appropriate professional.
• The oral health services essential to the total care programme of the individual patient are planned and implemented.
• The mission and mode of primary health care systems in the public health services in South Africa are applied with.
• The business, logistical and ergonomic principles of private practice administration are understood.
• The laws and ethical rules and regulations controlling the practice of the oral health professions in South Africa, with specific reference to the scope and nature of dentistry as set out by the Dental Professional Board of the Health Professions Council of South Africa are known and applied.

Integrated Assessment

Assessments are done throughout the study period. These include simulations, work-place assessments, achievement of certain minimum clinical procedures, portfolios and written and oral tests and examinations. The Exit-Level Outcomes of each year must have been achieved before a student can proceed to the next year of study and training.

In the case of clinical competence, a qualifier is assessed to ensure that s/he has mastered all the relevant procedures and techniques.

In the case of knowledge assessment samples of the qualifier's knowledge is tested for depth and width of knowledge.