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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Master of Dentistry: Oral Pathology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
7097  Master of Dentistry: Oral Pathology 
ORIGINATOR
University of Pretoria 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  1344  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 06120/18  2018-07-01  2018-12-31 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2019-12-31   2022-12-31  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
109385  Master of Dental Surgery in Oral Pathology  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  180  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The purpose of this qualification is to obtain registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a specialist clinician in the field of Oral Pathology.

The qualification aims to provide South Africa with specialist clinicians in the field of Oral Pathology in order to provide and promote oral health care of the highest standard and the continual development of a high level of knowledge and expertise that is comparable with internationally set standards in the field.

Graduates will have comprehensive, in-depth knowledge, highly specialized technical skills and well-developed research skills in the field of Oral Pathology. An attitude of lifelong learning will be fostered, ensuring continuing self-development and development of the field.

Society will gain specialist clinicians in the field of Oral Pathology leading to higher efficacy of patient care, contributing also to the prevention of disease and promotive health in the community. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Matriculation certificate
First degree
Other:
B Ch D degree or equivalent.
Compliance with all regulations as specified by the HPCSA for registration as a registrar with the HPSCA.
Candidates are appointed based on the availability of designated and HPSCA accredited posts and on merit 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
M Ch D (Oral Pathology)
1. Obtain and assimilate scientific knowledge and associated practical experience appropriate to the discipline, to be applied critically in patient assessment in a community setting.
2. Obtain professional and technical skills required to competently diagnose oral and maxillo-facial diseases.
3. Maintain continued competence and show a continuous interest in new developments in the specialist field as a lifelong learner.
4. Act professionally and ethically.
5. Undertake and complete a relevant research study.

Critical cross-field outcomes:
  • Confident and flexible identification and definition of complex problems in a highly specialised context and the application of appropriate knowledge and skills to their solution is demonstrated. In the process existing knowledge is expanded or redefined.
  • The specialist works effectively as a member of the multi-disciplinary health care team towards defined outcomes, and where appropriate assumes leadership, applies negotiation and conflict resolution skills and motivates others.
  • The specialist communicates effectively with the patient, the patient's family/ guardian, various members of the health care team and relevant members of the community.
  • Effective interaction within a learning or professional group takes place with competent engagement in debate, in a professional manner and context. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    One
    Demonstrate appropriate theoretical knowledge.
    Take appropriate clinical history.
    Perform appropriate clinical examination.
    Take appropriate tissue samples/specimens

    Two
    Perform/prescribe appropriate specialised investigations and interpret results.
    Compile an appropriate pathology report and advise on therapeutic aspects if indicated.

    Three
    Latest techniques and technology are assimilated into appropriate practice.
    Complies with requirements of Professional Board for Medicine and Dentistry for

    Four
    Takes responsibility within own limits of competence.
    Acts within accepted norms of the profession.

    Five
    An acceptable protocol is compiled.
    Results are reported according to scientific norms.

    Integrated assessment:
    Portfolios
    Simulations
    Work-place assessments
    Written examinations
    Oral examinations
    Other:
    Assessment is continuous and done on the following basis:

    Portfolio assessment:
    Seminars based on current research are presented.
    A basic research project is conducted.

    Formative assessment:
    The candidate works and studies under the constant and close supervision of consultants, who assess/monitor and comment on the candidate's performance, such comment being directed at the student and the supervisor.

    Summative assessment:
    The portfolio work that has been compiled is assessed by the assessor(s) and moderator(s).

    One or more written examinations are set at predetermined intervals and especially at or close to the conclusion of the prescribed study period. One or more oral and/or practical examinations may similarly be set. These written, oral and practical examinations are set to a high standard and are conducted in a manner which ensures comprehensive and thorough evaluation of the theoretical knowledge, acquired experience and clinico-pathological skills of the candidate. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Related qualifications:
    M Ch D (Other dental specialities)

    M Ch D (Other dental specialities) provides credits for the related qualification

    Other articulation possibilities, either generic or specific arrangements:
    Ph D 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    One or more internal assessors from the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Pretoria.
    One or more external assessors from other national tertiary educational institutions in the appropriate field of study
    Specialist private practitioner(s) 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Qualifications required:
    M Med (Anatomical Pathology) or recognised equivalent qualification
    M Ch D (Oral Pathology) or recognised equivalent qualification.

    Career experience required:
    Appropriate research/teaching/academic/clinical postgraduate experience

    Other criteria:
    Faculty member of an accredited Faculty of Dentistry.
    Able to register as a specialist Oral Pathologist with the HPCSA 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. University of Pretoria 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.