Higher Certificate in Dental Assisting

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to develop learners who will be competent in the knowledge, attitudes, insight and skills required for the dental assisting profession. The qualifying learner will be able to competently apply and integrate theoretical principles, evidence-based techniques, practical experience, clinical procedures and appropriate skills in an independent manner in a variety of dental practice settings. Mechanisms will also be put in place to ensure that the proposed qualification meets the needs of all stakeholders which include the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), industry, learners and Dental Assistant Association South Africa (DAASA). The new qualification in Dental Assisting will be designed to provide learners with discipline-specific competencies as well as general education, management and communication skills.

Rationale

South Africa is currently undergoing major restructuring of the health system to improve health outcomes and reduce inequities in access. Such inequities exist between private and public health care and within the public health system itself. The current healthcare system is curative in focus. However due to inequitable spending on health, the country is facing multiple disease threats consisting of HIV and AIDS and tuberculosis (TB), chronic diseases, injuries, maternal and child mortality. These are the main factors that have led the South African Government to embark on a 'total overhaul' of the system to meet its constitutional mandate to provide access to quality health care for all South Africans. The vision of the Human Resource Plan of the Department of Health in South Africa is to ensure that:

• There exists a workforce that meets the needs of the re-engineered health system.
• Measurably improve access to quality health care for all by 2030.

In order to ensure the financial sustainability of the new health plan, it is imperative that preventative and curative health is given high priority. At the primary healthcare level, the focus is on promotion, prevention and treatment of oral diseases. Oral health professionals including dental assistants at clinic level promote oral health by educating people on how to keep their mouths, gums and teeth in good health and by showing people how to prevent tooth decay and other oral problems. Dental information and education is also given to pregnant women as part of the antenatal service by dental assistants. Dental assistants provide a range of educational services to the public. Furthermore, they greatly increase the efficiency of the oral health professionals such as dentists, dental specialists, oral hygienists and dental therapists in the delivery of quality oral health care. Dental Assistants are valuable members of the dental care team and the demand for their services continues to grow as more dentists rely on them to prepare patients for dental procedures, record accurate information, instruct patients on postoperative and general oral healthcare.

According to the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) statistics, there are currently 8147 registered dental health care professionals, of which 2016 are Dental Assistants (www.hpcsa.co.za). Since many Dentists typically hire two or more Dental Assistants per practice, employment opportunities in this field are almost doubled. According to CAO records, the Dental Assisting qualification at the Durban University of Technology has received sufficient applications for enrolment over the past five years and the demand for this course has markedly increased due to the promulgation of regulations related to the registration of Dental Assistants with the professional body. Registration with the HPCSA is a prerequisite for practicing as a Dental Assistant and in terms of section 17 of the Health Professions Act, 1974 (Act No. 56 of 1974).

In Nov 2013 the Dental Assisting Programme at Durban University of Technology hosted the HPCSA Professional Board Stakeholder Meeting. This meeting was attended by Health Care Practitioners, from public and private sectors and members of HPCSA Dental Therapy Board. At this meeting the need for training, certification and HPCSA registration was reiterated. DUT was also advised to offer the qualification on a part-time basis in addition to the current full-time course to cater for a large number of experienced but uncertified and unregistered "Dental Assistants" that are still present in the workplace (public and private).

Another development within the Dental Assisting qualification was the national curriculum-renewal process which started many years ago. Through consultation with the relevant stakeholders [Advisory board members, Dental Assistants Association of South Africa (DAASA), HPCSA] and in collaboration with other UoT's that offer Dental Assisting it was concluded that there's a significant demand for a Higher Certificate in Dental Assisting.

The Dental Assisting Programme at the Institution has the required capacity and the infrastructure in the form of practical classrooms, well-resourced library and appropriately qualified academic and support staff. Dental Assisting students in the department have access to a dedicated internet-enabled computer laboratory and two open access computer laboratories to further assist in their self-directed learning endeavours.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This Qualification may be achieved through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) which will be assessed as per the University policy.

Entry Requirements

Admission requirements for the qualification are as follows

• Senior Certificate (SC) or National Senior Certificate with endorsement for entry into Higher Certificate Studies.

Or

• Equivalent qualification at NQF Level 4.

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at NQF Level 5, totalling128 Credits.

Modules

• Dental Assisting Theory, 32 Credits.
• Oral Anatomy and Pathology, 24 Credits.
• Dental Practice Management, 12 Credits.
• Dental Assisting Practical, 24 Credits.
• Dental Assisting Clinical Practice, 16 Credits.
• Cornerstone, 12 Credits.
• Pharmacology for Dental Assisting, 8 Credits.

1. Make preparations to function as a dental assistant.
2. Assist the dental practitioner with the clinical examination of the oral cavity.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of Radiography and its applications in Dentistry.
4. Apply a range of communication techniques in the context of a dental practice or dental clinic.
5. Maintain administrative functions in a dental practice or clinic.
6. Practice Infection control in dental practice or dental clinic.
7. Apply necessary measures during an emergency.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• The patient is prepared for examination.
• Dental instruments, appliances and material for procedure are prepared.
• Patients with specific needs are attended to.
• Patient's history is collected and updated.
• Patient's condition is clearly communicated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• The principles of four handed-dentistry techniques are applied.
• The required local anaesthetics and other sedation are prepared and handled as required.
• The required procedures in restorative care are carried out.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Knowledge of radiation protection is demonstrated.
• Knowledge of dental radiographic procedures is demonstrated and applied.
• Knowledge of minor dental pathology is demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Professionalism and an interpersonal code of conduct are adhered to.
• Patient's emotional stress is dealt with through appropriate therapeutic communication techniques.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Patients are managed and effective correspondence handled.
• Basic financial management is performed.
• Dental stock is classified and controlled.
• Computer is effectively used.
• Office routine is maintained.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Knowledge of sterilisation and infection control measures is demonstrated and applied.
• Sterilisation logs and records are maintained.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• The symptoms of an emergency are recognised.
• Emergency procedures are initiated.
• Assistance with emergency care is rendered.

Integrated Assessment

The assessment will include both formative and summative assessment. Assessment will be done on the following basis

Coursework assessment

• Written tests per subject where applicable.
• Practical work is assessed where applicable.
• Practical evaluation where applicable.
• Assignment where applicable.