The Postgraduate Diploma in Dental Practice Management is being offered by the Department of Dental Management Sciences at the School of Dentistry, University of Pretoria.
Purpose / Main Outcomes of the Diploma
Course outline
The course mainly requires independent self-study learning activities with minimal direct facilitation by the study leader. One compulsory contact session is scheduled for September in Pretoria. During this contact session, assignments will be presented by the candidate(s) to a panel accompanied by a group discussion.
Basic subject: Health Professions Ethics and Jurisprudence
Candidates will have to identify, source and study the laws, regulations and guidelines that govern the health professions and dentistry in particular. The application of these laws, regulations and guidelines will be assessed during an open-book written assessment (during September of the first study year) and must be applied in the assignments of the main subject. The test date is in September, during the contact session.
Main subject: Dental Practice Management
The main subject will be addressed by means of a short essay and three assignments by the candidate.
Each candidate must submit a short personal background essay (minimum of 500 words), which must clearly indicate the reasons for enrolling for the course. The essay will be assessed on the ability of the student to reflect, the challenges that needs to be addressed and how the course may have an impact on their personal development. (Due date: end of March).
Candidates have to complete an assignment on “Leadership” (Outcome 2) and have to select an additional five of the remaining nine outcomes. A total of three assignments, comprising two outcomes each, must be completed and submitted. Assignments must be based on sound scientific principles, which must be supported by valid literature references. It is suggested that current practice owners/managers select their topics in order to assist them in improving business practices in their practices (It is recommended that a SWOT analysis be conducted of their own business management practices with the aim of improvement). Prospective entrepreneurs are advised to select topics that would assist in the establishment of a new practice.
Assignment Instructions:
Plagiarism Policy
Kindly take note that the University of Pretoria has a very specific policy regarding plagiarism (see attached policy document). Copying and pasting from any source is strictly forbidden and the quoted literature must be referenced appropriately.
Due dates:
Please note: Internet access is a requirement and correspondence will only be via email.
Enquiries:
General Information:
Registration closing date for the course is end of January. For further enquiries regarding administration, please contact Ms Alta Strauss, student administration, at [email protected] or 012 354 1289.
Overview
The course Master of Science in Dental Practice Management [MScDent(Practice Management)] is designed to build graduates‘ knowledge and skills (other than clinical skills) and equip them with the necessary competencies in dental practice management in order to prepare them to improve the business management of an existing oral health practice (private/public) or to successfully establish a new oral health practice. The programme also enhances their existing knowledge of Ethics and Jurisprudence, Leadership, Strategic Management, Marketing, Financial Management, Information Systems, Personnel Management, Occupational Health and Safety, Patient Management, Administrative Management and Risk Management applicable to the oral health practice environment. Finally, it creates an opportunity for dentists to become effective leaders and managers, in a demanding South African oral health environment given the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) to address the oral health needs of the South African population.
The course additionally allows graduates to become researchers and experts in the field of dental practice management.
Purpose of the qualification
The primary purpose of the MScDent (Practice Management) qualification is to develop oral health care practitioners’ (OHCP) necessary skills, attitudes and knowledge in order to increase their material and spiritual rewards from dentistry by enabling them to:
The MScDent (Practice Management) will contribute to the critical and creative thinking of the graduate. The MScDent(Practice Management) student:
Admission to the course
Level, credits and learning components assigned to the qualification
The Master of Science in Dental Practice Management [MScDent (Practice Management)] programme is estimated at SAQA level 9 and 150 credits are allocated to the programme. The programme is presented in English. The field of the qualification is nine credits and the sub-field that of health.
a. Academic Programme: Assignments/seminars/discussions in the following fields through self-reading, panel discussions and seminars: Ethics and Jurisprudence, Leadership in the Dental Practice, Strategic Management, Marketing, Financial Management, Information Systems, Personnel Management, Occupational Health and Safety, Patient Management, Administrative Management and Risk Management applicable to the dental practice environment.
(ii) Duration
At least four semesters of part-time study.
(iii) Curriculum
(aa) Attendance course TNM 800 Applied research methodology 800 (Five credits)
(bb) An examination (ODO 800) (as part of the Postgraduate Diploma in Dentistry:
Practice Management [PGDipDent(PracMan)] and dissertation (ODO 890)
Course Structure
Master of Science Practice Management [MScDent(Practice Management)] programme consists of two components: An academic programme and a research project for a dissertation.
Academic programme
The course mainly requires independent self-study learning activities with minimal direct facilitation by the study leader. One compulsory contact session is scheduled for September in Pretoria. During this contact session, assignments will be presented by the candidate(s) to a panel accompanied by a group discussion.
Basic subject: Health Professions Ethics and Jurisprudence
Candidates will have to identify, source and study the laws, regulations and guidelines that govern the health professions and dentistry in particular. The application of these laws, regulations and guidelines will be assessed during an open-book written assessment (during September of the first study year) and must be applied in the assignments of the main subject. The test date is in September, during the contact session.
Main subject: Dental Practice Management
The main subject will be addressed by means of a short essay and three assignments by the candidate.
Each candidate must submit a short personal background essay (minimum of 500 words), which must clearly indicate the reasons for enrolling for the course. The essay will be assessed on the ability of the student to reflect, the challenges that needs to be addressed and how the course may have an impact on their personal development. (Due date: end of March).
Candidates have to complete an assignment on “Leadership” (Outcome 2) and have to select an additional five of the remaining nine outcomes (see attached “Study Component” document). A total of three assignments, comprising two outcomes each, must be completed and submitted. Assignments must be based on sound scientific principles, which must be supported by valid literature references. It is suggested that current practice owners/managers select their topics in order to assist them in improving business practices in their practices (It is recommended that a SWOT analysis be conducted of their own business management practices with the aim of improvement). Prospective entrepreneurs are advised to select topics that would assist in the establishment of a new practice.
Assignment Instructions:
Plagiarism Policy
Kindly take note that the University of Pretoria has a very specific policy regarding plagiarism (see attached policy document). Copying and pasting from any source is strictly forbidden and the quoted literature must be referenced appropriately.
Due dates:
The programme will aim to address the following fields through self-reading, panel discussions and CPD accredited seminars:
1. Ethics and Jurisprudence (E&J)
To acquire the scientific knowledge on Ethics and Jurisprudence (E&J), e.g. important rules, guidelines and laws that guide the dental profession and to recognise, analyse and evaluate responsibility towards patients, colleagues and the community in order to make morally and ethically responsible decisions in the dental practice environment.
2. Leadership, Marketing and Strategic Management
To become competent in defining a purpose, provide a sense of direction and determine the resources needed to provide for a successful practice with a long-term future.
3. Financial Management
To be able to recommend financial management initiatives to ensure the success of the practice
4. Logistical and Technology Management
To acquire the necessary Logistical and Technology Management skills to be able to manage an inventory system, maintain equipment and be able to collect, organise and store data required for the conduct of the practice and the production of information in the form of reports or in response to enquiries.
5. Personnel Management
To acquire the necessary Personnel Management knowledge and skills to be competent in managing the personnel of the practice as a valuable asset and to ensure employee satisfaction, retention and performance that can give a practice a competitive advantage.
6. Occupational Health and Safety
To strengthen the existing Occupational Health and Safety knowledge to ensure optimal occupational health and safety in a dental practice environment.
7. Patient and Administrative Management
To acquire Patient and Administrative Management skills and knowledge to administer activities in ensuring an organised practice and to be competent to ensure complete customer satisfaction in order to develop a long-term loyalty among patients.
8. Risk Management
To acquire the necessary Risk Management knowledge to be competent in applying the laws of jurisdiction in which he/she practices.
Research project
A research topic must be discussed and approved by the supervisor and the research protocol approved by the Research and Ethics Committees.
The graduate will be requested to deliver four (one per semester) seminars based on management and Ethics and Jurisprudence topics that are directly related to the research project. The study leader will identify the topics for the seminars. The graduate will also do an appropriate presentation at the final year Practice Management seminar and lecture on his/her research topic to fourth years, present a poster at the faculty research day and at a possible local conference.
Assessments
Attendance course (compulsory): Applied Research Methodology (TNM 800)
TNM 800 Applied research methodology 800: this is an attendance course and will be assessed accordingly.
Academic programme
Assignments/Seminars/Discussions will be moderated by a panel of examiners who are experienced in the respective fields of Ethics and Jurisprudence and Dental Practice Management. The following rubric will be used:
|
Assessment Rubric |
|
|
Criteria |
Rating |
|
High quality answer: considered the core principles in the decision-making and made correct decisions substantiated by trends in the local environment |
75% and up |
|
Quality answer: same as above but left out one or two substantiating points |
65% -74% |
|
Made correct decision without much substantiation |
50 – 64% |
|
Failed to make a decision |
<50% |
|
Did not answer the question |
0% |
Dissertation
The dissertation assessment is conducted in accordance with the assessment policy of the UP. The assessment is conducted by an experienced panel consisting of:
International comparability
The Exit Level Outcomes (ELO) of this qualification can be compared with international standards. An example of a comparable qualification is the following: Masters of Health Services Administration (M.H.S.A.) at the University of Michigan
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