Undergraduate Programmes

https://www.up.ac.za/programmes

Training in Periodontics commences in the 3^rd year of study. A solid theoretical foundation is built on the anatomy and morphology of the periodontium, pathophysiology of infective periodontal disease and mechanical and biological principles of treatment. The physical aspect of treatment is learned in the Skills Laboratory where extracted teeth are mounted in a phantom head to recreate the clinical setting.

The first clinical exposure is gained in the 4^th year when students are grouped in pairs and assigned the periodontal management of a patient. This includes the comprehensive assessment of the patient’s clinical condition, designing of a treatment plan and execution of the ‘cause related therapy’ phase of treatment.

In the 5^th year of study, greater emphasis is placed on the surgical aspects of periodontal therapy, including dental implant treatment, and practical exposure is gained through assistance of post-graduate students in surgical procedures.

The students start their training in Oral Medicine during their 4^th year of study to coincide with the completion of their studies in pharmacology and commencing their studies in oral pathology which introduces the oral mucosal diseases that the student may encounter in the clinic. The 4^th year focuses on the theoretical aspects of managing a patient with an oral medicine complaint including principles of investigations and pharmacological agents used. While in the 5^th year, the theoretical knowledge is put to use as the student gets the opportunity to assess, employ diagnostic techniques and treat the patient with an oral medicine complaint.