How To Become A Dentist In South Africa (2026)

Becoming a dentist in South Africa is a long journey. It requires years of intensive study, hands-on clinical training, and a deep commitment to serving others. But for those who feel the call, it is one of the most respected and rewarding careers in healthcare.

This guide walks you through every step: the educational requirements, the entrance exams, the degree programme, the compulsory internship and community service, and finally, registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The path is demanding, but the destination is a career that changes lives.

How To Become A Dentist In South Africa

The Educational Journey: From Matric To Graduation

The road to becoming a dentist begins with academic excellence. The foundational qualification is the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS). This is a professional degree registered at NQF Level 08 with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The qualification carries a minimum of 480 credits and is offered by several universities, including the University of Pretoria, University of the Western Cape, University of the Witwatersrand, and Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University.

But before you can even apply, you must meet strict entry requirements.

Step 1: Excelling In Matric

Your journey starts with your National Senior Certificate (NSC). Dentistry is one of the most competitive programmes in South Africa, and meeting the minimum requirements is rarely enough. You need to excel.

The typical subject requirements include:

– English: You need a strong pass. Communication with patients is central to dentistry, and you must be fluent.
– Mathematics: Pure Mathematics is almost always required. Mathematical Literacy is generally not accepted for BDS programmes.
– Physical Sciences: A strong understanding of physics and chemistry is essential for understanding dental materials and bodily processes.
– Life Sciences: Biology forms the foundation of understanding human anatomy and oral health.

The specific points required vary by university, but you should aim for an Admission Points Score (APS) well above 30. For example, the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Pretoria have exceptionally high entry thresholds. Because spaces are limited, only the top achievers are admitted.

Step 2: Sitting The Entrance Tests

In addition to your matric results, most universities require you to sit for the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs). The NBTs assess your academic readiness for university-level study. They test your proficiency in Academic Literacy, Quantitative Literacy, and Mathematics. Your NBT results, combined with your matric results, determine whether you receive an offer.

Some universities also require manual dexterity tests. Dentistry is a surgical field. You work in a small, dark space inside a patient’s mouth. Your hands must be steady, and your fine motor skills must be exceptional. The dexterity test helps admissions panels assess whether you have the physical aptitude for the work.

Step 3: Completing The Bachelor Of Dental Surgery (BDS)

Once you are accepted, you embark on a five to six year journey. The BDS is a full-time, intensive professional degree.

The first two to three years focus on the basic medical sciences. You will study human anatomy, often working on cadavers. You will learn physiology, understanding how the body functions. You will study pathology, learning about the diseases that affect the human body. Pharmacology teaches you about the drugs you will prescribe. You will also begin learning the preclinical aspects of dentistry, practising on mannequins and plastic teeth.

The later years are clinical. You move into the university’s dental hospital or clinic. You begin treating real patients under the close supervision of experienced dentists and specialists. You will perform fillings, extractions, root canals, and fit crowns and bridges. You will learn about oral medicine, radiology (reading X-rays), and orthodontics (straightening teeth). You will also treat children, learning how to manage their unique fears and dental needs.

Graduation is a moment of immense pride. You have earned your BDS degree. But you are not yet qualified to practise independently. The next two years are arguably the most transformative of your career.

The HPCSA Registration And Training

Before you can touch a patient, you must be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The HPCSA is the statutory body that regulates all health professions in the country. It is illegal to practise as a dentist without being registered.

Step 4: Student Registration

During your university years, you are registered as a student with the HPCSA. Your university typically handles this process for you.

Step 5: The Compulsory Internship

After graduation, you must complete a two-year internship. This is not optional. It is a legal requirement under the Health Professions Act.

The internship is a period of supervised clinical training. You will work at a designated public hospital or approved health facility. You are no longer a student, but you are not yet independent. You work under the guidance of experienced dentists and specialists who mentor you, correct you, and ensure you meet the required competencies.

During these two years, you will refine your clinical skills. You will manage more complex cases. You will learn how to work efficiently in a busy public hospital setting, where resources are often limited and patient volumes are high. You will also develop your professional judgment, learning when to treat and when to refer to a specialist. The internship is paid, though the stipend is modest. But the real compensation is the experience you gain.

The National Department of Health manages the placement of graduates through the Internship and Community Service Programme (ICSP) online system. You must apply through this system to be allocated to a hospital.

Step 6: The Year Of Community Service

Once you have successfully completed your two-year internship, you are not free to open a private practice. You must complete one year of remunerated community service.

The purpose of community service is to improve access to healthcare in underserved areas. You will be placed at a public health facility in a rural or under-resourced community. You are paid a salary, and you work as a fully responsible clinician, though supervision is available.

This is often the most challenging year of your training. You may be the only dentist serving thousands of patients. You will see conditions you never encountered at university. You will work with limited equipment and supplies. You will face the reality of South Africa’s healthcare inequalities. But you will also experience the deepest sense of purpose. The patients you treat will be genuinely grateful. You will save teeth that would otherwise be lost. You will relieve pain that has been ignored for years. Many dentists look back on their community service year as the time they fell in love with the profession.

Community service is a statutory requirement. Dentists are listed specifically under the fields of study that must complete this programme. You cannot register for independent practice without this year.

Step 7: Registering For Independent Practice

Only after you have completed your internship and community service can you apply to the HPCSA for registration as an independent practitioner.

You will need to submit your academic qualifications, proof of completion of your internship and community service, and pay the required registration fees. Once approved, you receive your registration certificate, and you are legally allowed to practise dentistry without supervision.

At this point, you can choose to work in the public sector, join a private practice, or open your own practice.

Specialisation: Becoming An Expert

After gaining experience as a general dentist, you may wish to specialise. South Africa has several recognised specialities, including:

– Orthodontics: Straightening teeth and correcting bites
– Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Surgical procedures on the mouth, jaws, and face
– Paediatric Dentistry: Treating children
– Periodontics: Treating gum diseases
– Prosthodontics: Replacing missing teeth with crowns, bridges, and dentures
– Endodontics: Specialising in root canal treatments
– Oral Pathology: Diagnosing diseases of the mouth

Specialisation requires an additional Master’s degree (MChD) and further examinations. Specialists are in high demand and command higher fees, but the training is competitive and lengthy.

The Pathway For Foreign-Trained Dentists

If you qualified as a dentist in another country and wish to practise in South Africa, the HPCSA has a specific pathway for you.

First, you must submit your qualifications to the HPCSA for evaluation. The Council will assess whether your training meets South African standards.

If your qualifications are not recognised, you may be required to write a theory examination. Upon passing the theory, you must apply to a South African university for clinical exposure placement for a period of one year. You will be registered as a student intern (INS) with the HPCSA.

After completing 12 months of clinical exposure, you must take the practical part of the assessment, known as the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Once you pass the OSCE, you will be registered in the Internship category, followed by Community Service, and finally independent practice.

Candidates are only allowed a maximum of three attempts for the theory and practical parts of the assessment. This process is rigorous, but it ensures that all dentists practising in South Africa meet the same high standards.

The Personal Qualities You Need

Academic excellence is essential, but it is not enough. Dentistry demands specific personal qualities.

Manual dexterity is non-negotiable. You will be working in millimetres inside a dark, wet environment. Your hands must be steady, and your coordination must be precise. If you struggle with fine motor tasks, dentistry will be a constant frustration.

Patience is essential. Some patients are terrified. Some children scream. Some adults are unreasonable. You need the emotional regulation to stay calm and kind, no matter how challenging the patient.

Attention to detail saves lives. Missing a small lesion on the gum could be missing early-stage oral cancer. An improperly fitted crown can cause years of pain. You must be meticulous.

Empathy is the heart of the profession. Patients do not come to you because they want to. They come because they are in pain, or they are scared, or they are embarrassed about their teeth. They need you to see them, not just their mouths.

Physical stamina is real. You will spend hours leaning over patients in awkward positions. Back pain and neck strain are common complaints among dentists. You need to take care of your own body to sustain a long career.

The Emotional Reality

It would be dishonest to talk about dentistry without addressing its weight. You will have patients who cry in the chair. You will have patients who cannot afford the treatment they need, and you will have to watch them walk away in pain. You will make mistakes, and those mistakes can hurt people.

But you will also have patients who hug you after you relieve their pain. You will have children who leave your office smiling because you made the experience not scary. You will have elderly patients who weep with gratitude because you gave them back their ability to eat and smile.

Dentistry is a beautiful blend of science and humanity. It is physically demanding and emotionally draining. But it is also deeply, profoundly meaningful.

Summary Of Your Pathway

Here is a consolidated timeline of the journey.

– Matric: Complete your NSC with strong results in English, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences. Aim for an APS of well above 30.
– Entrance Tests: Write the NBTs and any manual dexterity tests required by your chosen university.
– University: Complete the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree. This takes five to six years. Register as a student with the HPCSA.
– Internship: Complete two years of supervised internship at a public hospital. Apply through the ICSP online system.
– Community Service: Complete one year of remunerated community service at an underserved facility. Apply through the ICSP online system.
– Independent Registration: Apply to the HPCSA for independent practice registration.
– Career: Practise as a general dentist or pursue specialisation through a Master’s degree.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become a dentist in South Africa?
From the start of university to independent practice, expect approximately eight to nine years: five to six years of study, two years of internship, and one year of community service.

Which universities offer dentistry in South Africa?
The primary universities are the University of Pretoria, University of the Western Cape, University of the Witwatersrand, and Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University.

Can I become a dentist with a criminal record?
The HPCSA requires that registered practitioners be of good character. A criminal record may disqualify you. The HPCSA evaluates each case individually.

Do dentists get paid during internship and community service?
Yes. Both the internship and community service years are remunerated. The salary is set by the Department of Health and is modest compared to private practice earnings.

What is the difference between a dentist and an oral hygienist?
A dentist diagnoses and treats diseases of the teeth and mouth, performs surgical procedures, and prescribes medication. An oral hygienist focuses on preventative care, cleaning teeth, and educating patients on oral health. Hygienists work under the supervision of a dentist.

Can foreign dentists practise in South Africa?
Yes, but they must have their qualifications evaluated by the HPCSA. They may be required to complete additional examinations and clinical training before being allowed to practise.

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