Bachelor of Oral Health
Health Sciences and Social Services - Promotive Health and Developmental Services
Purpose and Rationale
The oral hygienist program aims to train professionals who are well-versed in various aspects of public health, health promotion, clinical work, and research in order to make significant contributions to enhancing oral health both on an individual and population scale.
Moreover, this qualification will also prepare oral hygienists to function as multiskilled professionals, as a substantial 25% of the course credits can be tailored to suit the hygienist's interests and goals. They will have the option to select courses from faculties such as Education, Health Sciences, Arts, and Economics and Management, allowing them to broaden their knowledge and skills beyond the traditional scope of oral hygiene practice.
Outcomes
- Demonstrate communication, reading, academic writing, listening, problem-solving and basic computer literacy skills.
- Make decisions based on a review of available evidence. 3.Understand and apply the principles of health promotion.
- Understand that oral health is an integral component of the general, social and economic health of society.
- Demonstrate a positive, consistent, informed behaviour towards the promotion and maintenance of oral health and prevention of illness at individual and population levels.
- Demonstrate sound educational and communication skills in providing appropriate education to individuals and groups in a variety of settings.
- Measure and record basic oral health levels in individuals and groups.
- Design, implement, evaluate and manage oral health programmes within communities.
- Integrate their knowledge and skills to function within a multi-disciplinary primary health care team.
- Recognise and be able to manage certain oral diseases.
- Demonstrate a practical understanding of epidemiology, biostatistics and research.
- Do a research project, including a research protocol, research process and a report.
- Provide basic oral health care and specialised care within the scope of the hygienist.
- Perform clinical procedures according to the scope of a hygienist as defined by the HPCSA.
- Be equipped to perform clinical procedures within a specialist practice e.g. orthodontics, periodontics, maxillo-facial surgery or prosthodontics.
- Apply preventive procedures including dietary counselling to a range of patients including the medically compromised and disabled.
- Be able to assist in general and specialist practices.
- Make ethically informed decisions within their scope of practice.
Assessment Criteria
The following associated assessment criteria apply across all Exit Level Outcomes:
- Demonstrate effective communication skills through reading, academic writing, listening, problem solving, and basic computer literacy skills.
- Decisions are made based on a review of available evidence.
- The principles of health promotion are understood and applied.
- Knowledge and understanding are demonstrated to reflect the inter-relationship between oral health and the general, social, and economic health of society.
- Oral health and prevention of illness at individual and population levels are positively and consistently promoted and maintained through informed behavior.
- Sound educational and communication skills are demonstrated in providing appropriate education to individuals and groups in a variety of settings.
- Basic oral health levels are measured and recorded in individuals and groups.
- Oral health programs are designed, implemented, evaluated, and managed within communities.
- Knowledge and skills to function within a multi-disciplinary primary health care team are demonstrated in an integrated way.
- Certain oral diseases are recognized and managed.
- Practical understanding of epidemiology, biostatistics, and research are demonstrated practically.
- A research project is completed which includes a research protocol, research process, and a report.
- Basic oral health care and specialized care are provided within the scope of the hygienist.
- Clinical procedures are performed in accordance with the scope of a hygienist as defined by the HPCSA.
- Ability is demonstrated to perform clinical procedures within a specialist practice e.g. orthodontics, periodontics, maxillo-facial surgery, or prosthodontics.
- Preventive procedures including dietary counseling are applied to a range of patients including the medically compromised and disabled.
- The ability to assist in general and specialist practices is demonstrated.
- Ethically informed decisions are made within the scope of practice.
Integrated Assessment: Integrated Assessment is appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved. The assessment is integrated. It is expected of the candidate to examine and assess the oral health status of a wide spectrum of patients, develop a comprehensive treatment plan, implement the treatment plan, and be able to evaluate the outcome of the treatment. A variety of assessment procedures will be used, including:
- Formal end of course assessment (summative).
- Continuing formal assessment (formative and summative).
- Continuing informal assessment (formative).
Assessment will be designed to monitor the learner's level of theoretical knowledge and critical thinking and the learner's practical skills and clinical reasoning.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 400
- 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.