For you to study to become a a dentist in South Africa, you need to have a specific Grade 10 – 12 subjects combination, which are required by dental schools in South Africa.
So, on this page, I will guide you on what subjects you need to choose exactly in Grade 10, so that you can study to become a dentist one day.
In order to compile information on this page, we looked at the South African six dental schools, offering dentistry courses, which are:
- University of Pretoria (UP) – Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BChD)
- University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) – Bachelor of Dental Science (BDS)
- University of the Western Cape (UWC) – Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BChD), Bachelor of Oral Health (BOH)
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) – Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), Bachelor of Dental Therapy (BDT), Bachelor of Oral Hygiene (BOH)
- Durban University of Technology (DUT) – Bachelor of Health Sciences in Dental Technology
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) – Bachelor of Health Sciences in Dental Technology
On the second section, we will look at what are the common subjects required to study dentistry courses.
List of Subjects Needed to Become a Dentist
Based on all the dentistry schools in South Africa, you will need the following subjects to be able to study towards becoming a dentist in South Africa:
- English Home Language or First Additional Language
- Mathematics
- Physical Sciences
None of any South African universities accept Mathematical Literacy high school subject in their dentistry courses. So, you need to be very good in pure Mathematics subject in order to become a dentist.
Although is not a mandatory subject, Life Sciences is mostly recommended by many dentistry schools such as, Wits, SMU and UWC universities.
Life Orientation is not counted by all universities. It is excluded in the total APS score count for dentistry courses.
In the following sections, we will look at each dentistry school, in order to find out what exactly are the subjects required for each.
Other Requirements
Unlike many other courses at universities, most of the dental courses require learners to visit a dental lab or do a two-days job shadowing with a real dentist. These are not recommendations, they are “requirements”. Hence, a signed proof of job shadowing is needed when you apply for dentistry courses.
This is to ensure that learners know exactly what they are putting themselves into, as the dental profession can be gruelling emotionally for some – pain, blood, screams from patients, (and other things we wouldn’t mention on this page, lol).
List of Subjects Needed to Become a Dentist for Each University
Let’s look at each dentistry school in South Africa, and see what subjects are required to study dentistry courses:
University of Pretoria (UP) – Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BChD)
The University of Pretoria (UP) offers a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BChD), and requires the following subjects from learners who want to become dentists:
- English (HL or FAL): Level 5
- Mathematics: Level 6
- Physical Sciences: Level 5
- APS: 35
- Life Orientation: Excluded from APS
- Note: Apply with final Grade 11 results
University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) – Bachelor of Dental Science (BDS)
The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) offers a Bachelor of Dental Science (BDS), and requires the following subjects from learners who want to become dentists:
- English (HL or FAL): Level 5
- Mathematics: Level 5
- Life Sciences: Level 5
- Physical Sciences: Level 5
- Composite Index (CI): Based on average of 5 subject percentages (60%) + NBT scores (40%)
- NBT: Must be written in-person by 18 August
- Job Shadowing: Minimum 16 hours, must submit certificate (only hours after 1 July 2024 accepted)
University of the Western Cape (UWC) – Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BChD)
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) offers a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BChD), and requires the following subjects from learners who want to become dentists:
- NSC Points: Minimum 40 (UWC system)
- English (HL or FAL): Level 4 (50–59%)
- Another language (HL or FAL): Level 3 (40–49%)
- Mathematics: Level 4 (50–59%)
- Physical Sciences: Level 4 (50–59%)
- Life Sciences: Level 4 (50–59%)
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) – Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
The Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) offers a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), and requires the following subjects from learners who want to become dentists:
- APS: Minimum 37
- Subjects (Minimum Levels):
- English: 5
- Mathematics: 6
- Physical Sciences: 6
- Life Sciences: 6
- Add. Subject 1: 5
- Add. Subject 2: 4
- Life Orientation: 5
Durban University of Technology (DUT) – Bachelor of Health Sciences in Dental Technology
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) offers a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Dental Technology, and requires the following subjects from learners:
- Physical Science and/or Mathematics: Level 3
- OR Maths Literacy: Level 6
- Dental Lab Visit: Mandatory before applying (proof required)
- Registration: Must register with SA Dental Technicians Council
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) – Bachelor of Health Sciences in Dental Technology
The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) offers a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Dental Technology, and requires the following subjects from learners:
- APS: Minimum 33
- English (HL or FAL): Level 4
- Mathematics: Level 4
- Life Sciences: Level 4
- Physical Sciences: Level 4
That’s all. I hope you found this information helpful and accurate.
Thank you and all the best!