Program Overview

Programme: MChD in Maxillo-facial and Oral Surgery

Introduction

The MChD in Maxillo-facial and Oral Surgery is a four-year programme that, on completion, allows the incumbent to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a specialist maxillofacial and oral surgeon. The programme offers specialised training in maxillofacial and oral surgery, with exposure to sub-speciality fields like head and neck oncology and cleft deformities of the face.

Programme Information

• The programme is offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of School of Dentistry.
• Minimum duration of study: 4 years
• Total credits: 565
• NQF level: 09

Curriculum

The curriculum is divided into four years of study, with the following core modules:

Year 1

• ANA 808: Anatomy 808 (Credits: 36.00)
• ANA 811: Anatomy 811 (Credits: 15.00)
• EHR 800: Ethics and human rights 800 (Credits: 0.00)
• FSG 811: Physiology 811 (Credits: 15.00)
• MFO 881: Maxillofacial and oral surgery I 881 (Credits: 90.00)
• TNM 802: Applied research methodology 802 (Credits: 0.00)

Year 2-4

• BVC 830: General surgery 830 (Credits: 60.00)
• MFO 860: Maxillo facial and oral surgery 860 (Credits: 25.00)
• MFO 882: Maxillofacial and oral surgery II 882 (Credits: 30.00)
• MFO 883: Maxillofacial and oral surgery III 883 (Credits: 100.00)
• MFO 884: Maxillofacial and oral surgery IV 884 (Credits: 90.00)
• MFO 890: Dissertation: Maxillofacial and oral surgery 890 (Credits: 125.00)

Additional Requirements

• Exemption may be granted by the Chair of School, on the recommendation of the relevant head of department, by virtue of comparable training and/or experience in terms of the requirements of School Regulations.
• A student must pass all the basic subjects before he or she may be admitted to the first year of study.
• Admission to the examination in the major subject is determined by the relevant head of department.

Examinations and Pass Requirements

• A minimum number of procedures must have been performed before a registrar is allowed to write the final examination.
• The student must submit and pass a dissertation on an approved topic related to the major subject and submit a manuscript for publication as required.
• A student who fails one or more of the basic subjects, subsidiary subjects or the major subject, the relevant head of department may recommend to the examination moderating meeting, that he or she be admitted to a supplementary examination.

Research Information

• The student must submit prior to sitting for the final examination (to the external examiner) and pass a dissertation on an approved topic related to the major subject and submit a manuscript for publication as required in obtaining the MChD.

Pass with Distinction

• A student who obtains a final mark of at least 75% (with the first attempt) in the major subject qualifies to obtain the degree with distinction.
• An MChD student, who has obtained an average of 75% in the whole programme with the first attempt in their major subject, and the dissertation, will receive the degree with distinction.