About this career
Dentists offer comprehensive services focused on diagnosing, preventing, and treating various dental issues and diseases affecting teeth and gums.
A dentist provides comprehensive dental care focused on diagnosing, preventing, and treating various oral health issues and diseases affecting teeth and gums.
Tasks performed by dentists include:
- Conducting diagnostic examinations of teeth and oral tissues to identify diseases, abnormalities, and injuries.
- Providing preventive care by educating patients on tooth decay control, dental problem causes and treatments, oral hygiene maintenance, and plaque removal.
- Performing corrective treatments such as taking x-rays, cleaning teeth, filling cavities, treating gum abscesses and infections, and extracting teeth.
- Undertaking surgical procedures including tooth removal and treatment of jaw fractures.
- Handling administrative duties such as bookkeeping, procurement of supplies, and managing a team of dental assistants, receptionists, technicians, and hygienists.
The future of work:
In the future, dentists will use advanced technology like AI, digital imaging, and robotic tools to provide more accurate and efficient treatments. Skills in diagnosis, surgical procedures, and patient care will remain essential. Knowledge of emerging materials, such as 3D-printed dental implants, will be important. Dentists will focus more on preventive care, and educating patients on oral health and hygiene. As the demand for cosmetic dentistry grows, they will offer more personalised treatments. Strong communication and teamwork skills will be crucial for working with dental hygienists, therapists, and technicians to deliver comprehensive care.
Prospective candidates undergo selection before admission to degree courses.
Degree: BDS or BChD - UP, UWC, UL, UKZN, Wits
Duration of the course: 5 years full-time study. Practical and clinical work is done in the dental hospital attached to the university.
Dentists must register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa after completion of the required training.
Further studies can be undertaken: honours, masters or doctors degree for specialisation in a specific branch of dentistry.
- private practice
- hospitals
- municipal clinics
- industries
- universities
- research institutions
- Life Science
- Mathematics
- Physical Science
Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA)
(553) of Hamilton and
Madiba Streets,
Arcadia, Pretoria
Tel: (012) 338-9300
www.hpcsa.co.za
South African Dental Association (SADA)
31 Princess of Wales Terrace
Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2193
South Africa
Tel: (011) 484-5288
Toll Free: 080 011 0725
www.sada.co.za
Department of Health
Civitas Building, Cnr Thabo Sehume and Struben Streets
Pretoria
Tel: (012) 395-8000
http://www.health.gov.za/
- gain experience working with people by joining clubs at schools, church
- try to obtain vacation work in a dental office or clinic or other work dealing with the public
- make an appointment to speak to a dentist about this type of career and ask permission to observe them at work
