The University of Pretoria’s School of Dentistry has unveiled a modernised radiology unit that promises to significantly elevate clinical training and patient care. Leading this transformative project is Prof Tsholofelo Kungoane, Academic HOD and Head of the Clinical Department in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, who shared insights into the motivation and impact behind the impressive new facility.

Prof Tsholofelo Kungoane in the intraoral room

For years, the school had a radiology area that, although functional, fell short of the standards required for an evolving healthcare teaching environment. “The space was dimly lit, with no natural light entering,” Prof Kungoane explains. “The ceiling beam supports were brown, and the floor was both brown and uneven. After numerous attempts at floor repairs, it became clear that the problems were deeper than we thought.”

Beyond structural issues, the previous setup struggled to keep pace with technological advancements and the demands of growing clinical activity. Most of the clinical rooms were dual-capacity, slowing down operations during peak hours. Coupled with outdated and sluggish radiology machines, it became evident that the unit needed a full upgrade.

The new radiology area represents a complete redesign—expanding from seven to 11 clinical rooms equipped with advanced dental imaging technologies. These include:

• Five extraoral machine rooms
• Two dual cone-beam CT (CBCT) rooms
• Six intraoral rooms
• Four new panoramic (pan) and cephalometric (ceph) machines

Senior Lecturer and Head of the Clinical Unit (HCU) in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Dr Shaik, holding the portable sonar machine.

And this is just the beginning.

“We are also in the process of acquiring a new pan-ceph and two CBCT machines,” says Prof Kungoane.

The revamped unit now features a larger reporting room with nine reporting stations that cater to both undergraduate and postgraduate students, a significant stride in strengthening clinical training. A dedicated sterilization area, equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, ensures a safe and efficient workflow. Meanwhile, a staff lounge with a kitchenette supports a healthier and more comfortable working environment.

The changes are already reshaping the way students learn and operate in clinical settings.

“The expanded clinical and reporting rooms have made clinical supervision and teaching much more effective,” Prof Kungoane notes. “The improved unit flow and aesthetics mean smoother movement—from patient registration to image capture to reporting. This has accelerated diagnostic services and will help students complete their clinical quotas more efficiently.”

The revamped radiology unit not only serves dental and oral health students but also provides a clinical training platform for Radiography students from the School of Healthcare Sciences.

“We look forward to welcoming our sister school into this shared clinical training environment,” she adds.

Patients, too, have felt the change.

“Our patients love the waiting area. The high ceilings and natural light have transformed it,” says Prof Kungoane. “Many say it resembles a private unit within the dental school. Our waiting area has truly become a lounge for hospital patients.”

The newly upgraded radiology area reflects the School of Dentistry’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and patient-centred care. With expanded capacity, cutting-edge technology, and a focus on enhancing both teaching and service delivery, the facility marks a significant step in shaping the future of dental education at the University of Pretoria. The project was made possible with the invaluable support of Facilities Services, whose patience and assistance throughout construction - including helping to furnish the space - ensured its successful completion.