SAQA

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.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Master of Dentistry

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
7679	Master of Dentistry
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch University
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		Preventive Health
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	360	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 091/21	2021-07-01	2023-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30		2027-06-30

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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

To attain a level of practical expertise in a recognized specialty in Dentistry in order to be competent to render a specialized service to the community and to qualify for registration as a specialist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

To ensure mastery in all aspects of the chosen speciality by way of ful- time training by registered Specialists

To contribute to the pool of academics and professionals with the competence and critical intellectual abilities to ensure the maintenance of a very high standard of oral heath care

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Senior Certificate with Matriculation Exmption or equivalent university admission qualification.

First degree: Bachelor of Dentistry (BChD)

Additional requirements

BChD degree or another qualification deemed by the university to be adequate for this purpose.

Registration as a dentist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

The Master of Dentistry graduate will have:

1. Familiarity with the literature and state of research on the subject and comprehensive knowledge of the chosen field of study.

2. Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of the relevant basic subjects in Dentistry

3. The competence to accurately diagnose and formulate a clinical treatment plan for a complicated case where applicable

4. The ability to efficiently handle all clinical problems presented to him/her where relevant in the speciality concerned

5. The ability to communicate effectively with patients and the community in general

6. The ability to work effectively with other professionals as a member of a team

The Master of Dentistry graduate will be able to:

1. Critically evaluate literature relevant to the chosen speciality

2. Identify and define complex problems

3. Interact and engage in debate with professional groups

4. Independently apply theoretical and clinical (where relevant) knowledge and skills to the solution of problems encountered in the chosen field on a specialist level

Specific Outcomes:

The Master's graduate will demonstrate:

1. Mastery of theoretical sophisticated subject matter related to the chosen field of specialisation

2. Mastery of advanced theory and its application in a specialist field

3. Capacity for independent research/study via the completion of a thesis

4. The ability to perform diagnostic work, clinical work (where applicable) or field work (in the case of the speciality community dentistry) at specialist level.

5. The ability to interact successfully on a professional level with the community, patients, peers and the general health team

6. Awareness of the legal and social responsibilities of the work in the specialist field

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1. Preparation of clinical case reports (where applicable) demonstrating the ability to find and use relevant scientific knowledge in a problem solving context

2. Successfully demonstrate the ability to complete a patient treatment plan at an advanced level in consultation with the patient and other members of the health tem

3. Independently manage diverse comprehensive clinical cases as appropriate at specialist level

1. Regular assessment of assignments based on case reports and literature reviews

2. Written and oral examinations in the prescribed basic subjects and in the main subject with external examiners of national and international repute in attendance

3. Evaluation of diagnostic and clinical skills (where appropriate) and community projects in the case of the speciality Community Dentistry

1. Preparation of an approved major research project in which the results are, in the opinion of the examiners, suitable for acceptance for publication in a refereed scientific journal

2. Formal written and oral examinations based on theoretical knowledge and clinical (where appropriate) and organisation skills (Community Dentistry) at specialist level

3. Formal clinical examination

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

Candidates are required to demonstrate the ability to handle clinical (where appropriate) and organisational situations (Community Dentistry) at a specialist level employing all aspects of basic theoretical and practical knowledge contained in the course leading to the qualification. Candidates' ability to do independent research will be evaluated in a research article that is suitable for publication in an accredited, scientific journal

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Other articulation possibilities, either generic or specific

PhD

MODERATION OPTIONS

The university of Stellenbosch has a system of external peer review and evaluation of departments. One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of the department.

Additional information

Obligatory external examination for all examinations and regular inspection by the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

The academic staff of the university of Stellenbosch will be used in a manner which fits into the quality assurance system of the university.

Additional information

Obligatory presence of external examiners who are nationally/internationally recognised as experts in the particular field of specialisation.

Periodic evaluation of courses by inspectors appointed by the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

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

NOTES

N/A

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

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.	Stellenbosch University