OVERVIEW
The Bachelor of Oral Hygiene programme is an academic qualification that enables a graduate to perform preventive oral Health care, focusing on maintaining and promoting good oral hygiene on patients and communities and to deliver appropriate oral hygiene services in a wide range of settings, including schools, private practices, dental specialists’ practices such as Orthodontists and Periodontists. A registered oral hygienist can work independently after serving a period of at least one year under the control and supervision of a registered dentist, dental therapist or another registered oral hygienist, and with approval of the HPCSA Board.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a bachelor’s degree
- English – Level 4
- Life Orientation – Level 4
- Life Sciences – Level 4
- Mathematics – Level 3
- Applies to: Choices 1–3 only
Please note: Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Selection is subject to space and discipline requirements.
CURRICULUM
Level 1:
Semester 1
- DENT 141: Oral Biology (16 credits)
- HPHS 111: General Basic Physiology (16 credits)
- EDSJ1CS: Critical Social Justice and Citizenship (0 credits)
Semester 2
- SHSC1BH: Becoming a Healthcare Professional (16 credits)
- ANAT112: Anatomy Head and Neck (8 credits)
- DENT110: Academic Skills and Clinical Practice (8 credits)
- DENT142: Foundation for Clinical Practice (16 credits)
- SHSC1CB: Community Based Care (16 credits)
Choose ONE of the following isiZulu modules: Choose ZULN101 if you are a non-Nguni speaker, or ZULM105 if you are a Nguni speaker. Nguni languages include isiXhosa, isiZulu, siSwati and isiNdebele.
- ZULN101: Basic isiZulu Languages Studies (16 credits)
- ZULULM105: Academic Writing (16 credits)
Level 2
Semester 1
- DENT261: Radiography – Preclinical and Clinical Practice (16 credits)
- DENT243: Basic Dental Clinical Sciences (16 credits)
- DENT277: General Medicine & Special Patients (16 credits)
- DENT275: Clinical Practice in Preventive Dentistry 1 (16 credits)
Semester 2
- DENT264: Restorative Dentistry and Dental Materials (16 credits)
- DENT263: Periodontology 1 (16 credits)
- DENT248: Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine (16 credits)
- DENT262: Clinical Practice in Preventive Dentistry 2 (16 credits)
Level 3
Semester 1
- DENT361: Dental Public Health, Ethics & Practice (16 credits)
- DENT349: Clinical Practice in Oral Hygiene 1 (16 credits)
- DENT342: Periodontology 2 (16 credits)
- DENT343: Clinical Practice in Prevention 1 (16 credits)
Semester 2:
- DENT345: Clinical Practice in Prevention 1 (16 credits)
- DENT346: Clinical Practice in Prevention 2 (16 credits)
- DENT347: Dental Public Health 2 (16 credits)
- DENT348: Business Management (16 credits)
Course Credits: 384 Awaiting Finalisation
