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Study Oral Hygiene

Bachelor of Oral Hygiene

Prevent oral disease through patient education, oral-health assessment and permitted preventive treatments.

R46 808 to R90 000 first-year fees

* From Dentistry, the closest field we research.

Study time
3 years at UP
School subjects
Differ by programme: see the examples below
Programme examples

Working abroad 3.5 of 5

From Dentistry, the closest field we research.

Score out of 5. Tap a country for steps and visas.

  1. 4UKExams or bridging · high demand
  2. 4CanadaExams or bridging · high demand
  3. 4AustraliaExams or bridging · high demand
  4. 4New ZealandExams or bridging · high demand
  5. 4UAEExams or bridging · high demand
  6. 3IrelandExams or bridging · some demand
  7. 3NetherlandsMajor requalification · some demand
  8. 3GermanyMajor requalification · some demand
  9. 3USAMajor requalification · some demand

AI outlook

From Dentistry, the closest field we research.

SteadyAI changes little of the daily work

Almost entirely skilled manual work inside a patient’s mouth, under a licence. Among the professions AI changes least in the research.

Hands-on In-person care Licensed & accountable

How AI changes each field

What you study

  • Oral anatomy and disease prevention
  • Patient communication
  • Preventive clinical care
  • Community oral health

Careers

  • Oral hygienist
  • Community oral-health practitioner
  • Preventive dental-care practitioner

Where to study 3

Tap a name for the official page. My Matric Map can check the ones marked “NSC/IEB check” against your results. Compare study costs

Bachelor of Oral Hygiene

University of Pretoria · 2027 intake NSC/IEB check in My Map

First-year tuition (2026): R79 000 to R90 000

Requirements

UP 2027 example: English, Mathematics and Physical Sciences at level 4; APS 25. Selection applies.

Published minimums only. Selection, bachelor admission, any extra requirements and available places still apply. UP selects 25 first-year students a year; first-choice applicants are considered, and second-choice applicants may be considered in certain categories. Applications for 2027 closed on 30 June 2026.

Bachelor of Oral Health Sciences (Oral Hygiene)

University of the Witwatersrand · 2027 intake NSC/IEB check in My Map

First-year tuition (2026): R62 750

Requirements

Wits 2027 example: English Home Language or First Additional Language level 4, Mathematics level 4 or Maths Literacy level 7, and Life Sciences and/or Physical Sciences level 4. No APS: selection uses a Composite Index with the NBT. A job-shadowing certificate is compulsory. 3 years.

No APS is published: Health Sciences selects on a Composite Index of five matric subjects (percentages) and the NBT average, weighted 60% and 40% in the 2027 Guide but 75% and 25% on the Wits course-finder page (Wits publishes both). All applicants must write the NBT in person, by 17 August 2026 for early feedback; a 'Basic' NBT range means no consideration. Applications closed on 30 June 2026. Applicants must also complete a job shadowing certificate of attendance (minimum 16 hours) observing a dentist, dental therapist or oral hygienist; only observation hours completed between 1 July 2025 and 31 July 2026 are accepted, and applicants who fail to submit a certificate are not considered.

Bachelor of Oral Hygiene (KN-W-BON)

University of KwaZulu-Natal · 2027 intake NSC/IEB check in My Map

First-year tuition (2026): R46 808

Requirements

UKZN 2027: APS 30 (Life Orientation excluded) with English and Life Orientation at level 4, and Life Sciences and Mathematics at level 3. 3 years at Westville.

Only first to third CAO choices are considered, and no late applications are considered (closing date 30 September 2026). Meeting the minimums does not guarantee a place: UKZN selects by academic ranking from APS 48 down until the places are filled. Compulsory clinical placements, some outside Durban, are at the student's own cost for travel, accommodation and living. The School of Health Sciences web page lists Life Sciences at Level 4; the 2027 prospectus, the CAO 2027 handbook and College rule CHS SHU 6 give Level 3, so confirm with UKZN.

Your qualification route
  1. Complete a dedicated oral hygiene qualification and clinical training.
  2. Meet the applicable HPCSA registration requirements.
  3. Work in dental teams, community programmes or other settings allowed by the registration category.

Oral hygiene, dental therapy and dentistry have different scopes. This is not a shortened qualification as a dentist.

Sources (2) · guide reviewed 2026-09-25

Career and study guide. Separate salary, AI and country-recognition comparisons have not yet been researched for this field.

General information, not immigration or legal advice. Researched 2026-10-10.