Final-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) student, Tshepang Lenkoe, has proudly reintroduced Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) Dental School to the national stage after winning the prestigious 2025 South African Dental Association (SADA) Young Dentist Publisher Undergraduate Research Award.
Lenkoe, who also serves as a class representative and member of the Dental Student Council, chose dentistry to address the pressing need for accessible oral healthcare in South Africa. Growing up, he witnessed countless individuals suffering from oral health problems without access to a dentist. “I wanted to bring change to my community,” he said. “Dentistry offered me the opportunity to provide a direct service that could transform lives.”
His journey through dental school has been far from easy. Balancing demanding clinical duties with student leadership roles required discipline, effective time management, and resilience. “Helping my peers while excelling academically meant structuring my time meticulously. It’s been challenging physically and mentally, but it has taught me patience and the importance of perseverance,” he reflected.
The award-winning research that earned him national recognition was titled Diagnosis and Management of a Cystic Lesion: The Use of CBCT – A Case Report. His study compared the diagnostic accuracy of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) with conventional radiographic imaging. “SMU Dental School handles many head and neck cystic lesions, serving as a primary referral hospital for Gauteng, Limpopo, and North West. My research highlighted CBCT’s superior diagnostic capabilities, showing reduced chances of misdiagnosis compared to traditional methods,” Lenkoe explained.
His findings also carried a broader message: the urgent need for investment in state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to better serve South Africa’s population. While obtaining biopsy results in time posed challenges, the radiographic reports from CBCT enabled him to make a confident diagnosis and compare it to international literature.
Winning the award was a deeply personal achievement. “It was surreal,” he said. “I wanted to make my family proud and represent black students on a national platform. No SMU dental student had attended SADA or participated in the research competition for five years, and no SMU student had won in seven. This victory showed that we can compete at the highest level.”
The experience at the SADA Congress was both inspiring and affirming. An international keynote by Canadian dual specialist Dr David Chvartszaid reinforced Lenkoe’s passion for academic dentistry, while the encouragement of SMU lecturers and research mentors Dr Idah Mmutlana and Dr Ntombizodwa Zwane kept him motivated during research setbacks.
Looking ahead, Lenkoe aims to specialise in prosthodontics and remain active in academic dentistry to train future professionals. He also intends to continue research to contribute to South Africa’s growing body of dental knowledge. His advice to young dentists is simple yet powerful: “Pursue research. It enhances clinical skills, professional competence, and the quality of patient care.”
Through his dedication, Lenkoe has not only earned a national accolade but also reignited SMU’s presence in the dental research arena—an achievement that may inspire a new generation of South African dental scholars.
By Tumelo Moila
