University Of The Witwatersrand Dental School - Education in South Africa
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University Of The Witwatersrand Dental School

University Of The Witwatersrand Dental School, The Bachelor of Dental Science (BDS) is offered over 5 years and is a full time course.

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During years one to three, there will be a strong focus on bioethics, health law and dental sciences.In years four and five, the focus is on understanding the medical, dental, social and community context of dental clinical practice. You will be required to work 1 year community service after completing your 5 year study. Students registering for the first time for the BDS, must register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

Dentistry is a career for those with sharp and enquiring minds, who gain satisfaction in combining hand skills with mental challenge, who enjoy contact with people and who value the opportunity to place their knowledge and skill at the service of others.

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Most people would describe the work of a dentist as ‘looking after teeth’, but modern dentistry has moved far beyond the scope of the ‘drilling and filling’ of the past. Management of diseases and abnormalities of the face, the jaws, the joints of the jaws and the soft tissue lining of the mouth has extended the field into a comprehensive system of care for the whole oral and facial system. Dentists are virtually ‘physicians of the head and neck.’

Career Opportunities

Entry Requirements

Health Sciences – View the  Wits University Revised Health Sciences Admissions Policy

Programme Minimum Admission Requirements  Selection procedures
APS Subjects & achieved scale
Bachelor of Health Sciences BHSc
(3 years)
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Biokinetics
  • Health Systems Sciences
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
MBBCh (6 years)Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy
BSc (Physiotherapy)
(4 years)
Bachelor of Pharmacy(BPharm)
(4 years)
The Faculty of Health Sciences does not calculate an APS score. Academic performance and National Benchmark Test (NBT) scores are used for consideration.

There are two points of entry into the MBBCh degree:

  • 1st year MBBCh for applicants currently completing Matric
  • 3rd year MBBCh (i.e. the Graduate Entry Medical Programme (GEMP) for applicants who have completed a prerequisite degree. Click here for more info.
English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5
Mathematics – 5
Life Sciences and/or
Physical Science – 5
If you are applying to the Faculty of Health Sciences, you will not be selected solely on your school leaving results, although they are very important. A composite index is calculated, taking into consideration
(1) your academic results for FIVE subjects and (2) National Benchmark Test (NBT) scores.
Only five subjects are used to derive a matriculation score, which is calculated according to the percentages obtained, NOT symbols. These are English Language, Mathematics, Physical Science/ Life Sciences and the best two other subjects. (Dentistry requires Physical Science and Life Sciences and the best other subject).
  • ALL applicants (excluding applicants who are applying to the Graduate Entry Medical Programme – GEMP only) are required to write the National Benchmark Test (NBT).
  • GEMP applicants may be invited to the Wits Additional Placement Test (WAPT) and all applicants are advised to prepare in the event that they are invited. For more information on the WAPT please refer to: www.wits.ac.za/health/gemp
  • ALL GEMP applicants who are invited to the WAPT will be expected to complete a Biographical Questionnaire on the day of the test.
  • ALL applicants to BSc (Occupational Therapy) and/or BSc (Physiotherapy) must spend time (16 hrs) observing and/or assisting an Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist and complete a certificate of attendance. Only observation hours completed between 1 July 2017 and 31 July 2018 will be accepted as valid.
Bachelor of Dental Science 
BDS (5 years)
English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5
Mathematics – 5
Life Sciences and 
Physical Science – 5
Bachelor of NursingBNurs
(4 years)Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy– BSc (OT) (4 years)
English HL or 1st Add Lang – 4
Mathematics – 4
Life Sciences and/or
Physical Science – 4
Bachelor of Clinical Medical Practice (BCMP) (3 years)
Bachelor of Oral Health Sciences(BOHS) (3 years)
English HL or 1st Add Lang – 4
Mathematics – 4 or
Mathematical Literacy – 7
Life Sciences and/or
Physical Science – 4

 

Application Process

Your application

  • You may apply for three programmes (degrees).
  • Applications to Wits must enclose a non-refundable application fee of R100 (for international applicants, R700).

Documentation / Checklist

  • Submit your Grade 11 report which must be signed and stamped by your school principal.
  • If you have already matriculated, attach a copy of your matric certificate.

Submit your application, required documentation and application fee before the closing date.

Apply now

Closing Dates30 June 
Faculty of Health Sciences (All programmes)
Bachelor of Architecture
Bachelor of Audiology
Bachelor of Speech-Language Pathology 
30 September 
All other University programmes
Residence applications
Online applications
  • Complete an online application to study at Wits

Apply now

Course Costs

The average course costs for local students range from R34 000 to R62 000, depending on the course and the number of years of study.
Tuition fees are payable for each course for which a student is registered.

 

Programme overview

Coursework and research report
In the fields of:

  • Aesthetic Dentistry
  • Community Dentistry
  • Cranio-Mandibular Dysfunction
  • Implantology
  • Endodontics
  • Prosthodontics
  • Maxillo-Facial Radiology
  • Oral Pathology
  • Oral Medicine
  • Maxillo-Facial Oral Surgery
  • Orthodontics
  • Digital Operative Dentistry
  • Paedodontics

Pure research
In the fields of:

  • Aesthetic Dentistry
  • Community Dentistry
  • Cranio-Mandibular Dysfunction
  • Implantology
  • Endodontics
  • Prosthodontics
  • Maxillo-Facial Radiology
  • Oral Pathology
  • Oral Medicine
  • Maxillo-Facial Oral Surgery
  • Orthodontics
  • Paedodontics

Entry Requirements

Honours:

  • A bachelors degree and the applicant has passed the relevant major course.

Masters:

  • A bachelors degree of at least four years duration from Wits or another university or a bachelors degree followed by an honours degree. Working experience or other valid experience may be required. Admission to clinical degrees not included.

Doctorate:

  • A masters degree from Wits or another university.
  • A graduate of this or another university who holds a degree in another faculty whose curriculum has ordinarily extended over not less than four academic years of full-time study.
  • A supervisor from the Faculty must be identified and approached prior to application.

Additional Entry RequirementsRequired.

Application Process

  • Please note that the Entry Requirements are a guide. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.
  • Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre. Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment. Click here to see an overview of the Wits applications process.
  • Please apply onlineUpload your supporting documents at the time of application, or via the Self Service Portal.
  • Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal, view academic application status, accept or decline an offer, apply and check residence application status, and generate a fees estimate.
  • Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle.

For more information, contact the Student Call Centre +27 (0)11 717 1888, or log a query at www.wits.ac.za/askwits.

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