Dear Students,

The warmest of welcome comes your way from the Dean's office and from the Faculty of Dentistry. You have been afforded the opportunity to study at one of the most progressive universities in South Africa, which is located in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. We are also Africa's largest dental school and from the more than 12 000 applicants received, you have been selected to train either as dentists or hygienists. You represent the privileged few in this country who will have the benefit of a university education and you enter a noble profession where status, financial success, respect, social standing and opportunity can almost be guaranteed if you play by the rules. To those of you who are first generation students, i.e., you are the first in your family to enrol at university, there is an added responsibility to ensure that you succeed because the evidence has shown that if you do, then those that come after you will most likely follow the same path. This means that there is a great opportunity to ensure a whole range of benefits for you and your family.

At UWC, we are people and student centred. Your wellness and well-being is very important to us and UWC has many support structures in place that will be accessible to you all. Dear Students, the oral hygiene and dentistry programmes are not easy, you will have to work hard and sacrifice attendance to events and functions so that you meet your academic obligations, BUT also make time to enjoy student life and keep yourself healthy. These will be the best years of your life and again, I want to welcome you all to UWC and I hope that you enjoy the experience and also benefit from a world class programme offered at the Faculty of Dentistry!

Warm regards,

Prof Yengopal
Dean, Faculty of Dentistry