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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Dentistry in Orthodontics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
9319  Master of Dentistry in Orthodontics 
ORIGINATOR
University of Witwatersrand 
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  360  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 0733/25  2024-06-30  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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 
Purpose:
The purpose of the Master of Dentistry in Orthodontics is to educate and train orthodontic registrars to become highly proficient Orthodontists who serve their patients and society with the utmost professionalism, reflecting positively on their training institution, themselves and the orthodontic profession.

Qualifying learners are equipped with expertise in research, which includes the ability to evaluate and implement research findings in the practice of the branch of specialisation and the ability to guide junior candidates if the graduate is in an educational setting.

Hence, graduates have competence in the practice of a specialist field and can contribute to the need for specialist practice and research skills in the health sciences in South Africa.

Rationale:
Orthodontic specialists are needed to provide specialist services and address the high prevalence of malocclusion in South Africa.

The qualification equips specialising dentists with skills to manage the full range of dentofacial discrepancies- most common being cleft lip and palate; an array of malocclusions - dental and skeletal and interdisciplinary cases like ortho-Perio, ortho-prostho, orthognathic cases. They are also equipped with the skills for practice management and to deal with the psychological aspects of orthodontic treatment.

The qualification will produce graduates with specialist training in the branch of Orthodontics who will be able to be registered as specialists with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and may proceed to further their Doctoral studies. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning:
There are no other options for entry into the qualification as it leads to specialist clinical practice as a Medical Practitioner registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Dental Science, NQF Level 8.
    or
  • Bachelor of Dental Surgery or equivalent, NQF Level 8.
    And
  • Minimum of two years registered as a dentist by the Health Professions Council of South Africa. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 481 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 481 Credits:
  • Applied Anatomy for Dentists, 15 credits
  • Physiology, 15 credits
  • Applied Pathology for Dentists, 15 credits
  • Research Techniques, 15 credits
  • Clinical Practice in Orthodontics I, 30 credits
  • Research Report I, 20 credits
  • Clinical Practice in Orthodontics II, 65 credits
  • Research Report II, 35 credits
  • Cranio-Facial Anomalies I, 15 credits
  • Oral Pathology, 5 credits
  • Clinical Practice in Orthodontics III, 60 credits
  • Research Report III, 40 credits
  • Cranio-Facial Anomalies II, 15 credits
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology, 6 credits.
  • Clinical Practice in Orthodontics IV, 45 credits
  • Research Report IV, 60 credits
  • Cranio-Facial Anomalies III, 15 credits
  • Practice Administration, 10 credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Show competence in clinical skills at the specialist level.
    2. Evaluate, teach, and implement research findings in the practice of the branch of specialisation.
    3. Apply ethical, compassionate, and skilled ability to conduct all aspects of specialist dental practice, both in relation to the care of individuals and of populations.
    4. Assess the principles and practice of dentistry from the basic to an advanced level and can train others in the specialty.
    5. Demonstrate self-direction and independence in his or her learning to become a lifelong learner, and will recognise personal education needs, utilise appropriate learning situations and evaluate her or his own progress/ 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1:
  • Use problem-solving techniques, which draw on her or his multi-faceted knowledge, in order to arrive at a diagnosis for a patient.
  • Communicate efficiently and effectively with the patient, other health care workers and the community, e.g. in order to obtain a history, to communicate a treatment regime and explain the dental condition.
  • Show sustained competence in psychomotor skills necessary for the practice of specialist skills in the branch studied.
  • Use instruments and equipment necessary for the practice of specialist skills in the branch studied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2:
  • Show research mastery through the production of a research report which demonstrates skills including the ability to evaluate research, review literature, design and perform a study, collect data, perform and interpret statistical analyses on data, interpret results and draw conclusions.
  • Conduct all research with due regard for the moral, legal and ethical accountability and requirements of the profession.
  • Practice Evidence-Based Dentistry by critically evaluating published literature in the field (e.g. on the topics of new techniques, therapies and drugs) and applies it in practice.
  • Guide junior learners who are studying or working in the same branch of specialisation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3:
  • Show respect for patients and colleagues that encompasses, without prejudice, diversity of background and opportunity, language, culture and way of life.
  • Refer patients to practitioners who are more appropriately qualified than he or she is to treat certain conditions.
  • Demonstrate an awareness, through actions or in writing, of the moral, legal and ethical responsibilities involved in individual patient care and the provision of care to populations.
  • Consider both the impact of health care on the environment as well as the impact of the environment on health.
  • Strive to improve patient care, to reduce inequalities in health care delivery, to optimise the use of health care resources in our society and uses his or her professional capabilities to contribute to community as well as to individual patient welfare by the practise of this branch of specialist dentistry.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4:
  • Teach, through clinical practice at the specialist level, the application of knowledge from the basic to an advanced level to other professionals.
  • Communicate this knowledge by teaching underqualified learners and supervising registrars and more junior colleagues in the speciality.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5:
  • Show respect for patients and colleagues without prejudice, with an understanding and appreciation of their diversities of background and opportunity, language and culture.
  • Acknowledge responsibility for continuing professional development (CPD) to keep up to date with new developments and to maintain accreditation and meet statutory CPD requirements.
  • Identify personal limitations and develop the capacity of self audit and participate in the peer review process, showing a willingness to seek help when necessary.

    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT:
    Integrated assessment is performed on a continuous basis through formative (evaluation of performance in clinical practice) and summative assessments. Further, the research report that the learner submits is used for the integrated assessment of research mastery.

    To promote, monitor and measure student learning throughout a course, no single assessment may count for more than 40% of the final mark unless there are special circumstances, in which case the permission of the Dean is required. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification is comparable to the following international qualifications:

    Country: United States of America
    Institution: University of Buffalo
    Qualification: M.S and Certificate in Orthodontics

    Similarities:
    Candidates require a Bachelor of Dental Surgery or equivalent qualification to enter the programme. The Modules offered are similar and similar clinical requirements are in place in that each candidate has to manage a minimum of 70 cases.

    Differences:
    The qualification is 36 months (3 years) compared to the four years duration of the Wits programme. Developmental and Educational Psychology which is part of the Wits programme is not included in the qualification. The assessment at the University of Buffalo has three parts. The first part is completed at the institution, the second through the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO). Students are also required to present six completed cases. MDent in Orthodontics, candidates are assessed by the institution and are required to present 10 completed clinical cases. Candidates at Wits have an option to take another exam with the College of Medicine South Africa (CMSA) where they also present 10 completed cases to qualify as a Fellow of the College.

    Country: United Kingdom
    Institution: Queen Mary University of London
    Qualification: DClinDent (Certificate of Completion of Speciality Training - CCST)

    Similarities:
    The qualification is also offered as a Full-time course of studyand integrates academic activities with clinical practice. Candidates undertake a research project under supervision. Modules covered are similar.

    Differences:
    In addition to a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) or equivalent qualification, candidates require two years full-time (or equivalent) post qualification clinical practice of dentistry, including six months full-time experience in oral & maxillo-facial surgery, paediatric dentistry or restorative dentistry.
    Candidates must also complete the pre-CCST training before being admitted into the specialist list for orthodontics.

    Duration - 3 years
    After 3 years they are illegible for the Royal College of Surgeons Membership examination (MOrth). 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Dentistry in a cognate field, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Science in Dentistry, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Dentistry, NQF Level 10.

    Diagonal Articulation:
    Diagonal articulation in this case refers diagonal articulation across NQF levels and sub-frameworks such as the OQSF. In this case, diagonal articulation is not possible as there is currently no NQF level 10 on the OQSF, although this may change in future. 
    		•

    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 Witwatersrand 


    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.