Program Overview

Programme: PGDip in Dentistry Community Dentistry

The PGDip in Dentistry Community Dentistry is a postgraduate diploma programme offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria.

Programme Information

• Code: Faculty of Health Sciences
• Department: School of Dentistry
• Credits: 120
• Duration: Minimum duration of study: 1 year
• NQF level: 08

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the programme, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Relevant BChD (or equivalent) degree
2. HPCSA registration where treatment of patients is involved

Other Programme-Specific Information

• Contact time: The contact time in the major field of study is determined by the relevant head of department and approved by the Dean. It includes systematic tuition as well as clinical/practical assignments.

Examinations and Pass Requirements

• The examination in the basic subject and the main field of study may take place every semester.
• Examinations in both the basic subject as well as the main field of study may be written in the same semester.
• In order to be admitted to the examination in the main field of study, the student must have passed the basic subject.
• A final mark of at least 50% is required to pass.
• Subject to exceptions approved by the Dean, on the recommendation of the relevant head of department, a student may not enter for the postgraduate diploma's examination in the same subject more than twice.

Pass with Distinction

The diploma is awarded with distinction to students who obtain at least 75% in both the main field of study and the basic subject.

Minimum Credits

• Minimum credits: 120

Core Modules

• GTH 703: Community dentistry 703 (Credits: 100.00)

Elective Modules

• ANA 710: Anatomy 710 (Credits: 20.00)
• CBA 700: Anatomy and principles of surgery 700 (Credits: 20.00)
• FSG 714: Physiology 714 (Credits: 20.00)
• HME 774: Primary epidemiology 774 (Credits: 10.00)
• MDB 700: Applied oral biology 700 (Credits: 20.00)
• RAD 702: Introductory radiography 702 (Credits: 20.00)
• RLE 700: Ethics and jurisprudence 700 (Credits: 30.00)
• THM 702: Dental materials 702 (Credits: 20.00)

RLE 700: Ethics and Jurisprudence

Module content: To be a good healthcare practitioner requires a life-long commitment to sound professional and ethical practices and an overriding dedication to the interests of fellow human beings and society. The term "profession" means "a dedication, promise or commitment publicly made". Practice as a healthcare professional is based on a relationship of mutual trust between patients and healthcare practitioners. In the course of their professional work healthcare practitioners are required to subscribe to certain rules of conduct. To this end the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA) has formulated a set of rules regarding professional conduct against which complaints of professional misconduct will be evaluated. These rules are presented in the basic subject, Ethics and jurisprudence.