Introduction

Dr Rushdi Hendricks is not only an exceptional Maxillofacial and Oral Surgeon, but also an experienced lecturer at the University of Western. He has been lecturing and training students at UWC’s Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery (MFOS), Faculty of Dentistry for over 18 years. During his 18 tenure as a lecturer, he was involved in the clinical teaching and training of over 350 dental graduates. From 1987 to 1998, he trained students to become Specialist Maxillofacial and Oral Surgeons. Prof. Hendricks is currently teaching and mentoring local undergraduate students at both UWC and UCT.

Dr Rushdi Hendricks is committed to providing quality dental education to students, so they can become well-trained dentists and experts in their field. During his teaching and mentoring activities, his students are given a good foundation in surgery and medicine, and personal skills in patient communication and care.

He is a highly enthusiastic lecturer who is eager to provide all students with a solid education. He has a special talent for bringing the classroom to life with real-world examples and innovative dental technology. Prof. Hendricks has a proven ability for discovering students’ varying learning styles, ensuring each student’s unique academic needs are met. Prof. Hendricks is an encouraging educator who offers plenty of positive reinforcement to maintain a calm and controlled classroom.

Special interests

His areas of interest in didactic teaching / formal lectures include:

  • Anatomy of the head and neck with special reference to Fascial Planes
  • Spread of Infection in the head and neck region
  • Management of sepsis in the head and neck region
  • Trauma and acute management thereof
  • Treatment of polytrauma
  • Management of medical and trauma emergencies
  • Upper airway management
  • Fractures of the facial skeleton
  • Development and Micro-anatomy of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
  • Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology and Surgery of the TMJ apparatus
  • Auto-transplantation of teeth

UWC Committee responsibilities

  • Member: Senate (Faculty representative)
  • Member: Faculty Board
  • Member: Faculty Cluster Heads Committee
  • Member: Faculty Research Committee
  • Member: Faculty Academic Programme Committee
  • Member: Faculty Teaching and Learning Committee
  • Member: Faculty Student Selection Committee
  • Member: Faculty Assessment Committee

UWC Management responsibilities

  • Contribute to the effective management of the Oral Health Centre (OHC) and Faculty of Dentistry, UWC
  • Coordinate undergraduate and postgraduate research in Department MFOS, UWC
  • Coordinate undergraduate programmes in Department MFOS, UWC
  • Coordinate postgraduate programmes in Department MFOS, UWC
  • Attend, participate in and report on academic meetings of OHC and UWC structures