Bachelor of Oral Hygiene

Purpose

The qualification will provide learners with the necessary knowledge, skills, professional behaviour, attitudes and values to be able to promote oral health and general well-being of the individual, family and community systems in which they function. The care provided will be cognisant of the South African context of diverse individual patient/client and broader public health needs. The focus will be on promotive and preventive care at a primary health level that is in line with national and international best oral health practices. The oral hygienist will also provide interceptive and therapeutic care, mainly in a primary and secondary care setting.

The oral hygienist will participate in and promote a multi-disciplinary and inter-professional approach to improve health and oral health.

Rationale

In keeping with the current national strategy of human resources for health, oral hygienists will play a pivotal role in promoting healthy lifestyles in dentistry and thereby lessen the burden of disease. It is thus required that intervention be directed simultaneously in the areas of promotion, prevention and therapeutic care of individuals and communities. The oral hygienist is thus uniquely placed to provide the required care at mainly primary and secondary levels across the public and private practice in both rural and urban settings. Ultimately, improved oral health will lead to the fulfilment of the human need for wellness.

The qualification in Oral Hygiene presents a substantial overlap with that of Dental Therapy in the area of prevention and promotion outcomes. This is a necessary overlap, as holistic patient care requires that the Oral Health Practitioner be competent to promote oral health and prevent oral disease at a primary health care level. However, as the emphasis of oral hygiene is prevention and promotion, this qualification is underpinned by a stronger theoretical framework in the social sciences than that of dental therapy. Dental Therapy includes curative, surgical and more advanced therapeutic measures. Therefore dental therapy is underpinned by a stronger theoretical application in the clinical sciences.

The focus of these professions is thus inherently different. This difference is further reflected in the scopes or practice where the scope of practice of oral hygienists shows the stronger social sciences application, i.e. education, promotion and the public health aspect. The overlap in these professions is less than 40%, which is evident when considering the theory that informs the scope of practice for each of the two professions.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The recognition of prior learning may contribute to the achievement of this qualification. Portfolios of evidence, endorsed by previous mentors, education institutions or employers may be presented and may include learning outcomes achieved through formal learning or work experience. RPL may be awarded following the decision of the relevant provider and in agreement with the relevant Education and Training Quality Assurance. (ETQA)

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor studies.

This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at NQF Level 5, 6 and 7 totalling 368 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 5, 128 Credits

• Integrated Clinical Dentistry 1, 12 Credits.
• Oral Health 1, 28 Credits.
• Radiography 1, 12 Credits.
• English for Health Sciences, 12 Credits.
• Behavioural Science, 16 Credits.
• Dental Public Health1, 8 Credits.
• Physiology, 8 Credits.
• Chemistry IB, 16 Credits.
• Introduction of Microbiology, 4 Credits.
• Applied Anatomy, 8 Credits.
• Oral Biology, 4 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 6, 120 Credits

• Special Patient Care I, 28 Credits.
• Specialized Clinical Dentistry, 28 Credits.
• Periodontology & Oral Medicine, 20 Credits.
• Radiography II, 8 Credits.
• Academic Skills II, 16 Credits.
• Dental Public Health II, 4 Credits.
• Ethical Practice Management I, 4 Credits.
• Applied Oral Pathology, 4 Credits.
• Applied Pharmacology, 8 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 7, 120 Credits

• Oral Medicine, 12 Credits.
• Specialised Clinical Dentistry: Clinical Practice, 32 Credits.
• Special Patient Care II, 32 Credits.
• Radiography III, 12 Credits.
• Dental Public Health III, 8 Credits.
• Ethical Practice Management II, 8 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 16 Credits.

1. Function legally, ethically in the oral healthcare environment within the proper scope of practice.
2. Apply management skills and universal precautions to maintain standards of health and safety in the oral healthcare environment. Promote oral health ad prevent oral diseases following the proper scope of practice.
3. Apply the processes of assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation in all aspects of oral hygiene practice.
4. Explain and demonstrate the educational, preventive, therapeutic and cosmetic interventions expected in terms of the relevant scope of practice.
5. Actively participate in research development that would contribute to the body of evidence of the discipline of oral hygiene.
6. On successful completion of this qualification, the learner will be eligible for registration with the Professional Board for Dental Assisting, Dental Therapy and Oral Hygiene.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria applies across all Exit Level Outcomes

• Apply communication and consultation skills with relevant stakeholders within the community, health environment and other sectors to bring about change and improvement in the oral health and well-being of the community.
• Explain and utilise health promotion and communication skills when interacting with individuals and communities.
• Carry out risk assessments of individuals /groups which includes assessment of their knowledge, practices and attitudes, environmental and other risks impacting on oral health to inform appropriate health promotion strategies.
• Deliver various dental treatment modalities within the scope of practice of an oral hygienist.
• A comprehensive clinical examination is followed by an oral hygiene diagnosis and the generation of a patient-specific oral health care plan, which is based on current scientific information.
• Identify pain and anxiety and apply appropriate behaviour management strategies are applied.
• Identify and explain symptoms of dysfunction of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) and various courses of connection.
• The range of treatments includes other applications of local anaesthesia.
• Identify and refer patients requiring alternative methods of sedation to the relevant practitioner.
• Identify and explain common complications associated with sedation of dental patients and signs and symptoms thereof.
• Provide preventive care to maintain the current oral health status and prevent the onset of oral disease.
• The range of preventive care includes but is not limited to regular oral health assessments, mechanical and chemical plaque control, fissure sealant application, fluoride therapy, management of dental hypersensitivity.
• Maintain cleanliness of the oral clinical facility through adequate hygiene practices, management of professional equipment and instruments.
• Clinical staff should consistently use personal protective equipment and supply to patients when appropriate
• Oversee sterilisation of instruments to ensure the efficacy of the process and integrity of instruments.
• Describe, perform and interpret digital and analogue radiography within the scope of practice of an oral hygienist.
• Assess, analyse, describe and promote oral health and wellness as it pertains to the health of individuals, families and communities.
• Common oral diseases and conditions are described, and individual and population risk factors are identified.
• Range of risk factors includes diet, tobacco product use, poor personal oral hygiene.
• Identify, describe, apply and critically evaluate oral health promotion strategies in a variety of settings to address oral diseases and conditions and promote health-related quality of life.
• Use epidemiological statistics to determine the oral health status of the target community.
• Explain, evaluate and apply ethical and legal responsibilities about oral health care practice during all interactions with patients, colleagues and the community.
• Render all treatment in terms of the Bill of Rights and Patient Charter and maintain patient confidentiality throughout.
• All interactions with colleagues, patients and communities promote human dignity and indicate due sensitivity to ethnic, cultural, religious and gender diversity.
• Explain and apply the legal requirements governing the operation of private practice by the relevant legislation.
• Ethical and legal responsibilities about oral health care practice are explained, evaluated and applied during all interactions with patients, colleagues and the community.
• Personal work plans and for practice protocols for all personnel within the practice are explained.
• Maintain booking registers and patient records in a manner that ensures patient confidentiality and efficiency of the practice.
• Take impressions for orthodontic study casts, cast pouring.
• Explain with examples the preventive, therapeutic and assisting roles of the oral hygienist in general dental practice, dental therapist and dental specialist practices.
• Educate and inform patients about various treatment options in different speciality areas.
• Carry out prescriptions for advanced clinical procedures from dentists or dental therapists following the terms of the scope of practice of the oral hygienist.

Integrated Assessment

Formative and Summative Assessment strategies are used throughout the qualification to meet all outcomes.

Formative Assessment may include

• Tests.
• Written and practical assignments.
• Practical assessments in, for example, clinical/patient examination, health promotion.
• Literature reviews.
• Case Studies.
• Class presentations.
• Seminars.
• Peer evaluations.
• Simulations in structured learning environments.
• Learning portfolios.
• Problem-based cases.

Summative Assessment may include

• Written examinations.
• Oral examinations.
• Practical examinations.
• Supervisor reports on clinical cases.