Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BChD)

The School of Dentistry at the University of Pretoria is widely recognised—both nationally and  internationally for the quality of its training, research and patient care, as well as for its involvement in community-based projects. The typical work-day of a dentist is spent diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases of the mouth and teeth. This includes the removal or repair of carious teeth, the replacement of absent teeth by means of crown dentures, and bridge therapy, and the treatment of diseases of the gums. Dentists are also responsible for surgical intervention in the mouth, the  alignment of irregular teeth, alleviation of pain, improvement of aesthetics, root canal treatment and the planning of dental treatment in consultation with their patients.

To keep pace with the requirements of modern tertiary education, the School of Dentistry follows a curriculum that is problem-based, student-oriented and directed at the community, with vertical and horizontal integration of subjects. The degree in dentistry requires five years of full-time study, followed by one year of compulsory community service. Students get first-hand exposure to clinical dentistry from the second semester of the first year of study and participate in extensive clinical training from the third year onward through simulation and actual work on patients.

This programme is ideal for very driven and hardworking individuals who love working with people, are detail-oriented, love to work with their hands and technology, and want to make a difference to communities in need. An interest in the natural sciences, biology and research is a prerequisite.

The programme is accredited by HPCSA. The programme is unique through early clinical exposure, integration and community exposure, forming golden threads throughout the curriculum. The programme focuses on developing clinical reasoning skills and so-called “soft skills”, including relational communication skills through case-based learning and role play.

For more information, please consult the Faculty webpage.

Dentists, specialists, academics and researchers

Important information for all prospective students for 2024

The admission requirements below apply to all who apply for admission to the University of Pretoria with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualifications. Click here for this Faculty Brochure.

Selection criteria are available on the faculty's webpage at: click here.

• Seventy (70) first-year students are selected annually.
• Only first-choice applicants are considered.

Modules will be presented only in English, which is the University's official language of tuition, communication and correspondence.

The Faculty of Health Sciences continues to exemplify and build on the University of Pretoria’s vision of being a leading research-intensive university in Africa: it is recognised internationally for its quality, relevance and impact, as well as for creating knowledge, developing people and making a difference locally and globally. 

The Faculty is home to 5 500 undergraduate and 1 500 postgraduate students, including medical and dental fellowship training in more than 40 disciplines. 

The Faculty’s research output has grown, in response to the need for research that is relevant to the improvement of health and health care and advancing medicine in South Africa, Africa and globally. 

• Disclaimer: This publication contains information about regulations and programmes of the University of Pretoria. Amendments to or updating of the information may be effected from time to time without prior notification. The accuracy, correctness or validity of the information contained here is therefore not guaranteed by the University at any given time and is always subject to verification. The user is kindly requested to verify the correctness of the information with the University at all times. Failure to do so will not give rise to any claim or action of any nature against the University by any party whatsoever.