Abstract:
To describe the current oral health care needs and the number and category of dental
personnel required to provide necessary services in South Africa (SA). This is a review of the current
disease burden based on local epidemiological studies and the number of oral health personnel
registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). In SA, oral health services
are rendered by oral hygienists, dental therapists, dentists, and dental specialists. Dental caries
remains one of the most prevalent conditions, and much of them are untreated. The majority of oral
care providers are employed in the private sector even though the majority of the population access
the public sector which only o ers a basic package of oral care. The high prevalence of caries could
be prevented and treated by the public sector. The infrastructure at primary health care facilities
needs to be improved so that dentists performing community service can be more effectively utilized.
At present, SA requires more dental therapists and oral hygienists to be trained at the academic
training institutions.
