South Africa's universities training Dental Technicians and Technologists have taken legal action against the SADTC, citing examination processes that threaten the future of dental technology education in the country.
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South Africa’s only universities that train dental technicians and technologists have dragged the South African Dental Technicians Council (SADTC) to the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, saying the council’s examination and registration processes are threatening to collapse the profession.
In a joint statement, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Durban University of Technology, and Tshwane University of Technology said years of failed engagements with the South African Dental Technicians Council had forced them to seek legal intervention.
“Discussions with the SADTC on accreditation, assessment, and registration processes have continued since 2019 without resolution,” the universities said.
The institutions warned that no new student intakes had taken place for years, placing the future of dental technology training in South Africa at serious risk. Only five students have graduated from TUT since 2023, representing the entirety of the country's graduate output.
The universities are asking the High Court to overturn what they described as the council’s “unfair and unilaterally imposed current final practical examination framework.” Under the current system, diploma students fail the final practical examination if they fail any one of 112 binary pass-or-fail criteria.
The universities argue that the framework is “not aligned with national or international norms and standards.” The institutions are also seeking an order compelling the SADTC to register 159 “pipeline students” who completed their qualifications before 2022.
“Dental technicians and technologists are essential members of the oral healthcare team. A prolonged shortage will harm public access to dental services,” the universities said.
The institutions defended the quality of their training, saying dental technician work undergoes several layers of professional review before reaching dentists, who carry final responsibility for patient care.
The universities said the court application was aimed at ensuring the sustainable continuation of dental technology programmes and the resumption of student intake. They also called on the Department of Higher Education and Training and the National Department of Health to help secure “a swift, constructive outcome” to protect dental technology education and South Africa’s oral healthcare system.
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