Dentist
Diagnose and treat teeth and gum problems, from fillings and extractions to preventive care.
What the job involves
- Examine teeth, take x-rays and plan treatment.
- Perform fillings, extractions and root canal work.
- Educate patients on oral hygiene and prevention.
School subjects you need
Pure Mathematics required. If you take Mathematical Literacy in Grade 10, this career is normally closed to you at degree level.
- Mathematics
- Physical Sciences
- Life Sciences
- English
- Visual Arts (fine motor and spatial skill helps)
Marks you normally need
- Minimum NSC pass
- Bachelor's pass
- Indicative APS
- Roughly 35–40
- Subject percentages institutions look for
- Mathematics: 60%+
- Physical Sciences: 60%+
- Life Sciences: 60%+
These are indicative ranges for guidance only. Every university, university of technology and TVET college sets its own admission requirements — check the current prospectus of the institution you are applying to.
Study routes
- Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS/BChD)5 years
Followed by one year community service and HPCSA registration.
What you could earn
- Entry level
- R55 000 – R70 000 per month (community service)
- Mid-career
- R70 000 – R110 000 per month
- Senior
- R120 000+ per month in established private practice
Indicative gross monthly ranges from public South African salary sources. They vary by employer, province and experience, and are not guarantees. Compare all careers.
Where you can study this
Public institutions that commonly offer this field. Confirm the exact programme, its minimum APS and the closing date on the institution's own admissions page.
- University of Cape TownUCT · Cape Town
- University of the WitwatersrandWits · Johannesburg
- Stellenbosch UniversitySU · Stellenbosch
- University of PretoriaUP · Pretoria
- University of KwaZulu-NatalUKZN · Durban and Pietermaritzburg
- University of JohannesburgUJ · Johannesburg
- North-West UniversityNWU · Potchefstroom, Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark
- University of the Free StateUFS · Bloemfontein
- University of the Western CapeUWC · Bellville, Cape Town
- Rhodes UniversityRhodes · Makhanda
- Nelson Mandela UniversityNMU · Gqeberha
- University of Fort HareUFH · Alice and East London
- University of LimpopoUL · Mankweng, Polokwane
- University of VendaUniven · Thohoyandou
- University of ZululandUniZulu · KwaDlangezwa, Richards Bay
- Walter Sisulu UniversityWSU · Mthatha, East London, Butterworth, Komani
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences UniversitySMU · Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria
- University of South AfricaUnisa · Distance learning, head office in Pretoria
- Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyCPUT · Cape Town and Bellville
- Durban University of TechnologyDUT · Durban and Pietermaritzburg
- Tshwane University of TechnologyTUT · Pretoria and surrounding campuses
- Central University of TechnologyCUT · Bloemfontein and Welkom
Official sources
Questions learners ask
Isifinyezo / Opsomming
isiZulu: Ukwelapha amazinyo nezinsini. Kudinga iMathematics, iPhysical Sciences neLife Sciences.
Afrikaans: Behandel tande en tandvleis. Suiwer Wiskunde en die wetenskappe is verpligtend.