Pretoria - Gauteng MEC for Health and Social Development, Ntombi Mekgwe, has appointed Professor Phumzile Hlongwa as the Dean for the Witwatersrand Dental School and Oral Health Centre in Parktown, Johannesburg.
Hlongwa, from the University of Pretoria's Department of Orthodontics and School of Dentistry, is the first African female to be appointed to this position.
She holds Bachelors degrees in Oral Hygiene and Dental Science as well as a Masters Degree in Orthodontics.
"The appointment of Prof Hlongwa will add to the already existing high level of expertise that we have in Gauteng, as well as assist in the delivery of services in the province," Mekgwe said.
Hlongwa trained for Oral Hygiene at George Mukhari Academic hospital and worked in different hospitals both in the public and private sectors. Before her appointment, she held a post as a Chief Specialist as well as Head of Department of Orthodontics at the University of Pretoria.
Her specialties include Oral Hygiene and Orthodontics. She was a Principal Specialist and Senior Consultant at the Mankweng Hospital Complex, where she was responsible for the development of Orthodontic Treatment Policy for the Limpopo Province, the development of orthodontic surgeries as well as procurement of orthodontic equipments, instruments and consumables at the hospital.
In 1993, while she was still studying, Hlongwa was presented with a Dean's award for the outstanding achievement in her studies. In 2000, she got a three-month scholarship to do research at University of North Carolina in USA.
She has presented papers on orthodontics both locally and internationally at Kuwait, Australia, Italy and USA.
"Her knowledge, skills and years of experience will indeed contribute in providing quality health care to the citizens of Gauteng," MEC Mekgwe added.
