Master of Dentistry in Orthodontics

Purpose

The purpose of the Master of Dentistry in Orthodontics is to educate and train orthodontic registrars to become highly proficient Orthodontists who serve their patients and society with the utmost professionalism, reflecting positively on their training institution, themselves and the orthodontic profession.

Qualifying learners are equipped 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.

Rationale

Orthodontic specialists are needed to provide specialist services and address the high prevalence of malocclusion in South Africa.

The qualification equips specialising dentists with skills to manage the full range of dentofacial discrepancies- most common being cleft lip and palate; an array of malocclusions - dental and skeletal and interdisciplinary cases like ortho-Perio, ortho-prostho, orthognathic cases. They are also equipped with the skills for practice management and to deal with the psychological aspects of orthodontic treatment.

The qualification will produce graduates with specialist training in the branch of Orthodontics who will be able to be registered as specialists with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and may proceed to further their Doctoral studies.

Recognition of Prior Learning

There are no other options for entry into the qualification as it leads to specialist clinical practice as a Medical Practitioner registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Dental Science, NQF Level 8.

or

• Bachelor of Dental Surgery or equivalent, NQF Level 8.

And

• Minimum of two years registered as a dentist by the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

This qualification comprises of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 481 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 481 Credits

• Applied Anatomy for Dentists, 15 credits
• Physiology, 15 credits
• Applied Pathology for Dentists, 15 credits
• Research Techniques, 15 credits
• Clinical Practice in Orthodontics I, 30 credits
• Research Report I, 20 credits
• Clinical Practice in Orthodontics II, 65 credits
• Research Report II, 35 credits
• Cranio-Facial Anomalies I, 15 credits
• Oral Pathology, 5 credits
• Clinical Practice in Orthodontics III, 60 credits
• Research Report III, 40 credits
• Cranio-Facial Anomalies II, 15 credits
• Developmental and Educational Psychology, 6 credits.
• Clinical Practice in Orthodontics IV, 45 credits
• Research Report IV, 60 credits
• Cranio-Facial Anomalies III, 15 credits
• Practice Administration, 10 credits.

1. Show competence in clinical skills at the specialist level.
2. Evaluate, teach, and implement research findings in the practice of the branch of specialisation.
3. Apply ethical, compassionate, and skilled ability to conduct all aspects of specialist dental practice, both in relation to the care of individuals and of populations.
4. Assess the principles and practice of dentistry from the basic to an advanced level and can train others in the specialty.
5. Demonstrate self-direction and independence in his or her learning to become a lifelong learner, and will recognise personal education needs, utilise appropriate learning situations and evaluate her or his own progress/

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1

• Use problem-solving techniques, which draw on her or his multi-faceted knowledge, in order to arrive at a diagnosis for a patient.
• 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.
• Show sustained competence in psychomotor skills necessary for the practice of specialist skills in the branch studied.
• Use instruments and equipment necessary for the practice of specialist skills in the branch studied.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2

• Show 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.
• Conduct all research with due regard for the moral, legal and ethical accountability and requirements of the profession.
• Practice 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.
• Guide junior learners who are studying or working in the same branch of specialisation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3

• Show respect for patients and colleagues that encompasses, without prejudice, diversity of background and opportunity, language, culture and way of life.
• Refer patients to practitioners who are more appropriately qualified than he or she is to treat certain conditions.
• Demonstrate 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.
• Consider both the impact of health care on the environment as well as the impact of the environment on health.
• Strive 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.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4

• Teach, through clinical practice at the specialist level, the application of knowledge from the basic to an advanced level to other professionals.
• Communicate this knowledge by teaching underqualified learners and supervising registrars and more junior colleagues in the speciality.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5

• Show respect for patients and colleagues without prejudice, with an understanding and appreciation of their diversities of background and opportunity, language and culture.
• Acknowledge responsibility for continuing professional development (CPD) to keep up to date with new developments and to maintain accreditation and meet statutory CPD requirements.
• Identify personal limitations and develop the capacity of self audit and participate in the peer review process, showing a willingness to seek help when necessary.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

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

To promote, monitor and measure student learning throughout a course, no single assessment may count for more than 40% of the final mark unless there are special circumstances, in which case the permission of the Dean is required.