SMU School of Oral Health Sciences

SMU School of Oral Health Sciences

About Us

In 1975, the then Department of Health and Welfare, having recognised the need for dental therapists, decided to make facilities for their training available at the Ga Rankuwa Hospital. During 1980 the first Dean of the Faculty, Prof L T Tariaard was appointed on a part time basis
The building of the dental’ complex started in 1984. The hospital accommodates all the required clinical facilities and was officially inaugurated towards the end of 1987
234 Dental surgeries are available in the hospital for clinical utilisation and a full spectrum of service laboratories is housed in the complex. The hospital, with its own three surgical theatres, is equipped to treat approximately 600 patients per day
In July 1989 control of the hospital was transferred from the Department of National Health and Population Development to the then Transvaal Provincial Administration and subsequently to the Gauteng Provincial Government.

Academic Programmes

BACHELORS DEGREE PROGRAMMES

Bachelor of Dental Surgery – BDS
Bachelor of Dental Therapy – BDentTher
Bachelor of Oral Hygiene – BOralHyg

HONOURS DEGREE PROGRAMMES

Bachelor of Science Honours in Dental Sciences

POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES

Postgraduate Diploma in Dentistry (PG Dip in Dent)
Within the following streams:

  • Endodontics
  • Paedodontics
  • Orthodontics
  • Minor Oral Surgery
  • Community Dentistry

Admission requirements:
Dentist registered with the professional board of country, but HPCSA registration is required for clinical duties in any of these programmes.
The aim of the PG Dip Dent is to provide Dentists an opportunity to improve their knowledge base, usually in one particular field in Dentistry.   South African Dentists have the added advantage that the Diploma in Dentistry may contribute points towards the compulsory Continuing Professional Development programme of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).   The Diploma in Dentistry is an ideal vehicle for updating a practitioner on recent developments in a particular field in Dentistry and serves as a basis for a Master’s Degree programme

  • Duration is two years part-time
  • Application is subjected to departmental consideration and approval

Master of Dentistry (M Dent)

  • Within the following specialties:
  • Community Dentistry
  • Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery
  • Oral Pathology
  • Orthodontics
  • Periodontics and Oral Medicine
  • Prosthodontics

Admission requirements:
Registered with HPCSA as dentist and have practiced for at least two years, post-graduate diplomas, primaries and other masters degree will be an advantage. Primaries and ATLS are a requirement for students wishing to study for an MDent (MFOS) degree. Minimum of 65% in the field of interest at undergraduate level.

  • The aim is to train dentists in a specialty in dentistry
  • Duration depends of the specialty, but ranges from four to five years
  • Admission is subjected to availability of a training post, which will be advertised nationally and subjected to interview and appointment as a registrar

Master of Dental Science (MDS)
Two streams:

  • MDS by course work, which include mini-dissertation
  • MDS by research by major dissertation

Admission requirements:
In possession of at least a BDS or equivalent degree and registered with the professional board
The aim is to increase the depth of knowledge of a dentist in a specific field of dentistry

  • Duration will be a minimum of one year and maximum of three years
  • Application is subjected to departmental consideration and approval

Bachelor of Science Honours in Dental Science (BSc (Hons)(Dent Sc))
Admission requirements:
In possession of a BSc in Microbiology
The aim is bridge the gap of teaching and research in schools of dentistry by non-dental basic scientists and to provide the industry involved in the development of dental materials and equipment with appropriate trained scientists

  • Duration will be a minimum of one year and maximum of two years
  • Application is subjected to departmental consideration and approval

Master of Science in Dentistry (MSc (Dent))
Admission requirements:
In possession of a BSc (Hons)(Dent Sc) degree
The aim is to provide a career path for non-dental scientists appointed to training institutions in dentistry and to provide the industry involved in the development of dental materials and equipment with appropriate trained scientists.

  • Duration will be a minimum of one year and maximum of three years
  • Application is subjected to departmental consideration and approval

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Admission requirement:
Master’s degree or equivalent
Aim is to provide an opportunity to perform an in-depth research project in a field of Dentistry

  • Duration is two years
  • Application is subject to departmental consideration and approval

For more information on the course(s) listed above, download the school calendar