Master of Science in Oral Medicine

Purpose

The purpose of the Master of Science in Oral Medicine is to offer training in theories, concepts and research methods appropriate to the emerging field of Oral Medicine. This will contribute to the further development and strengthening of engaged scholarship on issues of great relevance to societies and in Africa in particular. In addition, the qualification will build capacity for effective societal responses to social change. The clinical component is designed to meet the needs of dentists from foreign countries who are also academics and have difficulty in obtaining postgraduate training in their own country.

Rationale

The qualification will address the need for training of persons who endeavour to pursue a career in clinical practise and/or academic teaching within the field of Oral Medicine.

The clinical training on the qualification is discipline based and imparts the clinician with the added knowledge to limit clinical practise to this area of expertise. It also addressed the need for focused training in the clinical and academic arena for foreign learners whose countries of origin only offer undergraduate training within this field of interest.

The learners need to have the passion for teaching within this discipline, a passion for the clinical work covered within this discipline. The learning is focused and individualised and take the form of seminars, journal discussions and case based teaching, which is provided by the clinical exposure. All academic and clinical work is supervised by the subject specialist.

The mini thesis schools the learner in the basics of research methods and provides the tools to contribute to literature within the field. The research output of these learners is beneficial to the institution and the academic community in terms of the research generated. The additional clinical skills provide the public with a more suitably qualified clinician within the field of expertise. This additional honing of clinical skills equips the learner with a greater earning potential within both the private and public sectors.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution in order to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirement is

• A Bachelor of Dental Surgery, NQF Level 8.

This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling at 270 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 270 Credits

First Year

• Oral Biology, 15 Credits.
• Oral Pathology, 15 Credits.
• Oral Medicine1A, 70 Credits.
• Research Methods, 20 Credits.

Second Year

• Oral Medicine 2B, 80 Credits.
• Dentistry Mini-Thesis, 70 Credits.

1. Critically engage with the key scholarly debates, key theories in the field of Oral Medicine.
2. Have an understanding of research methodologies in qualitative and quantitative research design, and the ability to select those appropriate for their own work.
3. Identify, analyse, synthesise and undertake independent evaluation of topics relevant to the field.
4. Present a well-structured and developed piece of research which is of publishable standards.
5. Critically demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research.
6. Ability to coherently and logically structure and organise his/her study.
7. Analytically and conceptually apply research tools to the topic under investigation.
8. Demonstrate the ability for critical review and analysis of literature in the field under investigation.
9. Use the techniques offered as part of the clinical training in a professional context.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria applies for Exit Level Outcomes

• Assessing the ability to relate theory to practice and vice versa.
• Assessing the critical understanding of the theory, research methodologies and techniques relevant to Oral Medicine.
• Demonstrate the required knowledge and procedural skills as per the curriculum relevant to Oral Medicine.
• Ability to present and communicate the results of the research to general and expert audience.

Integrated assessment

Assessment is both formative and summative. The learner's clinical skills and competencies will be assessed on an on-going basis and corrective action introduced where progress is unsatisfactory. The satisfactory completion of a logbook links skills training and theoretical knowledge to application in clinical practice. A formal formative assessment will be undertaken at three-monthly intervals to gauge the candidate`s progress. Completion of the thesis requires application of knowledge to the student's own clinical training situation. Assessment of the thesis will be carried out where possible by international external examiners. The final exit examination will consist of a case-based oral assessment and the formal examination of the long essay.