Welcome to ORAL HYGIENE

The Department of Oral Hygiene is primarily responsible for the development and delivery of the Degree in Oral Health (BOH) and in addition makes contribution to the BDS and Postgraduate programs.

The Bachelor of Oral Health Program

The Bachelor of Oral Health program at UWC Dentistry is an intensive three-year programme that aims to produce graduates competent to promote the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities in private practice and public health settings. Students are provided with exceptional clinical and academic opportunities enabling them to provide personalized patient care and engage in community-based service learning.  Oral Hygiene as a discipline is underpinned by subject areas such as clinical practice, oral diseases and prevention, health and oral health promotion, social and behavioural sciences, practice management and applied research. As integral members of the healthcare team, Oral Hygienists work collaboratively with dental professionals to address patients' oral health needs, thereby enhancing their quality of life.

Graduates

Upon graduation, the Oral Hygienist registers as a healthcare professional with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and is conferred the right and privilege to practise as a professional with a moral and ethical duty to society. Oral Hygienists have a key role as providers of individual preventive oral health care, but also play an important role in public health and social responsibility programs to improve oral health of communities and individuals. The scope of profession includes roles such as: primary health care professional, oral health promoter, clinician, practice manager and researcher. The Oral Hygienist can practise as an independent practitioner or be employed in public health services, general and specialist dental practices, research-based institutions, academic institutions, hospitals, the military and as dental representatives for dental companies. 

Community-based practice

The Bachelor of Oral Health program is designed to integrate community-based learning opportunities that enhance the educational experience. Students are provided with interdisciplinary, hands-on experience while addressing the oral health needs of diverse communities. Targeted community projects are geared towards fostering a sense of social responsibility and awareness of public health issues - attributes that prepares graduates of UWC with skills to collaborate, advocate and address systemic issues to create a more equitable, effective, and compassionate healthcare system that significantly reduces oral health disparities.

Research

The Department of Oral Health is recognized for its research output across a variety of disciplines, contributing significantly to new knowledge and practical advancements in oral health. Faculty members and Bachelor of Oral Health students actively engage in interdisciplinary and collaborative research to address complex health challenges and innovation within the field. The Department has a research agenda with a focus on clinical practice, public oral health, community engagement, professional practice of the Oral Hygienist and learning-and-teaching.

International collaboration

The Department of Oral Hygiene aims to collaborate Nationally and Internationally exposing staff and students to a rich educational experience that fosters a global perspective, improves oral health research and oral healthcare standards, and contributes significantly to the reduction of oral health disparities locally and worldwide.