Bachelor of Dental Therapy
Health Sciences and Social Services - Promotive Health and Developmental Services
Purpose and Rationale
Qualification Overview
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to provide the learner with the necessary scientific knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to function as a practitioner in oral health care independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary healthcare team. The focus is on holistic care ranging from prevention of oral disease and promotion of oral health to alleviation of oral abnormalities, pain, and disease. The practitioner will serve individual clients and the broader public in public and private sectors, operating in the sub-fields of preventive, promotive, and rehabilitative health.
Rationale:
Oral diseases are highly prevalent in South Africa, impacting physical, social, psychological, and economic well-being. Various levels of intervention are required, including promotion, prevention, therapeutic, curative, surgical, and rehabilitative measures. The practitioner will cater to individuals and communities across different social and economic contexts, providing cost-effective oral care in diverse settings. The qualification aims to produce competent practitioners who can adapt to the unique circumstances of a changing South Africa with an emphasis on health care equity and meeting human resource needs effectively. The qualification is aligned with the requirements for registration with the Professional Board for Dental Therapy and Oral Hygiene of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
Outcomes
- Impact the ability for self-directed learning and understanding that dental education is a life-long learning activity###
- Demonstrate knowledge and insight into the environmental and social determinants of health and disease, and their relationship to development, as well as the biological rationale of oral health###
- Communicate interpersonal relations and interactions with, and education for, individuals, families and communities, and other health workers###
- Select appropriate interventions for the attainment and management of oral health on an equitable basis, and at the appropriate level of care, and based on sound scientific evidence###
- Demonstrate knowledge of the effective mechanisms for the prevention of dental diseases at both individual and community levels, and at all levels of treatment###
- Display technical skills for the recognition and provision of appropriate treatment procedures within the scope of their training and expertise###
- Practice ethics in a variety of settings and societies with different value systems###
- Manage, design, implement and evaluate oral health programmes for individuals and communities###
- Participate in research in a variety of settings.
Assessment Criteria
Exit Level Outcomes Assessment Criteria:
- Communication and consultation skills: Apply communication and consultation skills with relevant stakeholders to bring about change and improvement in oral health and well-being.
- Health promotion and communication skills: Explain and utilize health promotion and communication skills when interacting with individuals and communities.
- Risk assessments: Conduct risk assessments of individuals/groups to inform appropriate health promotion strategies.
- Dental treatment modalities: Deliver various dental treatment modalities within the scope of practice.
- Comprehensive clinical examination: Perform a comprehensive clinical examination, diagnosis, and develop a client-specific oral health care plan.
- Pain and anxiety management: Identify pain and anxiety, and apply appropriate behavioral management strategies.
- Therapeutic treatments: Administer local anesthesia and refer clients requiring alternative sedation methods.
- Complications of sedation: Identify common complications associated with sedation and explain signs and symptoms.
- Preventive care: Provide preventive care to maintain oral health and prevent oral diseases.
- Oral clinical facility hygiene: Maintain cleanliness of the oral clinical facility through adequate hygiene practices.
- Personal protective equipment: Consistently use personal protective equipment for staff and supply to clients when appropriate.
- Radiography: Describe, perform, and interpret digital and analogue radiography within scope of practice.
- Oral health and wellness: Assess, analyze, describe, and promote oral health and wellness for individuals, families, and communities.
- Oral diseases and conditions: Describe common oral diseases and identify risk factors.
- Health promotion strategies: Identify, describe, apply, and evaluate oral health promotion strategies in various settings.
- Epidemiological statistics: Use epidemiological statistics to determine the oral health status of the target community.
- Ethical and legal responsibilities: Explain, evaluate, and apply ethical and legal responsibilities in oral health care practice.
- Private practice operations: Explain and apply legal requirements governing private practice operations.
- Work plans and protocols: Explain personal work plans and practice protocols for all personnel within the practice.
- Client records: Maintain booking registers and client records ensuring confidentiality and efficiency.
- Roles of general dental practice: Explain preventive, therapeutic, and assisting roles with examples.
- Treatment options: Educate and inform clients about various treatment options in different specialty areas.
- Prescriptions: Carry out prescriptions for advanced clinical procedures following scope of practice.
- Integrated Assessment: Utilize formative and summative assessment strategies throughout the qualification.
Formative Assessment Tools:
- Tests
- Written and practical assignments
- Practical assessments (e.g., clinical/client examination, health promotion)
- Literature reviews
- Case studies
- Class presentations
- Seminars
- Peer evaluations
- Simulations
- Learning portfolios
- Problem-based cases
Summative Assessment Tools:
- Written examinations
- Oral examinations
- Practical examinations
- Supervisor reports on clinical cases
- Objective Simulated Clinical Evaluation Scenarios (OSCEs)
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 360
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.