Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Dental Sciences

Overview

The Department of Dental Sciences is located within the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences. Dental Sciences at CPUT trains both dental assistants and dental technologists whom forms part of the larger dental team in ensuring that oral health is maintained by restoring oral function and aesthetics.

The Department of Dental Sciences offers a Higher certificate in Dental Assisting (HC), a new HEQSF aligned Bachelors of Health Science in Dental Technology (BHSc) and a Masters of Health Sciences in Dental Technology (MHSc).

The HC in Dental Assisting addresses the need in the dental profession for dental assistants with recognised qualifications and relevant education and training. A dental assistant will support dentists in treating patients and will therefore be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The HC in Dental assisting is a full-time 1 year course.

The BHSc in Dental Technology graduates dental technologists who will be part of the oral health team responsible for making various dental prostheses. Dental technology students are engaged with patient-specific dental work and must register with the South African Dental Technicians Council. (SADTC) The BHSc in Dental Technology is a full-time 4 year course. An extended programme (ECP) 5 year course in BHSc in Dental Technology is also offered.

The Masters of Health Sciences in Dental Technology (MHSc) is a 180 credits qualification, offered at the NQSF level 9, and students conduct independent research under the guidance of an appointed supervisor who also is an authority in that specific area in which the intended research is conducted. The MHsc in Dental technology is 2 year course full-time course.

This department prides itself on educating professionals to form part of the oral health team as a whole. Our high standard of training is widely acknowledged by industry and our graduates find employment internationally.

Vision

A world-renowned African technology-driven, Dental Science department taking the lead in research -led Dental Sciences education and innovation.

Mission

To develop innovative, empowered Dental Technology and Dental Assisting graduates and staff through academic excellence, dental professional industry engagements and community service with the aim to improve the oral health of society.

Values

The Department of Dental Sciences strives to foster the following core values by:

• Encouraging Unity and inclusivity among all students, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Embracing diversity and transformation through an inclusive innovative, learning environment.
• Promoting ethical behavior by instilling integrity, honesty and respecting human rights.
• Taking responsibility by being accountable for one’s actions and encouraging transparency in all aspects.
• Being compassionate in all actions for the well-being of all students, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Motivating students and staff to be determined and assertive individuals in pursuing life-long learning.

Brief overview of undergraduate qualifications offered:

Higher certificate Dental Assisting

The purpose of this qualification is to supply the dental profession with competent dental assistants who can be employed in dental practices or dental clinics to assist dental practitioners. The qualification addresses the need in the dental profession for dental assistants with recognised qualifications and relevant education and training. As a dental assistant you will support dentists in treating patients and will therefore be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

Bachelor of Health Science in Dental Technolog

The purpose of this course is to educate and train competent, responsible and accountable dental technologists for the dental profession. The course addresses the needs of the dental profession for qualified dental technologists with relevant qualifications that are recognised both nationally and internationally. Dental technology students are engaged with patient-specific dental work as early as their first year of study. This is done in collaboration with the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of the Western Cape and includes community projects. Dental technicians must register with the South African Dental Technicians Council. (SADTC)

Masters of Health Sciences in Dental Technology

The aim of this research qualification is to develop scholarship in the fields of dental material sciences, dental technology, new and future technologies, the business of dental technology, professional jurisprudence, professional ethics and conduct, dental technology specific education/teaching and learning and any other profession specific focus areas.

Ultimately, the graduate will make a valuable contribution to the existing body of knowledge and initiate change that will help to develop and advance the profession of dental technology.

Minimum Entrance Requirements

NOTE: International applicants should always have their qualification/s evaluated by SAQA before applying for undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications, along with RPL applications

Modes of Learning, Teaching and Assessment

Dental sciences adopts the blended learning and teaching approach where classes and assessments are conducted online (virtually) and face-to-face on campus as well as clinical training through Work Integrated Leaning (WIL) at the clinical clinical centres (hospitals, community health centres and clinics)

Recognition of Prior Learning

What is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?

RPL provides an opportunity for you to identify your learning, have it assessed and formally acknowledged. The process involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience. RPL processes will apply to applicants who:

• require access to first year as they do not meet the minimum entrance requirements. NOTE: applicants may be asked to complete appropriate workshops to upgrade your knowledge towards developing your RPL portfolio
• require exemption from certain subjects if the applicant has studied radiography or another health science qualification at CPUT or at a different institution and would like to further their studies at CPUT.

Follow the link for more information: https://www.cput.ac.za/study/rpl

Career prospects

Dental assisting

Dental assistants find employment with dental practitioners and other auxiliaries in dental practices, hospitals, and clinics, in both the private and public sectors.

International demand for trained dental assistants is increasing with a number of students working abroad.

BHSc in Dental Technology

Graduates register as dental technologists and work for a dental technologist in a registered commercial dental laboratory or in a registered government dental training hospital (such as the Dental Faculty of UWC).

BSc Enquiries

Mrs Sakeena Banderker
Po Box 19111
Tygerberg Campus
Tygerberg
7505
Phone: +27 (021) 9595571
BanderkerS@cput.ac.za

Postgraduate studies information

Students interested in pursuing postgraduate studies can complete a Master of Health Sciences Degree (MHSc) NQF (Level 9) in Dental Technology.

Master of Health Sciences in Dental Technology (MHSc)

This qualification is intended to further develop researchers who will contribute, through independent research in a radiography-related field. The research problem, its justification, methodology, and outcome are reported in a thesis that complies with the accepted norms for research at this level. This practitioner will also demonstrate a high level of overall knowledge in radiography, ranging from fundamental concepts to advanced theoretical or applied knowledge.

Introduction to the programme

This 180 credits qualification is offered at the NQSF level 9, and students will conduct independent research under the guidance of an appointed supervisor who also is an authority in that specific area in which the intended research will be conducted.

Where the intended research cuts across different disciplines, the university will appoint a co-supervisor/s as and when required.

Assessment

The final assessment will be based on the thesis or dissertation submitted which will be externally assessed by examiners appointed by the university.

In preparation for your registration

Prospective students are encouraged to develop a clear idea of what it is that they would want to research prior to them registering for the said qualification. This implies that a basic problem statement must exist with clear outcomes identified.

Prospective students are encouraged to contact the Department of Dental Sciences for guidance before submitting their application for registration. Doing so will prevent unnecessary waste of time and funds.

Entrance requirements

A four-year profession related qualification equal to the BTech: Dental Technology or a BHSc professional degree in dental technology. In the case of non-South Africans qualifications, a SAQA http://www.saqa.org.za/evaluation is required before such application can be considered. Depending of the nature of the research study an applicant may have to be registered with the SADTC as a dental technologist.

Additional requirements

Apart from this being a full research qualification, the university may expect students to do subject specific coursework that will underpin their research endeavour as and when such needs are identified. One such area may be research methods, techniques and statistics.

Purpose of the programme

The aim of this research qualification is to develop scholarship in the fields of dental material sciences, dental technology, new and future technologies, the business of dental technology, professional jurisprudence, professional ethics and conduct, dental technology specific education/teaching and learning and any other profession specific focus areas.

Ultimately, the graduate will make a valuable contribution to the existing body of knowledge and initiate change that will help to develop and advance the profession of dental technology.

Duration

Full-time 100% Research: A minimum of one (1) calendar year and a maximum of three (3) years

Part-time 100% Research: A minimum of one (2) calendar year and a maximum of four (4) years

Registration with the South African Dental Technicians Council (SADTC)

The nature of the research may require from prospective students to be registered with the SADTC who is the statutory regulator of the dental technology profession. Please seek clarity in this regard if you are not registered as a practitioner in South Africa. This authority can be contacted via the website http://www.sadtc.org.za/

Fees

Study and other fees are available from the CPUT website and is updated annually.

Postgraduate enquiries

For further enquiries, please contact:
Mrs Sakeena Banderker
Po Box 19111
Tygerberg Campus
Tygerberg
7505
Phone: +27 (021) 9595571
BanderkerS@cput.ac.za