Dental Assisting, Dental Therapy and Oral Hygiene
Overview
Oral Hygienists, Dental Assistants and Dental Therapist professions are registered under our auspices:
Oral Hygienists
Oral Hygienists are health professionals devoted to the prevention of diseases and the promotion and improvement of the public’s health. They are preventive primary oral health care providers who provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services to the public. Their primary concern as health practitioners is the promotion of total health through the prevention of oral disease. The service Oral Hygienists provide, contributes to the health and well-being of society. The education and licensure of Oral Hygienists qualify them to serve the public.
Dental Therapists
Dental Therapists function as health practitioners in oral health care, independently and/or as a part of the multi-disciplinary healthcare team. Dental Therapists focus on the holistic care of patients, which ranges from prevention of oral disease and promotion of oral health to the alleviation of oral abnormalities, pain and disease and also function in the fields of preventive, promotive and rehabilitative health, on primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
Dental Assistants
Dental Assistants contribute to effective chairside assisting in dentistry with regards to infection control, practice management and the education of patients, the public and the community regarding basic oral health. Dental Assistants play a significant role in oral health environments such as private practices, public health and other facilities where oral health care and health promotion is provided to the public.
Board Members
The new Board has been inaugurated and the term of the new Board will terminate on 31 October 2025.
Background
In terms of Regulation 4 of the Regulations Relating to the Functions and Functioning of a Professional Board, the members present at the first meeting of the newly constituted Professional Board elected from among their number a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, who shall hold office during the term of office of the Professional Board, unless any one of them resigns or ceases to be a member before the expiry of his or her term of office.
The Chairperson shall ex officio be a member of the Executive Committee of a Professional Board and Chairperson of that Committee.
| Board Members | |
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| Chairperson | Dr T A Muslim |
| Vice-Chairperson | Dr P Brijlal |
| Board members |
Ms K Manda Mr L Naidoo Ms P Sodo Ms K Paulse Mr Madonsela Ms J Motshwane Ms T Mutibi Mr R Morewane Mr B Moloisane Dr J Smit |
Announcements
HPCSA Guidelines COVID-19 DOH Board |
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Pretoria – Globally we are currently facing extraordinary challenges in the wake of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which is the virus strain that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a respiratory illness. |
Notice:
“Student Dental Assistants registered with the Universities of Technology (UoT’s) who did not complete their studies would not be allowed to attempt the DA Board examinations.”
Unqualified yet Experienced Dental Assistants to Register |
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| Pretoria – In April 2005, the HPCSA opened the registration process to professionalise Dental Assistants. At the time, the regulations prescribed qualifications that would enable dental assistants to register. Those that did not register were thus not allowed to practise. The HPCSA as a statutory body is required to act in accordance with the establishing statute, namely the Health Professions Act No. 56 of 1974 which requires that Dental Assistants should register with the HPCSA if they are to practise >>>View Document |
Policy & Guidelines
| Guidelines | |
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| Form 346: Guidelines for accreditation of off-facilities for Dental Therapy, Oral Hygiene and Dental assisting student placements | View document |
Examinations
NB: The DOH Board examination has been postponed to March 2021
| Examination Date | Closing Date for Applications |
|---|---|
| March 2021 | 05 February 2020 |
Requirements
- A duly completed application form 324 together with proof of payment of the examination fee has to be submitted to the Board.
- The examination fee is R710,00 including vat.
- Application forms and proof of payment must be submitted by e-mail or fax to:
| Ramasela Ndlala | 012 338 9300 | ramaselan@hpcsa.co.za |
- Form 297: Requirements for registration Dental Assistants and Student Dental Assistants
| Previous Examination Papers | |
|---|---|
| August 2017 | |
Examination Guidelines:
Accreditation
The following Institutions offer education and training:
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Aligned to |
Name of Institution |
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Dental Therapy and Oral Hygiene professions |
· University of the Witwatersrand (Oral Hygiene) · University of the Western Cape (Oral Hygiene) · Sefako Mkgatho Health Sciences University (Oral Hygiene and Dental Therapy) · University of Pretoria (Oral Hygiene) · University of Kwazulu Natal (Oral Hygiene and Dental Therapy) Click here to access contacts of the above institutions relating to Dental Therapy and Oral Hygiene |
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Dental Assistants |
· Central University of Technology - Free State · Durban University of Technology · Tshwane University of Technology · Cape Peninsula University of Technology Click here to access contacts of the above institutions relating to Dental Assistants |
Rules & Regulations
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The rules and regulations of the Board include the following: |
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Requirements for Registration of Dental Assistants |
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Regulations defining the scope of profession of Dental Assistants |
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Regulations defining the scope of profession of Oral Hygienists |
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Proposed Regulations and Rules |
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Proposed regulations defining the scope of the profession of dental therapy – GN R802 / GG 33544 / 20100915 |
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Proposed amendment of regulations relating to the qualifications for registration of dental assistants – GN R1195 / 30580 / 20071214 |
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Proposed amendment of regulations relating to the qualifications for registration of dental assistants - GN R100 / 31859 / 20090206 |
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Proposed rules relating to the registration by oral hygienists of additional qualifications - BN 156 / GG 33710 / 20101105 |
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Draft regulations defining the scope of the profession of oral hygiene - GN R 212 / GG 34101 / 20110311 |
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Proposed regulations relating to the qualifications for registration of oral hygienists - GN R266 / GG 35200 / 20120330 |
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Regulations |
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Regulations defining the scope of the profession dental assistants |
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| Regulations defining the scope of the profession dental therapy | |
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Regulations relating to the scope of practice of the profession oral hygiene |
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Regulations relating to the registration of students in dental therapy – GN R400/85 |
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Regulations relating to the registration of students in oral hygiene – GN R1038/88 |
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Regulations relating to the registration by dental therapists of additional qualifications – GN R872/91 |
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Regulations relating to the registration by oral hygienists of additional qualifications – GN R1319/93 |
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Regulations defining the scope of the profession of dental therapy – GG 40414 /2016 |
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Regulations defining the scope of the profession of oral hygiene– GN R1150/2000 |
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Regulations relating to the constitution of the professional board for dental therapy and oral hygiene – GN R1255/2008 |
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Regulations relating to the qualifications for registration of dental assistants: Amendment – GN R850/2016 |
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Regulations relating to the registration of student dental assistants – GN R581/2008 |
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Regulations defining the scope of the profession of dental assistants - GN R396/2012 |
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Regulations defining the scope of the profession of dental therapists - GN R512/2016 |
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Regulations Relating to the Qualifications for Registration of Dental Assistants: Amended GN R40772/2017 |
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Regulations defining the scope of Oral Hygiene -GG 40996/2017 |
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Rules |
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Rules for the registration of oral hygienists – BN 991/81 |
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Rules for the registration of dental therapists – BN 80/90 |
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Rules relating to the registration by dental therapists and oral hygienists of additional qualifications – BN 58/2008 |
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Rules relating to the registration by oral hygienists of additional qualifications – BN 63/2011 |
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