Senate Report, Faculty of Dentistry, May 2023
General
The Faculty has made progress in the following key areas in the last 3 months:-
Infrastructure: Infrastructure upgrades have started in the following places:
Upgrade of Mitchell’s Plain Entrance and Reception
Upgrade of A Floor Postgraduate Student Room at Tygerberg
Upgrade of D Floor Student Common Room at TYgerberg
Upgrade of D Floor Staff/Student Cafeteria
WIFI Upgrades at Tygerberg
Faculty Structure: The proposed seven Department Structure for Dentistry has been approved as follows:
Department Name
Comment/Activity
1. Department of Community Dentistry Specialist training recognized by HPCSA
2. Department of Craniofacial Biology, Pathology & Radiology
[Has incorporated Departments of Craniofacial Biology, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology]
3. Department of Maxillofacial & Oral Surgery
4. Department of Oral Hygiene
5. Department of Prosthodontics
[Has incorporated Departments of Prosthetic Dentistry &Conservative Dentistry]
6. Department of Orthodontics
[Has incorporated Depts of Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry]
Incorporates two smaller departments with a service dept. All 3 have a prominent diagnostic & clinical focus which provides the rationale for operating as one dept.
Maxillofacial & Oral Surgery is a specialist training program and will incorporate Anaesthesiology & Sedation
Dedicated hygienist training which also has their own board of control (Oral Hygiene & Dental Therapy Board) at HPCSA
Is a recognized training specialty at HPCSA
Specialist training for orthodontics and their focus on child developmental growth makes them the ideal dept to incorporate pediatric dentistry.
7. Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology Is a recognized training specialty at HPCSA
Appointment process for HODs for new seven department structure
Nominations and interviews for five of the seven departments were held in April and may 2023.Two departments (Orthodontics & Prosthodontics) have vacant senior posts and it was felt that we should wait for appointments into these posts before finalising HOD appointments. The interview process for the five departments was completed and served at Joint appointments and promotion within the faculty and at the university. The following HODs were formally appointed on three year terms (June 2023 to June 2026)
Dr G Hein – Oral & Maxillofacial surgery
Prof M Chetty- Department of Craniofacial Biology, Pathology & Radiology
Prof P Brijlall- Oral Hygiene
Prof D Smit – Community Dentistry
Dr A Jeftha – Oral Medicine & Periodontology
Prof R Adam – acting HOD Prosthodontics and Prof N Mohammed – acting HOD Orthodontics were appointed for 3 months (April 2023-July 2023) whilst the department vacancies were advertised.
The process for the splitting of the DD PG studies was finalised. A DD Higher Degrees and DD Research was approved conditionally for a period of 1 year subject to a review at the end of the term. Nominations and appointments will now follow
Covid-19 and infection control protocols at Dentistry
Dentistry remains an extremely high risk area of health care because of the routine exposure to aerosols. Although the policy regarding mandatory vaccinations has been changed, we have, as a health facility in the Western Cape Province, decided to align our protocols with that of the province. In lieu of this…we have maintained the following infection control practices at the faculty:-
• All standard cross-infection procedures as recommended by CDC (center for disease control) will be strictly implemented
• Water line decontamination
• Pre treatment oral rinse
• Rubber dam use where possible
• Air purifier use in clinical areas
• High volume suction
• Controlled access to AGP prevalent areas
• Mask wearing
Further to the above, the Faculty has adopted a mask policy as follows:-
All staff and students to wear a surgical mask within the Clinical areas of the Academic Oral Health Centre (includes all sites)
Reports from Departments
Department of Oral Hygiene
1. Community engagement
A World Oral Health day project at UWC main campus. This was a faculty initiative planned by staff from six departments (Dr’s Ramphoma, Indermann, Maart, Behardien, Ms Gordon and Prof Adam). The project included oral health promotion and dental screening using the mobile clinic. The planning group met with Institutional Advancement and campus media to promote the initiative amongst students and the broader academic structures and community. This resulted in voice-notes from staff being put onto the university platform and the dean being interviewed by the media office. In the longer term, the working group discussed the possibility of having World Oral Health day put onto the university calendar and the work of departments highlighted by the media office.BOH2 students participated in the Faculty outreach (Steenberg farm) as a learning activity for the oral health promotion module (OHP213) module. Students had the opportunity to apply theory to a practical context involving a farming community. Learning activities included an exhibition for adults; games, storytelling and face-painting for children and assisting during the screening and treatment process in the mobile clinic.
Dr Naidoo is currently engaged in the Sparkle Brush project collaboration with several schools in the Western Cape and Kwa-Zulu-Natal where screening to collect base line data and a tooth brushing / fluoride program will be part of a sustained project. The project has further been registered for research purposes.
BOH2 students participated in the Faculty outreach (Steenberg farm) as a learning activity for the oral health promotion module (OHP213) module. Students had the opportunity to apply theory to a practical context involving a farming community. Learning activities included an exhibition for adults; games, storytelling and face-painting for children and assisting during the screening and treatment process in the mobile clinic.
BOH2 students visited the Mitchells Plain library where they participated in the annual library week initiative. This is an annual event held by the library and where the faculty is invited to participate. Students presented a talk and interactive activity to grade 7 learners who were invited to the library.
Learning and teaching
Staff attended the following Learning and Teaching presentations: Setting and blueprinting step-by-step test & examination papers – Dr. Samuel Lundie (29 March) and the Assessment webinar 2: Internal and External Moderation (19 April).
Research capacity
Staff attended the Research supervision workshop on 14 April 2023 hosted by the Faculty a Ruslamere in Durbanville.
3. Service learning
Phelophepa train. BOH3 students have been placed on the train where clinical services and preventative treatment were offered.
Bottelary farm school outreach. The BOH3 students and BDS students together with staff of the Com Dent and Oral Hygiene Department, provide preventive and clinical services for school children. This is an ongoing initiative.
4. Partners with Industry
The BOH3 students had a presentation by Colgate on the latest products. This opportunity was coordinated by Mrs R Cader.
5. International Collaboration
Prof. Brijlal received funding through the UCDG opportunity which was used to facilitate the development of a bridging program for Oral Hygiene Diplomats in the Seychelles to obtain a Degree. This request was initiated by the Ministry of Health in Seychelles. The Department of Oral Hygiene previously had such a bridging program and will once again offer it as a once-off opportunity for Seychellois and South Africans. The application to reinstate the program was approved at Faculty Higher Degrees and Senate Academic Planning in 2022. The Department, in collaboration with the Ministry, is currently engaged in discussions with the planning and logistics.
Meeting with the CEO-HCA, Director of Oral Health
Meeting with registrar and members of HPC Services, and Programme Coordinator – NIHSS
Meeting with the Oral Hygienists in Seychelles
CPD activity – 2 Day presentation and workshop on Qualitative Research in Health Sciences
Professor Brijlal was invited to Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS) in Chennai, India in February 2023. She was hosted on behalf of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) as a recipient of the University Capacity Development Grant (UCDG) offered by her home Institution through the DVC Research and Development office.
The exchange intended to:
establish a partnership and develop an MOU,
gain exposure to the academic project,
participate in the academic program,
University of the Western Cape. Private Bag X1. Tygerberg 7505. South Africa.
identify and initiate niche areas for collaboration in research,
explore the potential for staff and student exchange.
Professor Brijlal was provided with a planned schedule which included, outreach programs, presentation of lectures on research methodology, meetings with various Faculties, participating in thesis presentations and defense and engaging with Faculty staff and students in clinical and outreach settings. She was taken on tours of the different campuses and was exposed to the clinical training platforms, the various dental disciplines, state of the art equipment, the research labs, resource centres etc. of SIMATS. Professor Brijlal shared her experiences of UWC and her expertise in research and clinical training. She presented 2 lectures for Dentistry and Nursing students and staff on qualitative research methodology for health sciences. Potential research areas and collaboration opportunities was explored. An MOU was initiated for consideration that incorporated collaboration on research, staff and student exchange, joint post-graduate programs and co-teaching.
From 8-12 May, the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral Hygiene Department, hosted Professor Thangavelu, Dean of International Affairs of SIMATS. She did a presentation for Faculty that show cased the Institution, resources, programs and areas of potential collaboration. During this visit meetings were also arranged with the International Relations Office. Representatives from Dentistry, Natural Science, Pharmacy and Law attended. An independent meeting and tour was held with the School of Nursing. The MOU was finalised and signed between both Institutions.
As part of the Ghent, Artevelde standing collaboration, two academics visited the Department from 12-13 April to continue discussions on hosting joint student and staff projects. The members also presented to the BOH3 students on study opportunities.
6. Conferences
Natalie Gordon will be presenting a paper from her PhD at the IADR in Columbia in June 2023.
Oral Medicine & Periodontology
1. TEACHING AND LEARNING
OMP plans to hold a Departmental workshop for full and part-time staff on clinical supervision standardization on 22 May 2023.
2. STAFF ACHIEVEMENTS
Dr Sune Mulder will be attending the ITI Annual Conference in Portugal as part of the South African ITI Executive Committee from 3-8 May 2023
3. The recent procurement from Dentsply-Sirona to enhance our digital dentistry footprint.
Maxillofacial & Oral Surgery
The department of MFOS participated in World Oral Health Day. This was celebrated on 24 March 2023 at UWC Main Campus.
The Department at Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH), in conjunction with the Department of Oral Hygiene will be hosted an Oral Health awareness exhibition at Groote Schuur Main Hospital on 5 May 2023. The Oral Hygiene students provided information to GSH staff and patients.
University of the Western Cape. Private Bag X1. Tygerberg 7505. South Africa.
Prof J Morkel has been appointed as the overall convenor for the Primaries, Intermediate and Final examination for the FCMFOS-CMSA, First and second semesters 2023. •
Department of Diagnostics and Radiology
MARCH:
Dr Indermun were selected and accepted as “Sakura Science Exchange Visiting Scholars” in Japan
Dr Indermun administrated the launching of the Department of Diagnostics and Radiology Social Media Webpage that were supported by Hospital Management Meeting, Faculty Management meeting and just awaiting feedback from Faculty Board meeting – final launch date to be announced soon.
Dr Ebrahim graduated - MSc Degree in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
MAY:
Dr van Zyl was selected as the only UWC nominee for the THENSA/DSI Staff Capacity Enhancement PhD programme in Science, Technology and Innovation that started in May.
Dr van Zyl are invited as a guest speaker at 8th World Congress on CANCER RESEARCH AND THERAPY on July 19-20, 2023 at Frankfurt, Germany, after the publishing of her article "Correlative imaging and histopathology of a complicated sinonasal teratocarcinosarcoma".
Dr van Zyl are invited as a guest speaker at "4th World Congress on Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism" on September 07-08, 2023 at Rome, Italy after the publishing of her article "Correlative imaging and histopathology of a complicated sinonasal teratocarcinosarcoma".
Conservative Dentistry Report February-May 2023
Undergraduate programmes
All undergraduate clinical teaching was negatively impacted with the unexpected loss of PGWC financial support for clinical teachers in the department late last year.
UWC provided some funding to assist the department however the resignation of the only active teaching specialist in the department has further compounded workload in the department. This has also affected postgraduate teaching in the department.
Load-shedding continues to hamper teaching: lectures, preclinical block courses and clinical teaching.
An Orientation programme was presented to all clinical teachers in the department as the first step in calibrating clinical teachers.
Two digital scanners were purchased through the Dean’s office to mark the introduction of digital workflow within the undergraduate curriculum in the department. The first lecture was delivered on the 16 th May and hands-on session for the final year class is scheduled for the 31 ST May and 1st June. These hands-on teaching sessions would not be possible without the support and partnership with Dentsply Sirona.
CON200:
Within the module 1st term lectures have been completed and the content assessed. The 2nd term lectures have commenced. Loadshedding has not impacted on the scheduled lectures.
CON311:
All scheduled lectures and clinics are continuing. Students have expressed concerns about losing clinical time due to load shedding. A record is being kept of clinics which have been compromised due to load shedding. Persistent load shedding along with chair allocations is clearly impacting on the students’ ability to deliver services in the allocated clinical time. Where lecture slots have been impacted, the lectures have been uploaded and students are requested to download it to their preferred device and follow along from their respective devices during the lecture period.
ENDO400 :
All students have passed the preclinical block and are now treating endo pt's clinically. Endo component of CPM500. All students completed the rotary preclinical block and are now treating pt's with the use of rotary files and apex locators.
CON401:
Clinics and lectures are scheduled as normal for this period; however, students have raised concerns with clinical and lecture time lost due to loadshedding. Lectures are uploaded online in an attempt to mitigate the lecture time lost, however clinical hours missed remain a challenge.
CPM500:
New BDS V module commenced at the start of the 2023 academic year. Baseline assessments have been completed. First case-based assessment will be written on 9 May 2023. Tygerberg Resource Centre and Computer Lab use for case-based assessments remain a challenge. Arrangements now are underway to check the availability of computer labs on main campus. BDS V will continue to require computer labs for most of their assessments.
Postgraduate programmes
ANS 611 and 612
Online teaching has commenced with face to face sessions to be scheduled later this year.
END 611 & END 612
END611 and END612 - All possible students are registered and are receiving lectures online.
Staff development
● Dr S Ahmed: Participating in the LEAD programme offered by the office of DVC academic.
● Dr C Cloete:
1. Completed a 5 day in person Free to Grow: Engaging Leadership Program offered by WCGHW (2 & 3 February, 2 & 3 March, 17 March).
2. Attended the National Indicator Data Set (NIDS) training (14 February)
Community engagement
Dr C Cloete: Attended the Langa Outreach (Islamic Medical Association) on 11 February
Professor Razia Adam was part of the team that hosted a World Oral Health Day screening event on the
UWC main campus.
Drs Bredenkamp ,Ahmed and Karjiker contributed a video clip on the importance of oral health for the World Oral Health Day celebration.
Research
Professor Razia Adam visited the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece during March to explore research collaborative activities. This visit was funded by the UCDG grant and part of the PEEP programme run by Professor Jose Frantz Research and Innovation. During my visit to University of Thessaloniki, we were hosted by the Head of Operative Dentistry, Professor Kosmas Tolidis and his team. We were given a tour of the dental school and met with other dental academics from Prosthetics dentistry and Dental materials laboratory. The department is very active with continuing professional teaching activities including contributing to a Masters course in Laser therapy. The school offers both undergraduate and postgraduate studies in dentistry. The undergraduate classes are about 100 students each and it is a 5-year programme. The facility has 215 dental chairs and they have digital workflows for postgraduate teaching. A report can be found here.
Oral Pathology
Prof Amir Afrogheh appointed external examiner, University of Nairobi, Kenya, June 2023.
Prof Amir Afrogheh served on panel “HPCSA PANELLIST FOR THE EVALUATION OF WITWATERSRAND UNIVERSITY (WITS)’S BDS UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME” March-April 2023
Prof Amir Afrogheh invited by SASPIO as a “SPEAKER AT SADA 2023 ANNUAL CONFERENCE” 25 th August 2023 presented on HPV-positive cancers of the head and neck & Oral white mucosal lesions, discussion of selected cases and an approach
Prof Amir Afrogheh appointed as Member of the Discipline Advisory Committee for the PathReD Congress 2023
Dr Johan Opperman was senior author for this publication: “Correlative imaging and histopathology of a complicated sinonasal teratocarcinosarcoma”. Tineke van Zyl 1 , Leon Janse van Rensburg 1 2 , Komeela Naidoo 3 , Marc Merven 4 , Johan F Opperman 5 6 SA J Radiol 2023 Jan 30;27(1):2548. doi: 10.4102/sajr.v27i1.2548. eCollection 2023.
Dr Amir Afrogheh co-authored: “A unique presentation of IgG4 disease with ocular, neurologic and mastoid involvement. Narotam Jeena H, Afrogheh A, West J, van der Colff F, Brey N. BMJ Case Rep. 2022 Nov 14;15(11):e251736. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2022-251736.
Prof Amir Afrogheh presented at the NHLS PROJECT ECHO ZOOM, Session Title: HPV-positive Cancers of the Head and Neck. 17 Feb 2023.
Dr Johan Opperman presented at the NHLS PROJECT ECHO ZOOM, Session Title: Update on Molecular Pathology in Salivary Gland Neoplasms. 03 March 2023.
Dr Johan Opperman to represent the division at the faculty open day, 13 May 2023.
Dr Johan Opperman presented at SADA, Western Cape Conference on the 23 March 2023: “A potpourri of interesting pathological cases”
Dr Johan Opperman invited to speak at the PathReD Congress 2023. 31st August 2023. Title: “An overview of odontogenic cysts”
Prof Amir Afrogheh invited to speak at the PathReD Congress 2023. 31st August 2023. Title: “An overview of odontogenic tumours”
Dr Julandi Alwan invited to present at the PathReD Congress 2023, 31st August 2023. The young pathologist seminar.
Prof Amir Afrogheh nominated as chief editor for Africa and middle east/thyroid; world tumour registry.
Dr Mongezi Nkosi, appointed as registrar in oral and maxillofacial pathology June 2023.
Deputy Dean: Academic, Teaching & Learning
The faculty Assembly took place on 20 February at the DISA Hall on the Tygerberg Hospital complex. All students (especially first years) were welcomed (back) to the faculty. Departmental staff were introduced to students as well s the newly elected Dental Students Faculty Council.
Merit awards were also handed to the 2022 top performing students in the faculty.
Faculty Students’ Wellness Day took place on 3 March at the cricket oval, main campus. CHS (Nursing), Gender Equity Unit and CSSS form part of the activities to promote Mental Health and Wellness among students.
Two BDS IV left for OSLO at the end of February on a 3-month exchange programme to the UiO.
Four students from UiO joined the faculty for 3 months and rotated through the various clinical disciplines as well as the Guguletu Community clinic and managed patients. The also spent a week on the Phelopepa train. During their stay at the faculty, they completed 2 online assessments as part of their programme at UiO.
Five BDS IV students spent two weeks in March at the Asahi and Meikai Universities in Japan.
Two students from Heidelberg University, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry (Germany) visited the faculty for a period of 2 weeks in March and joined the final year students in the clinics.
Community Dentistry
1. Research outputs
1. Two staff members gave oral presentations at the recent World Federation of Public Health Congress that was hosted in Rome in May.
Dr K Ramphoma: Launching the Maternal & Child Oral Health initiative
Dr N Rampersad: Exploring ethical implications for dental neglect in South Africa
2. Events
1. Outreaches held
UWC Dentistry Wellness Day: 3 April 2023
Steenberg Estate Farm outreach in collaboration with Department of Oral Hygiene and also with the exchange students from University of Gothenburg: 10 April 2023
Fisantekraal: 15 April 2023
UWC staff wellness day: 5 May 2023
Hout Bay with SHAWCO UCT: 6th May 2023 for outreach
2. Scientific events
Two staff members attended the World Federation of Public Health Congress that was hosted in Rome in May
One staff member attended and facilitate a session at the South African Dental Association (SADA) Western Cape Branch: CPD Day 25 March 2023 (WC055), in Milnerton
The whole department attended the Faculty Postgraduate Supervision workshop held in Cape Town on 14 April 2023
Four staff members attended online seminar presentation done by Prof Cristin Kearns from the Institute for Health Policy Studies at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Title: Big Sugar, Big Politics: Exploring the University of California San Francisco Online Food Industry Documents Archive: 26th April 2023
3. Newsworthy events
1. Two postgraduate students and one staff member graduated in March:
Dr C Mwesiga (PhD in Dental Public Health)
Dr D Elhassan (MSc in Dental Public Health)
Dr K Simpson (MSc in Dental Public Health)
2. International lecture presented at our most recent Community Dentistry Journal club on 12 May 2023:
Professor Rita Villena (Chair Pediatric Dentistry Department - University San Martin de Porres) Mother and Child program: a model to reach UHC in dentistry
3. Registrars seminars inviting our specialist partners in Gauteng dental schools
Cost-analysis of treating paediatric dental patients under general anaesthesia, Dr N Rampersad, 24 Feb 2023
Antimicrobial resistance and the role that oral health professionals must play, Dr P Motlokwa, 31 March 2023
Micro economics and application to dentistry, Dr N Rampersad, 28 April 2023
One staff member as been elected on the Scientific Advisory Committee for the National Congress of the South African Dental Association that will be in Cape Town from 25 – 27 August 2023