Master of Dentistry in Oral Pathology

The purpose of the qualification is to produce graduates with specialist training in the branch of Oral Pathology, who will be able to be registered at the level of specialist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

The purpose of the qualification is also to produce graduates with expertise in research, which includes the ability to evaluate and implement research findings in the practice of the branch of specialisation and the ability to guide junior candidates if the graduate is in an educational setting.

Hence, graduates have competence in the practice of a specialist field and can contribute to the need for specialist practice and research skills in the health sciences in South Africa.

FORMALLY ACCREDITED LEARNING

A typical applicant

• is registered for independent practice as a dental practitioner with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and as such holds the minimum of the NQF Level 7 qualification of Bachelor of Dental Surgery of the University or an equivalent University-approved qualification - consult the application information for the year of study for which application is being made
• holds the equivalent of an approved full-time training post in the University's Academic Complex or other centre approved by the University.

In order to comply with the points mentioned above, it is assumed that the applicant shows competence in numeracy, written and oral English, and in the terminology of the chosen field.

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Applicants who fall outside of the normal admissions process who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the University that they have a qualification or experiential- or work based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of a qualification specified above (under Formally Accredited Learning), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning. Applicants who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but are in need of further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary programmes prior to admission or parallel programmes after admission.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Clinical Knowledge and Competence

The qualifying learner is competent in clinical skills at the specialist level.

1. Research Ability

The qualifying learner shows expertise in research and the ability to evaluate, teach and implement research findings in the practice of the branch of specialisation.

1. Attitudes and Values

The qualifying learner shows ethical, compassionate and skilled ability to conduct all aspects of specialist dental practice, both in relation to the care of individuals and of populations.

1. Teaching Role

The qualifying learner has knowledge of the principles and practice of dentistry from the basic to an advanced level and is able to train others in the speciality.

1. Self Development

The qualifying learner will have acquired and will demonstrate self direction and independence in his or her learning in order to become a lifelong learner, and will recognise personal education needs, utilise appropriate learning situations and evaluate her or his own progress.

CRITICAL CROSS-FIELD OUTCOMES

a) "identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made." See exit level outcomes 1, 2, 4 and 5.

b) "working with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community." See exit level outcomes 1, 3 and 4.

c) "organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively." See exit level outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 5.

d) "collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information." See exit level outcomes 1 and 2.

e) "communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion." See exit level outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4.

f) "using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others." See exit level outcomes 1, 2 and 5.

g) "demonstrating and understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation." See exit level outcomes 1, 2 and 3.

h) "contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:

i. "reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively;" see exit level outcomes 1, 2, 4 and 5.

ii. "participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities;" see exit level outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5; note also that learners act in accordance with the code of conduct of the University and, where relevant, that of the professional discipline being studied.

iii. "being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts;" see exit level outcomes 1, 3 and 4.

iv. "exploring education and career opportunities." See exit level outcome 1 and 5.

v. Developing entrepreneurial opportunities." See exit level outcomes 5.

1. The qualifying learner demonstrates specialist skills of a standard which enables him or her to sit the external examination in the speciality administered by the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, or the internal University examination. The learner:

• uses problem-solving techniques, which draw on her or his multi-faceted knowledge, in order to arrive at a diagnosis for a patient.
• is able to communicate efficiently and effectively with the patient, other health care workers and the community, e.g. in order to obtain a history, to communicate a treatment regime and explain the dental condition.
• shows sustained competence in psychomotor skills necessary for the practice of specialist skills in the branch studied.
• is competent and responsible in the use of instruments and equipment necessary for the practice of specialist skills in the branch studied.

2. The qualifying learner

• shows research mastery through the production of a research report which demonstrates skills including the ability to evaluate research, review literature, design and perform a study, collect data, perform and interpret statistical analyses on data, interpret results and draw conclusions.
• conducts all research with due regard for the moral, legal and ethical accountability and requirements of the profession.
• practices Evidence-Based Dentistry by critically evaluating published literature in the field (e.g. on the topics of new techniques, therapies and drugs) and applies it in practice.
• is able to guide junior candidates who are studying or working in the same branch of specialisation.

3. The qualifying learner

• shows respect for patients and colleagues without prejudice, with an understanding and appreciation of their diversities of background and opportunity, language and culture.
• where applicable, refers patients to practitioners who are more appropriately qualified than he or she is to treat certain conditions.
• demonstrates an awareness, through actions or in writing, of the moral, legal and ethical responsibilities involved in individual patient care and the provision of care to populations.
• considers both the impact of health care on the environment as well as the impact of the environment on health.
• strives to improve patient care, to reduce inequalities in health care delivery, to optimise the use of health care resources in our society and uses his or her professional capabilities to contribute to community as well as to individual patient welfare by the practise of this branch of specialist dentistry.

4. The qualifying learner

• can teach, through clinical practice at the specialist level, the application of knowledge from the basic to an advanced level to other professionals.
• communicates this knowledge by teaching undergraduates and supervising registrars and more junior colleagues in the speciality.

5. The qualifying learner

• uses appropriate strategies for learning that will prepare him or her for continued professional development throughout life, both as a specialist doctor and as a responsible citizen.
• acknowledges responsibility for continuing professional development (CPD) in order to keep up to date with new developments and to maintain accreditation and meet statutory CPD requirements.
• identifies personal limitations and develops the capacity of self audit and participates in the peer review process, showing a willingness to seek help when necessary.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

Integrated assessment is performed on a continuous basis through evaluation of performance in clinical practice. Further, the research report that the learner submits is used for the integrated assessment of research mastery.