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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Oral Health 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
7705  Bachelor of Oral Health 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Western Cape 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National First Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  400  Level 6  NQF Level 07  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2033-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The oral hygienist will be trained as a public health professional, health promoter, clinician and researcher to contribute to the promotion of oral health at an individual and population level.

In addition, this qualification will equip the hygienist as a multiskilled professional as 25% of the course credits can be selected in the faculties of Education, Health Sciences, Arts and Economics and Management. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.
    Or
  • National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate studies. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate communication, reading, academic writing, listening, problem-solving and basic computer literacy skills.
    2. Make decisions based on a review of available evidence.
    3.Understand and apply the principles of health promotion.
    4. Understand that oral health is an integral component of the general, social and economic health of society.
    5. Demonstrate a positive, consistent, informed behaviour towards the promotion and maintenance of oral health and prevention of illness at individual and population levels.
    6. Demonstrate sound educational and communication skills in providing appropriate education to individuals and groups in a variety of settings.
    7. Measure and record basic oral health levels in individuals and groups.
    8. Design, implement, evaluate and manage oral health programmes within communities.
    9. Integrate their knowledge and skills to function within a multi-disciplinary primary health care team.
    10. Recognise and be able to manage certain oral diseases.
    11. Demonstrate a practical understanding of epidemiology, biostatistics and research.
    12. Do a research project, including a research protocol, research process and a report.
    13. Provide basic oral health care and specialised care within the scope of the hygienist.
    14. Perform clinical procedures according to the scope of a hygienist as defined by the HPCSA.
    15. Be equipped to perform clinical procedures within a specialist practice e.g. orthodontics, periodontics, maxillo-facial surgery or prosthodontics.
    16. Apply preventive procedures including dietary counselling to a range of patients including the medically compromised and disabled.
    17. Be able to assist in general and specialist practices.
    18. Make ethically informed decisions within their scope of practice. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following associated assessment criteria apply across all Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Demonstrate effective communication skills through reading, academic writing, listening, problem solving and basic computer literacy skills.
  • Decisions are made based on a review of available evidence.
  • The principles of health promotion are understood and applied.
  • Knowledge and understanding is demonstrated to reflect the inter-relationship between oral health the general, social and economic health of society.
  • Oral health and prevention of illness at individual and population levels are positively and consistently promoted and maintained through informed behaviour.
  • Sound educational and communication skills are demonstrated in providing appropriate education to individuals and groups in a variety of settings.
  • Basic oral health levels are measured and recorded in individuals and groups.
  • Oral health programmes are designed, implemented, evaluated and managed within communities.
  • Knowledge and skills to function within a multi-disciplinary primary health care team is demonstrated in an integrated way.
  • Certain oral diseases are recognised and managed.
  • Practical understanding of epidemiology, biostatistics and research are demonstrated practically.
  • A research project is completed which includes a research protocol, research process and a report.
  • Basic oral health care and specialised care are provided within the scope of the hygienist.
  • Clinical procedures are performed in accordance with the scope of a hygienist as defined by the HPCSA.
  • Ability is demonstrated to perform clinical procedures within a specialist practice e.g. orthodontics, periodontics, maxillo-facial surgery or prosthodontics.
  • Preventive procedures including dietary counselling are applied to a range of patients including the medically compromised and disabled.
  • The ability to assist in general and specialist practices are demonstrated.
  • Ethically informed decisions are made within scope of practice.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved:

    The assessment is integrated. It is expected of the candidate to examine and assess the oral health status of a wide spectrum of patients; to develop a comprehensive treatment plan; to implement the treatment plan and to be able to evaluate the outcome of the treatment.

    A variety of assessment procedures will be used. These include the following:
  • Formal end of course assessment (summative).
  • Continuing formal assessment (formative and summative).
  • Continuing informal assessment (formative).

    Assessment will be designed to monitor the learner's level of theoretical knowledge and critical thinking and the learner's practical skills and clinical reasoning. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Oral Health Sciences, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Oral Hygiene, NQF Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Dental Science in Oral Surgery, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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. University of the Western Cape 


    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.