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Education & Training / Careers






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

Private general practice
Private specialised practice

Department of Health

District Health Services (Community & Clinical Services)

Military Health Service

Oral Health Clinics (Community & Clinical Services)

Academic Institutions

Universities









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Published on: 2004-04-26 (7866 reads)

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