Universities and Online Degrees Guide

University of the Witwatersrand

Bachelor of Dental Science

The Bachelor of Dental Science in Dental and Orthodontics is offered by University of the Witwatersrand.

Program Length: 5 YEARS.

Subjects: 72.

Bachelor of Dental Science offered by the University of the Witwatersrand

The BDS degree focuses on developing skill and expertise in diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases of the teeth, mouth tissue and supporting bones of the mouth.

Modern dentistry has moved beyond the scope of the ‘drilling and filling’ of the past. Today, dentists manage diseases and abnormalities of the face, jaws, joints, and soft tissue lining of the mouth.

They offer comprehensive care for the entire oral and facial system.

The Bachelor of Dental Science (BDS) is a five-year, full-time course. Years 1 to 3 focus on bioethics, health law, and dental sciences. Years 4 and 5 focus on understanding the medical, dental, social, and community context of dental clinical practice.

You will be required to complete one year of community service after graduating. If you are registering for the BDS for the first time, you must register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HCPSA).

Curriculum

First year

• Bioethics, Health Law and
• Human Rights I
• Oral Microbiology I
• Prosthodontics I
• Public Oral Health I
• Dental Materials for Dental Students I
• Operative Dentistry I
• Anatomy for Dental Students
• Physiology and Medical Biochemistry I

Second year

• Integrated Learning I
• Prosthodontics II
• Public Oral Health II
• Bioethics, Health Law and
• Human Rights II
• Dental Materials for Dental Students II
• Dental Practice Management I
• Maxillo-Facial and Oral Radiology I
• Endodontics I
• Operative Dentistry II
• Pathology (Anatomical and Haematological)
• Oral Biology for Dental Students
• Medical Microbiology
• Oral Microbiology II

Third year

• Pharmacology
• Maxillo-Facial and Oral Radiology II
• Emergency Medicine
• Public Oral Health III
• Prosthodontics III
• Introduction to Maxillo-Facial and Oral
• Surgery
• Introduction to Periodontology
• Integrated Learning II
• Dental Materials for Dental Students III
• Dental Practice Management II
• Operative Dentistry III
• Endodontics II
• Paediatric Dentistry I
• Dento-Facial Growth and Development
• Essentials in Orthodontic Techniques
• and Diagnosis
• Oral Pathology

Fourth year

• General Medicine and Paediatrics for
• Dental Students
• General Surgery
• Integrated Learning III
• Prosthodontics IV
• Periodontology I
• Maxillo-Facial and Oral Radiology III
• Maxillo-Facial and Oral Surgery II
• Public Oral Health IV
• Bioethics, Health Law and
• Human Rights III
• Oral Medicine I
• Dental Practice Management III
• Dental Materials for Dental Students IV
• Comprehensive Patient Care
• Operative Dentistry IV
• Endodontics III
• Paediatric Dentistry II
• Clinical Orthodontics I

Fifth year

• Anaesthetics
• Integrated Learning IV
• Prosthodontics V
• Periodontology II
• Maxillo-Facial and Oral Surgery III
• Public Oral Health V
• Oral Medicine II
• Advanced Comprehensive Patient Care
• Operative Dentistry V
• Endodontics IV
• Paediatric Dentistry III
• Clinical Orthodontics II