Faculty of Health Sciences

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An assessment of the Somatology extended curriculum programme at the Durban University of Technology
(2019-09-05) Makgobole, Mokgadi Ursula; Bass, Gregory Hylton; Puckree, Lina
Since the beginning of democracy in South Africa post 1994, the debate in South African Higher Education has progressed from, initially, increasing disadvantaged student access to higher education to improving student success and improving throughout rates and high attrition amongst the previously disadvantaged students. In order to increase access of students from disadvantaged educational backgrounds and improve success in higher education, institutions have introduced additional programmes such as Extended Curriculum Programmes (ECP). The ECP is an alternative curriculum structure that creates the space needed to equip underprepared students with skills to assist them to succeed in higher education. The Somatology programme at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) introduced the ECP in 2005. However, there is limited published research on the impact of the ECP in the Somatology programme since its inception. Using a mixed convergent parallel design, and following a post-positivist paradigm, this dissertation aimed to assess the impact of the Somatology ECP on students’ throughput, success and dropout rates and to understand the general satisfaction of the students placed in the ECP with being placed in the ECP. In order to establish quantitative data, a retrospective analysis of the student records of all students that had been registered at the Somatology programme at the Durban University of Technology for the period 2005 to 2013 was sourced from DUT’s Institutional Management Information System (MIS). The throughput and dropout rates were analysed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and t-test. The data obtained is valid as access to the MIS system is restricted and only authorised DUT staff have access to MIS data. In contrast, the qualitative phase prospectively focus on students who graduated from the Somatology programme via the ECP. A simple random sampling technique was used to select a total of 15 participants who were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. The qualitative data generated was analysed using thematic content analysis. The quantitative analysis found that there was a marked improvement in the throughput rate of students who enrolled via the ECP programme. However, no significant difference was recorded in the throughput (P>0.05) and dropout rates (P>0.05) of the ECP when compared with the mainstream cohort (P>0.05) over the period under study. In addition, the overall success rate of the ECP cohort were comparable to that of the mainstream (P>0.05) showing that the interventions delivered on the ECP were successful for students entering the Somatology programme considered underprepared for higher education. In probing the factors that had influenced the improved throughput rate, a key finding from the qualitative analyses was that participating students attributed their ultimate success to the additional interventions given in the ECP. The ECP students felt they were at an advantage when it came to assessments compared to mainstream. In light of the study findings, this dissertation found that the Somatology ECP was a successful programme as there was an improvement in the academic success of the students in terms of their throughput and dropout rates of the cohort studied.
Corporate social responsibility in the dental technology industry in KwaZulu-Natal
(2015-03-06) Zondi, Minenhle Promise Phamela; Bass, Gregory Hylton; Ross, Ashley Hilton Adrian
This study investigated how corporate social responsibility (CSR) is understood within the KwaZulu-Natal dental technology industry, as an indication of the position of the industry nationally. The objectives of this study were to provide clarity regarding how the members of the dental technology industry in KwaZulu-Natal perceive CSR, to determine what is being practised in terms of CSR, and to provide possible insights into how the dental technology industry in KwaZulu-Natal might understand and consider CSR principles going into the future. This is a qualitative study conducted in the interpretive paradigm. The conceptual framework utilised for the study was Carroll’s CSR pyramid (1991) which was reviewed by Ferrell et al. (2010). For the purpose of this study CSR was understood to encompass the economic, legal and ethical aspects of running a business. It further extended into an understanding of philanthropy that goes beyond the primary purpose of a business. Simple random sampling was used to select participants for individual semi-structured interviews. The data collected was analysed using thematic content analysis. This study found that CSR is an unfamiliar term amongst dental laboratory owners and dental technicians. Dental laboratory owners and technicians failed to understand that CSR involves not only the basic aspects of running a business which are economic advancement but also compliance with legislation and ethics considerations. This study found that the poor understanding of CSR by dental laboratory owners and dental technicians stems from a poor understanding of basic business principles as was revealed in reported practices of the industry participants that lacked business ethical consideration. The perceived lack of participation in the industry by the South African Dental Technicians Council was seen to be a contributing factor to unethical behaviour within the industry. A degree of localised philanthropy was found to be practised by some in the industry. However, such practice was not generally accepted as a norm and that the industry should necessarily take cognisance of. The results generated by this study indicate that the dental technology industry’s lack of knowledge and understanding of CSR are such that industry should be informed and educated in CSR practices and that a coordinated approach to CSR practice by the industry is needed.
Dental laboratory waste management in respect of reusing and recycling in KwaZulu-Natal
(2018) Ngombane, Yonela; Bass, Gregory Hylton; Ross, Ashley Hilton Adrian
This qualitative study explored the management of waste in commercial and training dental laboratories in order to determine the practices and attitudes of dental technology practitioners and academics towards reusing and recycling dental laboratory waste products, and alert them to the benefits of waste management on the environment. The research objectives were to establish and report on the extent of waste management that entails waste reduction through reusing and recycling, to uncover alternative uses for dental laboratory waste and the possible economic benefits thereof and to influence dental technology industry on environmental sustainability. The research project was conducted in the interpretive paradigm. In the course of this study dental laboratory owners, dental technicians/technologists and academics from the dental technology programme at a training institution were interviewed. Waste handling in dental laboratories was observed in order to gain greater insight as to current practices in laboratories. Thematic content analysis was employed to analyse the qualitative data. This study found that waste management was poorly understood and practiced amongst the dental laboratory owners, dental technicians/technologists and academics. The study adopted a waste management hierarchy conceptual framework which was influenced by the Waste Act (Act No. 59 of 2008). The negative attitudes towards responsible waste management practices and the poor understanding of waste management by dental laboratory owners, dental technicians/technologists were found to be as a result of the poor understanding of the possible impact that waste from dental laboratories can impose on the environment. The perceived lack of participation in constructive waste management legislation by the South African Dental Technicians Council was also seen to be a contributing factor to the negative attitudes towards responsible waste management practices within the industry. This finding reinforced the finding that the dental industry has no knowledge, understanding and desire to understand waste management and, more importantly, to understand that one does not practice things solely for legislative reasons but that there are economic as well as environmental reasons to practice constructive waste management. On the other hand, this study found that the industry was not averse to engaging in environmental friendly practices provided there is financial gain. This was established after the benefits of waste management practices were explained to the industry.
The factors associated with student recruitment and student profiles in Dental Technology at a University of Technology
(2017) Dlamini, Philiswa Charity,; Sunder, Roshnee; Bass, Gregory Hylton; Puckree, Threethambal
With the transformation in Higher Education (HE), the number of Black African students entering South African universities increased significantly (72%). Black African students accounted for 77.38% of the total student population at Durban University of Technology (DUT). It has been noted that the majority Black African students in HE are first-generation students, many are under-prepared, and come from low-socioeconomic backgrounds. Students from this racial group tend to make incorrect career choices due to a lack of knowledge, experience, and adequate vocational guidance and career counselling. To add to this, many University of Technology programmes, such as Dental Technology, are vocational in nature and prepare students for unfamiliar industries. The aim of this study is to determine the factors associated with student recruitment practices and student profiles in the Dental Technology programme at the DUT. This cross-sectional study employed a mixed method approach. An online survey recruited Dental Technology students who entered the programme from 2008 to 2012. The students’ demographic information was retrieved from the Management Information System (MIS) Department. The survey generated categorical data, which was analysed using the SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) which included frequencies, cross-tabulation, Chi-Square test, and Spearman's Rank Order Correlation. Semi-structured interviews with Dental Technology lecturers and the staff involved in student recruitment practices generated qualitative data which was analysed using QSR NVIVO 10. Common themes were classified and discussed. The findings showed that 75% of Dental Technology students were Black African. Only 28% came from urban areas and 81.4% of students attended government schools. Furthermore, 60% relied on financial aid for the payment of their tuition fees. Two categories of necessary attributes emerged i.e. general attributes for an HE student (intrinsic qualities e.g. passion, positive attitude) and the practice specific attributes for Dental Technology (e.g. good eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity). However, the academic staff indicated that the programme is not attracting its desired students. Added to this, is the fact that from the 2008 – 2012 initial intake of 157 students, 41% dropped out of the programme. According to Dental Technology staff, there are no programme-specific student recruitment practices, and they rely on the institutional recruitment practices. However, qualitative findings showed that the DUT employs a generic approach which includes branding and direct promotion with academic departments only minimally involved, reducing the likelihood of effectively recruiting desired students for specific academic programmes such as Dental Technology. About 83% of students indicated that they had not been exposed to any of the DUT’s recruitment practices while they were still in high school. With these findings, it can be concluded that the association between the profiles of the student participants and the current student recruitment practices in the Dental Technology programme is incongruent and weak. In essence when students are recruited to enrol in academic programmes in an institution there needs to be a strong relationship between academic departments and the staff members responsible for recruiting students as the academic staff members are better able to clearly explain the intricacies of their respective programmes and they have an accurate understanding of their desired students. The student recruitment personnel are equipped to sell or market the institution and its offerings to prospective students, but there is clearly a need for the Dental Technology programme to pay more attention to the manner in which their students are recruited and retained. This will help to improve the programme's pass rates and dropout rates while addressing the issues of access, equity, diversity.
An investigation into Dental Technology lecturers' discourses of academic identity formation within the emergence of Universities of Technology in South Africa
(2017) Gumbi, Thobani Linton; McKenna, Sioux; Bass, Gregory Hylton
Post-apartheid restructuring of the South African Higher Education system has brought about significant changes. Institutions of Higher Learning have implemented minor and major changes in their objectives, delivery of knowledge, functions, accreditations and overall outcomes (Du Pre 2006, Reddy 2006, Department of Education 1997). One of the more significant transitions within South Africa’s Higher Education landscape has been the conversion of technikons into universities of technology (UoTs) (Powell & McKenna 2006). This thesis investigates the discourses of academics within a university of technology, exploring their responses to and constructions of institutional shifts. The study has an ontological focus in that it is interested in the ‘being’ of Dental Technology academics. It is interested in the discursive constructions not only of themselves as academics, but also of their work in this changed institutional context. By conducting interviews with the Dental Technology academics lecturing in universities of technology in South Africa, it was the intention to explore these academics’ discourses on institutional shifts. Adopting discourse analysis as the primary method of data analysis enabled the exploration of how academics constructed the notion of academic identity, how they discursively constructed students and knowledge, as well as other core issues related to their work.
The outsourcing of dental prostheses in Gauteng
(2013-01-18) Pillay, Thirusha; Bass, Gregory Hylton; Harrison, J. E.
This study examined the perceptions of South African dental laboratory owners, dental technicians and dentists so as to understand their opinions and experiences regarding the outsourcing of dental prostheses in the industry. The study explored the legislative position of the South African Dental Technicians Council (SADTC). In addition, the study sought the Dental Technicians Association of South Africa (DENTASA) opinion regarding legislation and outsourcing practices in the dental laboratory industry. This is a post-positivist qualitative study conducted in the interpretive paradigm. The study was conducted in Gauteng as this province has the greatest concentration of technicians and dentists. Simple random sampling was used to select participants for individual semi-structured interviews. Interviews were conducted with three different groups of participants – laboratory owners, technicians and dentists. In addition, a representative of the SADTC and DENTASA, respectively, was interviewed. The data collected from interviews was analysed using thematic content analysis. Findings generated from the study revealed that where dental laboratory services are outsourced, no formal contractual relationship exists between parties. Contracts are verbal. The study concluded that the dental technology industry does not operate within clearly defined legal frameworks when outsourcing. It was established that offshore outsourcing occurs infrequently, therefore having minimal impact on the industry and labour market. Technicians interviewed failed to see the potential negative influence that enhanced outsourcing volumes could have on the labour market. The study established that domestic outsourcing is widely practised and dental laboratories receive significant quantities of imported work. The study briefly considered medical device legislation as the South African dental technician industry is reported to be required to comply with the International Standard of Operation (ISO 13485) which will legislate medical device legislation. Dentists stated, confirming a widely held dental technology industry belief that they did not believe that they were sufficiently qualified to carry out laboratory procedures. The study revealed that technicians regularly consult with patients with the consent of dentists. This is, currently, an illegal practice. Disclosure of who is doing the laboratory work does not always occur. It was established that economic consideration was not a driver when respondents considered outsourcing offshore. Quality was considered a more important factor than price. The study found that that no legislation exists in South Africa that regulates the dental laboratory materials used. Therefore, the possibility of inferior material filtering the South African market is real and the need for a regulatory body is indicated. Technicians felt that there is no need to regulate outsourcing in South Africa. Dentists, on the other hand, were ambivalent. In conclusion, it is postulated that dental technology industry is in a developmental stage and there is a need for the industry to understand itself better. This research showed that the dental technology industry has an inexperienced understanding of business practices. A greater emphasis on producing a well rounded dental technician with the knowledge and understanding of general business concepts and practices which include legislation, regulations and ethics related to the industry is indicated.
Perceptions of the professionalization of dental technology
(2010) Skea, Denise Angela; Bass, Gregory Hylton; Young, Karin
This study investigates the perceptions of dentists, dental technicians and dental patients with regard to the professionalization of dental technology as it is currently constituted in South Africa. The origin of dental technology worldwide lies in a trade and has historically been performed by craftsmen under the instruction of dentists. In South Africa during the early 1900s dental technology was practised in much the same way but the need for formalization of this field had been recognised. By 1945 dental technology was regulated by the Dental Mechanicians Board, which enabled only registered technicians to practise dental technology within South Africa. This field continues to be practised similarly at present. In order to establish the professional development of dental technology it is necessary to consider this field within a framework of desired professional attributes. This framework is provided by Greenwood (1957), who defines a profession by the following five attributes: systematic theory, professional authority, community sanction, ethical codes and a professional culture. Owing to the varied implementation and regulation of dental technology worldwide, little research into the professionalization of this field has been conducted to date. For the purpose of this study, dentists, dental technicians and dental patients in KwaZulu-Natal were interviewed in semi-structured interviews. The main themes emerging from this study were identified and considered with reference to the framework within which this study has been positioned. This study concludes that dental technology, as it is currently constituted in South Africa is perceived to be a profession by dentists, dental technicians and dental patients. .The term profession, however, is poorly understood by all three sample groups. Despite being considered a profession, dental technology is not considered to encompass all the attributes of a profession. Dental technology is therefore identified as a developing profession that positions this field somewhere along the professionalization continuum between a profession and a business.
Perceptions of Zambian dentists and dental technicians in respect of dental technical services
(2010) Mukena, Martha Mutinta; Bass, Gregory Hylton; Gwele, Nomthandazo S.
This study is an evaluation of the perceptions of Zambian dental technicians and dentists of the dental technological services offered in Zambia. Zambia is a small nation (land size of 752,614km²) with a population of approximately 11,000,000. Patients needing oral restorative treatment have two options available to them; they seek treatment in state hospitals or through private practices. Access to prosthetic treatment is difficult due to the difficulties associated with obtaining treatment from the state as well as there being very few privately owned dental laboratories. Dental technology in Zambia dates back to 1964 and since its inception there has been no evaluation as to whether the services offered are adequate and satisfactory. The aim of this study was to;  Provide insights into the understanding of dentists and technicians regarding dental technical services.  Provide insights into available dental technical services with the aim of assisting in developing future guidelines for provision of such services in Zambia.  Identify national oral health objectives and make suggestions for the improvement and development of the services in Zambia. This aims of the research are relevant as the research was conducted at a time when the nation is undergoing a general introspection of service delivery. Data was collected through the medium of semi-structured personal interviews with registered and practicing dentists and technicians in the main cities of Zambia that include Lusaka, Ndola and Kitwe. Their views were transcribed and coded according to significant themes that emerged for data analysis. ii The results indicate that there is reason to be concerned about the general quality of service delivery. In addition, the study showed that the working relationships between technicians and dentists require improvement. Moreover, the study established that Zambia has a critical shortage of skilled technicians and particularly ceramic technicians and ceramic dental laboratories. The data also revealed concerns that little attention by government policymakers is being afforded to dental technical services whilst attention is paid rather to clinical dental services. As a result, state owned laboratories suffer from a lack of adequate and functioning equipment as well as a lack of quality dental materials. Finally, the study showed that Zambia has no clear direct oral health policies that govern the dental technical services.