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Postgraduate Teaching

Postgraduate courses in Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery

The advanced MFOS registrar-training program at the University of the Witwatersrand has a long and rich history, which dates back to 1947. It may in fact be one of the oldest training programs in South Africa. We are fortunate to have had many past Heads of Department who had the vision and energy to advance the specialty of MFOS to the point that exists today. This postgraduate training program includes rotations in General Surgery, Intensive Care Unit, Trauma, Plastic Surgery and Oral Pathology.

To date, the following postgraduate programs are offered in the Department of MFOS at Wits: 

  • MSc(Dent) The Master of Science in Dentistry in clinical discipline of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery is a 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time degree
  • MDent - The Master of Dentistry in the speciality of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery is a 4 year full-time degree. Upon completion of this postgraduate program (which includes rotation in General Surgery, Intensive Care Unit, Trauma, Plastic Surgery and Oral Pathology) the candidate will be allowed to register as a specialist Maxillofacial and Oral Surgeon.
  • PhD 

Maxillofacial and Oral Surgeons are trained to perform the following treatments and procedures: 

  • Reconstructive surgery to address hard and soft tissue injuries in the upper and / or lower jaws resulting from injury or trauma, tumour surgery or long – term denture wear.
  • Dental implant placement to replace a single tooth, several teeth or an entire mouthful of teeth. Dental implants offer a long – lasting, comfortable and functional alternative to conventional dentures.
  • Diagnosis and treatment of infections in the maxillofacial region, which can develop into life – threatening emergencies if not treated promptly and effectively.
  • Treatment and repair of injuries to the face, jaws, mouth and teeth caused by trauma, including fractures of the upper and lower jaws and orbits, and the cosmetic management of facial lacerations.
  • Surgical correction of oral and facial deformities caused by differences in skeletal growth between the upper and lower jaws and congenital deformities like cleft lip and palate, which occur when all or a portion of the oral – nasal cavity does not grow together during foetal development. Maxillofacial and Oral Surgeons’ surgical and dental background and their ability to reconstruct facial structures damaged through trauma, enable them to perform facial cosmetic procedures as well.
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