Start main page content
Wits University Adler Museum of Medicine

Programme overview

The Bachelor of Oral Health Sciences (BOHSc) is offered over 3 years and is a full-time degree. The programme provides a holistic approach to dentistry, primary dental care and give students the skills they need to register as a dental therapist or dental hygienist.

The programme aims to address and improve the oral health needs of patients and communities by training oral hygiene professionals who will be able to deliver appropriate services in a wide range of settings - ranging from schools, private practice, academia, research, community health centres, sales and marketing, military health etc.

Areas of study in your first year of study include Anatomy, Oral Biology and Physiology for Dental Auxillaries. Fundamentals of Clinical Oral Health are expanded in your second and third years.

This degree is geared towards those individuals who not only want to undertake clinical dentistry, but who may also wish to enter an academic environment and become for example, teachers or researchers in their field.

The Oral Hygienist may be employed in the government sector, universities, private surgeries, private companies, research institutions and will be able to pursue postgraduate studies on completion of the programme.

Back to top

Career Opportunities

  • Oral Hygienist
  • Health Promoter
  • Clinician
  • Change agent
  • Practice manager
  • Researcher
  • Academic

 

Back to top

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 Nursing BNurs 
(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

 

Back to top

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.

Back to top

Apply now

Closing Dates

30 June 2018
Faculty of Health Sciences (All programmes)
Bachelor of Architecture
Bachelor of Audiology
Bachelor of Speech-Language Pathology

30 September 2018
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. 

Back to top

Related courses

Back to top