Unqualified, but experienced dental assistants registration update
The Health Professions Council of South Africa's (HPCSA) Professional Board of Dental Therapy and Oral Hygiene has submitted recommendations to the minister of health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi regarding amendments to the qualifications to register as a dental assistant.
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Once the minister has given his final approval and the regulations have been promulgated, unqualified, but experienced dental assistants will be registrable for a period of two years, but in order to remain registered they will need to complete a professional board exam.
Registration procedure
Four exam sittings will be offered in each of the nine provinces each year, and candidates will be given three opportunities to pass. Failure to do so will result in candidates no longer being registered as dental assistants.
Dental assistants who don’t write or pass the exam will have to obtain a formal dental assisting qualification from the HPCSA’s recognised and accredited institutions of higher education.
Protecting the public and guiding the professions
The Professional Board of Dental Therapy and Oral Hygiene has asked the HPCSA for a dedicated office to register dental assistants for a period of four months.This office will be in addition to the off-site registration process and facilities available in the various provinces.
The initial registration will be made available on the HPCSA website as soon as the regulations are promulgated.
