Community Dentistry

Community Dentistry is an academic unit within the University of the Witwatersrand, a public university in Johannesburg, South Africa, established in 1922. The department advances population based oral health through teaching, research, and community engagement, with a strong regional footprint across Southern and East Africa.

Its research centers on oral health equity, access to services, and prevention. Studies address oral health knowledge, quality of life among people living with HIV, challenges in service delivery, and the role of community health workers and digital tools in expanding care. Work on special needs populations and Down syndrome highlights a commitment to inclusion.

Key strengths include community oriented methodologies, mixed methods evaluation, and policy relevant scholarship. Contributions emphasize integrating oral health into primary care, strengthening workforce capacity, and leveraging mobile health innovations. The department plays a leading role in shaping responsive, socially accountable oral health systems in low resource settings.