New Head of the School of Oral Health Sciences appointed
- Wits University
Dr Mbulaheni Simon Nemutandani joins Wits as CEO of the Wits Oral Health Centre and Head of the School of Oral Health Sciences.
Previously Dr Nemutandani was with the University of Limpopo where he was Principle Specialist and Head of Provincial Health Services in Limpopo, responsible for the development of the Dental Specialist Faculty. He joined Wits on 1 September 2016.
A graduate of the University of the Western Cape, Dr Nemutandani holds a Master’s in Public Health (University of Venda), a Master’s Dentistry in the specialty of Community Dentistry (University of Witwatersrand), a Master’s of Science in Medicine in the field of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (University of Witwatersrand), and a PhD in Public Health and Health Systems (University of Pretoria), focusing on the integration of indigenous and western medicines.
He has an extensive track record in public health, playing an instrumental role in the transformation of oral health at the national health level. In collaboration with the National Health Ministry, Dr Nemutandani was responsible for developing the South African Oral Health Strategy. His work in oral health strategies and human resources extends to the Free State, North West and Mpumalanga.
“As a passionate advocate for improved access to oral health care and services, Dr Nemutandani will play a key role in our transformation programme. He will be helping to drive the Faculty’s strategic imperatives to produce pluri-potential Wits oral health professional fit for purpose within the South African context, while propelling our research efforts further. ” says Professor Martin Veller, Dean of Health Sciences.
Dr Nemutandani says: “I am eager to work with the Wits oral health sciences community, tapping into all resources to elevate the School and Centre on the continent and globally. For colleagues, academics, staff, students and alumni to work together to build the capacity and relevance of oral health, as well as creating platforms for life-long learning. Together with the Department of Health and community at large its key that we make quality oral health accessible to all.”