Bachelor of Oral Health Sciences

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to provide for a dedicated dental auxiliary with the necessary knowledge, skills and disposition to manage the oral health of the individual patient and the community within the prescribed HPCSA scope of practice of the profession. The dental auxiliary will be able to practice within the defined roles of this profession, namely as a:

• Health promoter.
• Clinician.
• Change agent.
• Practice manager.
• Researcher.

As a health promoter the dental auxiliary will promote health and wellness at an individual patient/client and a community/public health level through health/oral health promotion, prevention and effective health-care delivery strategies. S/he must be able to apply teaching and learning principles to facilitate the development of specific attitudes, knowledge, skills and behaviours in clients/patients/communities. This professional must understand and apply this role within the local, provincial, and national context.

As a clinician the dental auxiliary will use his/her knowledge and skills to assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate treatment within their scope of practice, collaborate with oral health and other health care professionals and refer appropriately. The dental auxiliary must understand the role of the entire dental team in providing holistic patient care.

As a change agent, the dental auxiliary must initiate and manage change within a rapidly changing societal, scientific and technological environment. The dental auxiliary must understand this professional role in promoting and advocating for change in issues affecting the oral health of the individual patient/ client and with communities.

As a practice manager the dental auxiliary must be able to practice as an independent oral health care provider/practitioner in both the public and private sector and be able to manage these facilities to ensure professional, entrepreneurial and ethical service delivery. S/he must be able to explore innovative employment opportunities to practice this profession.

As a researcher the dental auxiliary is to understand that all professional behaviours require the analytic skills of a researcher. S/he must use research skills to remain current in the oral health science profession. The dental auxiliary must be able to question, be creative and think analytically to systematically solve problems to improve oral health. The dental auxiliary must understand his/her service role and accountability to the public and therefore make evidence based decisions in the practice of this profession.

Rationale

The need for specifically trained support staff in a clinical oral health sciences environment, has led to the recognition of the dental auxiliary professionals as key role players in a larger team of professionals devoted to the health promotion, disease prevention and therapeutic care in treating oral disease of diverse populations.

This qualification aims to meet the need for the sector by delivering oral health-care professionals trained to deliver appropriate services in a wide range of oral health sciences endeavours, ranging from private practice, academia, research, community health centres, sales and marketing and military health. These services are essentially aimed at improving the oral health of individuals, families and groups within communities in collaboration with other health workers.

Learners who register for this qualification should be able to demonstrate foundation skills such as

• Basic skills: reading, writing, arithmetic and mathematics.
• Thinking skills: decision making, ability to learn, and reasoning.
• Personal qualities: responsibility, sociability, time and self-management.
• Computer skills.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

An application for prior learning will be considered in accordance with the prescribed policies and procedures of the Institution.

RPL will be applied to learners with no formal academic achievement to gain access to this qualification, proven expertise and competency will be considered for this process. Learners may apply for exemption from certain modules on grounds of prior qualification of study concerned.

Access to the Qualification

The following criteria are applied to admit learners for the Bachelor of Oral Health Sciences

• A National Senior Certificate granting access to Degree studies.

Or

• A National Certificate (Vocational) granting access to Degree studies.

Or

• A Senior Certificate with exemption.

The Qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 5, 6 and 7 totalling 392 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 5 (90 Credits)

• Behavioural and Social Sciences for Dental Auxiliaries, 18 Credits.
• Fundamentals of Clinical Oral Health I. 36 Credits.
• Anatomy, Oral Biology and Physiology for Dental Auxiliaries, 36 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 6 (150 Credits)

• Fundamentals of Clinical Oral Health II, 48 Credits.
• Integrated Clinical Dentistry for Oral Hygienists, 48 Credits.
• Oral Microbiology and Pathology for Dental Auxiliaries, 18 Credits.
• Bioethics for Dental Auxiliaries, 12 Credits.
• Community Dentistry for Dental Auxiliaries I, 24 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 7 (152 Credits)

• Applied Research and Dental Practice Management for Dental Auxiliaries, 38 Credits.
• Bioethics for Dental Auxiliaries II, 10 Credits.
• Community Dentistry for Dental Auxiliaries II, 28 Credits.
• Fundamentals of Clinical Oral Health III, 76 Credits.

1. Educate and promote oral health for individuals and communities.
2. Identify indications for a radiological examination and carry out radiological examinations on a phantom head apply manual film processing procedures.
3. Explain basic pathology terminology and basic pathological concepts.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of various disciplines of Bioethics.
5. Plan and implement evidence-based programs through Health Promotion.
6. Describe the role of the Dental Therapist in the various aspects of dentistry and dental specialities.
7. Describe the role of the Oral Hygienist in the various aspects of dentistry and dental specialities.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

This qualification allows all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes to be addressed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• The ability to apply the theories of learning and shaping health related behaviour is demonstrated.
• The knowledge of personality and theory to engage with patients and colleagues is applied.
• The motives and emotions behind behaviour and the social and psychological factors that contribute to high levels of risk behaviour are analysed.
• An understanding of social behaviour in individuals and communities is demonstrated.
• An understanding of concepts such as development and poverty is demonstrated by critically reviewing the community using the concepts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Intra-oral x-rays on the phantom head are carried out.
• X-rays are processed manually.
• The properties and chemical components of restorative dental materials are applied.
• How dental materials function physically and mechanically is described.
• Dental materials are technically manipulated to develop the most satisfactory properties and handling.
• Ability on the prevention, initiation progression and treatment of the carious process is demonstrated.
• Appropriate clinical skills in oral hygiene instrumentation and techniques are applied.
• Principles of Pharmacology are applied.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Aetiology, pathogenesis of disease and identification of possible risk factors for disease processes is explained.
• The clinical features with basic histology in order to understand the basis of the disease are correlated.
• The indications for special laboratory investigations, e.g. blood tests, biopsy and smears are recognised.
• The biological behaviour, local and systemic effects and prognosis of diseases are assessed.
• The nature and distribution of microorganisms is explained.
• The bacterial cell and the factors that affect the growth requirements of bacteria are described.
• Plaque formation and factors implicated in dental caries are discussed.
• Prevention and control of oral diseases is explained.
• Isolation and identification of oral disease causing bacteria are performed.
• Practical involvement in culturing normal flora, dental plaque staining and buffering capacity of saliva is illustrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Ethical principles are discussed so that they can recognise problems in the health care context.
• Common terms used in Bioethics are recognised.
• Ethical principles and values based on the theories and principles and professional ethical guidelines are practiced.
• Respect for patients and colleagues without prejudice is demonstrated with an understanding and an appreciation of their diversities of background and opportunity, language and culture.
• Ethical theories and professional ethical guidelines are applied to problems in the health care context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• The basic concepts of public oral health and prevention approaches are described.
• The underlying factors influencing public oral health, including social, cultural, behavioural, economical and political determinants of health are explained.
• The principles and elements of Primary Health Care in relation to oral health are explained.
• The principles and concepts of health promotion are discussed.
• The principles of epidemiology to public oral health settings are described and applied.
• Prevalence, incidence of oral and communicable diseases, their modes of transmission and methods of control are described.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• The underlying biological principles of the areas of dentistry and dental specialities related to the scope of practice of the Dental Therapist are explained.
• The scientific principles and properties of the materials to be used within the scope of practice in dentistry and dental specialities are described.
• Complications that can arise from the treatment of dental patients are described.
• Clinical skills significant for patient management in the different dental settings are applied.
• Dental materials are used and appropriate techniques to be used are applied within the scope of practice in dentistry and dental specialities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• The underlying biological principle of the areas of dentistry and dental specialties related to the scope of practice of the Oral Hygienist is explained.
• The scientific principles and properties of the materials to be used within the scope of practice in dentistry and dental specialities are described.
• Clinical skills significant for patient management in the different dental settings are applied.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment will be achieved from a variety of strategies. These integrated assessment techniques will include written examinations, group and individual projects and assignments, field trips, practical examinations and a research report. Some of the criteria may be accessed through observation of the learners during their classes. Integrated assessment will be both summative and formative.

The summative component will take the form of examinations and practical competency tests and a research report. The assessment will thus integrate practical, theoretical and reflective competence. There will also be written (multiple choice and modified essay questions), objective structured practical examinations will require integration of information from different areas of the course content. Oral examinations may be required.

Formative integrated assessment will take place during lectures, practicals, seminar presentations, discussions and tutorials during which learners are expected to participate in self-assessment, peer assessment and assessment by members of the relevant academic staff.