On the 17 December 2020, the Faculty of Health Sciences hosted the Declaration Ceremony for the School of Dentistry which took place virtually. The ceremony signified a culmination of many years of hard work, the persistent pursuit of knowledge and clinical expertise by the students. Oath-taking ceremonies have been solemn and triumphant occasions for our graduating Dentists and Oral hygienists to take their professional oath and thus become properly inducted into the dental profession as qualified Dentists and Oral Hygienists by the Health Professional Council of South Africa.

Chairperson of the School of Dentistry, Prof Sindisiwe Shangase congratulated the class of 2020. She said “Your success under the most trying times is no small feat. Well done and thank you for never losing focus on the ultimate goal.  We wish you tons of success in your future endeavours. Work hard; maintain the ethic; make time for family, friends and all the things that you enjoy doing. Enjoy life, responsibly and stay safe!” Students also received awards for their outstanding academic performance in various categories which can be viewed below.

Awards for Bachelor of Dental Surgery

•   Gold Medal of the South African Dental Association. The gold medal is awarded to a student for exceptional achievement in his/her academic career.  (The highest undergraduate award in the School of Dentistry sponsored by the SA Dental Association):  Eric Heyl
•    Bronze medals of the South African Dental Association sponsored by the SA Dental Association for the best results in:
• Orthodontics: Dané Cronjé
• Public Oral Health (Community as Patient): Buisiwe Khambula                                    
• Maxillofacial pathology: Eric Heyl
• Odontology: Eric Heyl
• Orofacial surgery: Johan Ströh
• Periodontology: Justine Moodley
• Prosthodontics: Johan Ströh
• Comprehensive patient management: Léanca Coetzer

• The South African Dental Association Leadership Award for conspicuous leadership qualities, character and sportsmanship sponsored by the SA Dental Association is awarded to Alexandar Ablinger.     
• Best Performance in the Final Year Prize for the best performance in the final year of study sponsored by Wright-Millners is awarded to Eric Heyl.
• Clinical Removable Prosthodontics Prize for the best performance in clinical removable prosthodontics sponsored by Prossa is awarded to Michelle Coetsee.                                       
• Clinical Fixed Prosthodontics Prize for the best performance in clinical fixed prosthodontics sponsored by Prossa is awarded to Wilmary Petros.
• Clinical Orofacial Surgery Prize for the best performance in clinical orofacial surgery is awarded to Johan Ströh.                                                                                                    
• Orofacial Surgery Theory Prize for the best performance in the theoretical aspects of Orofacial surgery is awarded to Léanca Coetzer.                                                                        
• Clinical Orthodontics Prize for the best performance in clinical orthodontics sponsored by Prof WA Wiltshire is awarded to Léanca Coetzer.
• Clinical Periodontics Prize for the best performance in clinical periodontics sponsored by Sensodyne is awarded to Van der Merwe van Niekerk.

● Endodontics Prize for the best performance in Endodontics sponsored by DentsplySirona is awarded to Johan Ströh.

● Paedodontics Prize for the best performance in Paedodontics sponsored by the Paedodontic Society of South Africa is awarded to Monique Bester.

●  Restorative Dentistry Prize for the best performance in Restorative dentistry sponsored by DentsplySirona is awarded to Léanca Coetzer.

●  Dental Materials Prize for the best performance in Dental materials sponsored by The Dental Warehouse is awarded to Eric Heyl.

• Diagnostic Imaging Prize for the best performance in Diagnostic imaging sponsored by Ivodent IS AWARDED TO Chwen-Chyi Yang.
• Maxillofacial Pathology Prize for the best performance during the final year’s study in maxillofacial pathology sponsored by Ivodent is awarded to Eric Heyl.

Awards for Oral Hygiene Student: Bachelor of Oral Hygiene

●  Oral Hygiene Prize for the best overall performance during the course sponsored by Oral B awarded to Marechelle Volschenk.

● Oral Hygienists Association of South Africa Prize for the best performance during the final year of a study sponsored by OHASA awarded to Marechelle Volschenk.

MPHIL

● Best Oral Presentation in Oral Hygiene Prize for the best presentations on topics in Oral Hygiene sponsored by Oral B.

• First prize: Dimpho Segopolo SEGOPOLO
• Second prize: Omphile Senkwente
• Third prize: Marechelle Volschenk

●   Clinical Oral Hygiene Prize for the best performance in clinical oral hygiene sponsored by Wright-Millners awarded to Marchelle Volschenk.

●   Periodontics Prize for the best performance in Periodontics sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline awarded to Dimpho Segopolo.

●   Comprehensive Patient Management Prize for the best performance in Comprehensive patient management sponsored by GoodX Omphile Senkwente.

●   Radiography (Theory and Practical) Prize for the best performance in Radiography theory and practical sponsored by Wright-Millners awarded to Marechelle Volschenk.

●   Preventive Dentistry Prize for the best performance in Preventive dentistry as part of Odontology sponsored by Dental Warehouse awarded to Marechelle Volschenk.

●   Orthodontics Prize for the best performance in Orthodontics sponsored by Ormco awarded to Dimpho Segopolo.

To watch the School of Dentistry’s Oath Taking Ceremony please click below.