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Legislation and Regulation governing Oral Hygiene
Practice in South Africa
The practice of Oral Hygiene has been governed by legislation since 1969, even before oral
hygiene education commenced. Currently, the policy of the Health Professions Council of
South Africa (HPCSA) states that courses in oral hygiene must be conducted at a dental
faculty or a department of dentistry at a university and that matriculation exemption is a
requirement for entry to the course. The scope of practice was initially enacted in 1974
by the Minister of Health and Welfare in the Medical, Dental and Supplementary Health
Service Professions Act and extended in 2000 to include extended functions.
Oral hygienists are legally required to be registered annually by payment of a fee to the
HPCSA. The oral hygiene profession is regulated by the Professional Board for Dental
Therapy and Oral Hygiene under the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The
chairman of the Professional Board for Dental Therapy and Oral Hygiene has voting rights
in the Council on matters concerning oral hygiene. At present the initial law, which
requires oral hygienists to practice under the direct supervision of dentists is in
effect. However, the Oral Hygienists’ Association of South Africa (OHASA) is
currently pursuing a reduction of direct supervision requirements in order to implement
independent practice. As is presently the case, independent practice patients will still
be treated only on referral and responsibility of the dentists. This move has been
accepted by the Professional Board for Dental Therapy and Oral Hygiene and the HPCSA but
has not yet been approved by the Minister of Health.
Oral Hygiene Education and Academic Tradition in South
Africa
The duration of all programs is two years, at the end of which a Diploma in Oral Hygiene
is issued. There is an academic entry requirement to be admitted into programs, which
constitutes 12 years of schooling and a matriculation.
Starting in 2002, the University of the Western Cape will offer a Bachelor’s Degree
in Oral Health. Courses of the diploma program will be given academic credit towards the
higher degree.
After graduation from an accredited program, oral hygienists are registered with the
Professional Board for Dental Therapy and Oral Hygiene. Since 2000 the Minister of Health
has approved extended functions into the scope of oral hygiene practice. Previously
qualified practicing oral hygienists will be permitted to perform these functions after
attending upgrading coursework. Upon successful completion a certificate of competency
will be issued for registration purpose. OHASA has achieved that continuing professional
development should become compulsory in 2004.
Today, the oral hygiene student body includes representatives of all ethnicities residing
in South Africa. All universities offer general financial assistance to students if
necessary and on merit.
Educational Programs in Oral Hygiene are offered at:
| Education & Training Institution Contact Details |
| University of Stellenbosch |
|
Ms E Potgieter
Tel (+27) 21 9373124
E-mail ep@sun.ac.za |
| University of the Western Cape |
|
Ms N Gordon
Tel (+27) 21 3704400
E-mail ngordon@uwc.ac.za |
| University of Pretoria |
|
Ms R du Bruyn
Tel (+27) 12 3192645
E-mail rdubruyn@med.up.ac.za |
| University of Witwatersrand |
|
Urvashnee Govender
Tel (+27) 11 488 4894
E-mail govenderu@sph.wits.ac.za |
| University of Durban Westville |
|
Ms Val Gounden
Tel (+27) 31 2095323
E-mail goundens@ukzn.ac.za |
| Medical University of South Africa |
|
Ms Margaret Ravhengani
Tel (+27) 12 521 4938
E-mail mravhengani@webmail.co.za |
Career Opportunities
Private Sector
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Private general practice |
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Private specialised practice |
Department of Health
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District Health Services (Community & Clinical Services) |
Military Health Service
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Oral Health Clinics (Community & Clinical Services) |
Academic Institutions
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Universities |
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