Editor LauraWhen choosing a career in dentistry, it’s important to know the requirements. This article will teach you everything you need to know in order to become a dentist in South Africa.
Dentist Requirements In South Africa
A dentist in South Africa must be registered with the Dental Board of South Africa, with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and with the Medical and Dental Council of South Africa.
To become a dentist in South Africa, you must:
- be a citizen of South Africa
- be a registered medical practitioner
- be a registered dentist
- have a degree in dentistry or its equivalent qualification accepted by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and have completed two years of postgraduate training under supervision at an institution approved by the HPCSA
So You Want To Become A Dentist In South Africa?
Being a dentist is no easy feat. It takes years of study and practice to become an expert in the field; however, if you think you have what it takes, here’s what you need to know:
What Are The Steps To Becoming A Dentist In South Africa?
To become a dentist in South Africa, you must meet the following requirements:
- Completed at least five academic years (eight semesters) of study at a recognized university.
- Must have completed your clinical training in dentistry at an approved institution with registration with HPCSA as a practitioner.
- Have passed all three parts of the National Dental Examination Board (NDEB) examination within 12 months of each other and obtained an overall pass mark of 75%.
Choose Your Stance
You can choose to become a general dentist, or you could specialize in one area of dentistry. If you want to be a dentist, it is possible for you to also become a doctor. The main difference between the two professions is that dentists perform more routine procedures than doctors do, like fillings and extractions, while doctors do more advanced procedures like surgery or root canal therapy.
Make Your Choice
Now that you know more about the requirements, it’s time to make your choice.
For a bachelor’s degree in dentistry, you can choose between:
- Bachelor of Science in Dental Surgery (BDS)
- Bachelor of Oral Health Sciences (BHSc)
If you’re interested in specializing later on, then you might want to consider enrolling for an MSc or PhD. But note that this will be more expensive and time-consuming; it may also affect your employment opportunities. If it makes sense for your career trajectory, however!
The only downside is that many universities charge extra fees for these degrees—but they do come with certain benefits as well. For example, they allow students access to specialized courses and research opportunities within their institution or beyond their country’s borders; they also give them better chances at getting accepted into postgraduate programs like medical school or residency training abroad later down the line due to increased specialization/expertise gained from completing additional study during undergraduate years compared with other types degrees available out there today – which means potential savings on future tuition costs and money spent during internship periods when applying for jobs after graduating high school rather than pursuing further education elsewhere.”
Go To College/University
Choosing the right college or university to attend is an important part of your education. Before you begin looking at schools, it’s important to determine which one will best suit your needs. Choosing a degree is also essential. Be sure to choose a specialization that aligns with your interests and career goals (e.g., medical school vs law school).
While researching colleges, universities, and dental schools in South Africa it helps if they have a good reputation among their peers as well as employers and industry professionals who may hire you when you graduate.
Continue Your Studies
After you graduate from a dental school, you will want to continue your studies. There are several options available for this and it is important that you choose the one that is right for you.
You can choose to:
- Intern – If you would like to become a dentist but don’t want to do an internship or residency, then this option may be for you. The length of time varies from country to country and depends on the type of training program available in South Africa.
- Residency – This option is best suited for those who already have experience as dentists at some point during their career. It’s also recommended if there isn’t any official dental education in your home country or region because it provides additional skills needed when dealing with certain types of patients/diseases/etc., which means better chances at getting hired once they complete their residency training program(s). * Postgraduate Studies – These programs are typically shorter than internships or residencies but longer than continuing education courses offered by various universities around South Africa (such as UNISA), so they provide participants with ample opportunity both inside classroom settings as well as through hands-on experience working under supervision within dental clinics across town/countrywide areas where such programs take place every semester throughout each year!
Get Registered And Practising
The South African Dental Council (SADC) is the regulatory body for dentists in South Africa. If you have completed your training and other requirements, you can apply for registration with SADC.
Once registered, you will be issued with a provisional registration certificate which allows you to practise as a dentist while completing further conditions set by the Council.
Closing
In conclusion, becoming a dentist is not an easy task but it is possible with the right amount of dedication and hard work. If you are interested in dentistry then we suggest that you start by visiting www.dentaluniversity.co.za where they can help answer any questions that may be on your mind or give advice on how best proceed with your studies so as not waste time and money