Applied Sciences
Business & Management Sciences
Education
Engineering & the Built Environment
Health & Wellness Sciences
Biomedical Sciences
Dental Sciences
Emergency Medical Sciences
Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences
Nursing Science
Ophthalmic Sciences
Wellness Sciences 
Informatics & DesignDental Sciences
The Department of Dental Sciences is located within the Health and Wellness Sciences Faculty. Dental Sciences at CPUT trains dental assistants and technologists who form part of the larger dental team and ensure 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 Bachelor of Health Science in Dental Technology (BHSc), and a Masters of Health Sciences in Dental Technology (MHSc).
The HC in Dental Assisting is a full-time, one-year course that 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 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, four-year course. An extended programme (ECP) five-year course in BHSc in Dental Technology is also offered.
The Masters of Health Sciences in Dental Technology (MHSc) is a 180-credit qualification offered at the NQSF level 9. Students conduct independent research under the guidance of an appointed supervisor who is also an authority in the specific area in which the intended research is conducted. The MHsc in Dental Technology is a two-year full-time course.
This department prides itself on educating professionals to join the oral health team. 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 is leading in research-led Dental science 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 to improve society's oral health.
Values
The Department of Dental Sciences strives to foster the following core values:
- Encouraging Unity and inclusivity among all students, staff, and external stakeholders.
- Embracing diversity and transformation through an inclusive, innovative learning environment.
- Promoting ethical behaviour by instilling integrity and honesty and respecting human rights.
- Taking responsibility by being accountable for one’s actions and encouraging transparency.
- 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 in pursuing life-long learning.
Undergraduate qualifications
Higher Certificate Dental Assisting
This qualification aims to supply the dental profession with competent dental assistants who can be employed in dental practices or clinics to assist dental practitioners. It 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 Technology
This course aims 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 recognised 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)
Career Prospects, Minimum Entrance Requirements, RPL and Enquiries
Minimum Entrance Requirements
| APS Score | English (HL OR FAL) | Maths | Life Science | Physical Science | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HC Dental Assisting | 25+ | 3 | 2 | 3 | |
| BHSc Dental Technology | 33+ | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| BHSc Dental Technology Extended program | 27+ | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
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 adopt 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 Learning (WIL) at the clinical centres (hospitals, community health centres and clinics)
Recognition of Prior Learning
RPL allows you to identify what you are learning and have it assessed and formally acknowledged. The process involves identifying, mediating, evaluating and recognising knowledge and skills obtained through formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience. RPL processes will apply to applicants who:
- They require access to the first year to meet the minimum entrance requirements. NOTE: applicants may be asked to complete appropriate workshops to upgrade their knowledge towards developing their RPL portfolio
- require exemption from certain subjects if the applicant has studied radiography or another health science qualification at CPUT or a different institution and would like to further their studies at CPUT.
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 students working abroad.
BHSc in Dental Technology
Graduates register as dental technologists and work for a dental technologist in a commercial dental laboratory or a registered government dental training hospital (such as the Dental Faculty of UWC).
BSc Enquiries
For further enquiries, please contact:
Mrs Sakeena Banderker021 959 5571
PO Box 19111, Tygerberg Campus, Tygerberg 7505
Postgraduate studies information
Students interested in pursuing postgraduate studies can complete a Masters of Health Sciences Degree (MHSc) NQF (Level 9) in Dental Technology.
Master of Health Sciences in Dental Technology (MHSc)
This research qualification aims 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 contribute to the existing body of knowledge and initiate change that will help develop and advance the dental technology profession.
This qualification is intended to develop researchers who will contribute further 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-credit 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 they would want to research before 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. For non-South African qualifications, a SAQA evaluation is required before such an application can be considered. Depending on 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
This research qualification aims 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 develop and advance the dental technology profession.
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 prospective students to be registered with the SADTC, the statutory regulator of the dental technology profession. Please seek clarity if you are not registered as a practitioner in South Africa. This authority can be contacted via the website:
Fees
Study and other fees are available from the CPUT website and are updated annually.
Postgraduate Enquiries
Mrs Sakeena Banderker
021 959 5571
PO Box 19111, Tygerberg Campus, Tygerberg 7505