Having emotionally supportive parents is a privilege, but also having ones who shape your path is truly remarkable. For Dr. Siphesihle Mpungose, that guiding influence came from his mother, Thokozile Mpungose. It was instrumental in leading him to become a periodontist and the founder of both Uthotho Implants and Periodontics and Uthotho Implants Academy.
Growing up in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpungose was surrounded by a family deeply rooted in academics.
His father, Mandla Mpungose, a retired school principal, and his mother, Thokozile Mpungose, a retired nurse, played a huge role in shaping the person he is today.
Alongside his two siblings, he grew up in a household where education and discipline were valued. Thokozile’s commitment to hygiene went beyond simply keeping her children neat – it was a way of life.
Lessons from home
Growing up in a bustling township, Mpungose recalls how easy it was for young people to fall into the trap of drugs and alcohol. But he was fortunate to have been guided in a way that kept him off the streets.
At the age of 13, he left home to attend Siyamukela High School, a boarding school in Newcastle.
Although the new environment felt intimidating at first, he persevered and made it to matric.
“The boarding school played a crucial role in shaping my resilience and the way I approach life as an adult.”
“During school holidays, one of the first things my mother did when I arrived home was take me to the dentist for a routine check-up, without fail.”
That’s when Mpungose’s love for the profession was instilled in him, leading him to study dentistry. He recalls seeing the dentist his mother used to take him to, dressed in the white safari-style coat that was common among doctors at the time.
“I wanted to look just like him. I must have spoken about this so often that the idea of becoming a dentist became ingrained in my mind.”
Mpungose says his mother always prioritised healthcare, including oral health, a value she continues to instil in her grandchildren today.
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Finding his path in dentistry
In high school, dentistry was the only option he seriously considered. After completing matric in 1998, he was accepted into the University of the Western Cape for a BSc in physical sciences, as dentistry at the time required students to first complete at least a BSc.
“I later qualified as a dentist in 2004 and returned to my hometown to complete my community service.”
He adds that choosing dentistry felt like a natural choice rather than just a career option.
“As a dental student, I excelled in maxillofacial surgery and prosthodontics, both in theory and clinical practice.”
His hard work earned him recognition from lecturers and clinical supervisors, who saw his passion and skill in these fields.
“I was drawn to surgery, but at the same time, I found great fulfilment in restorative and prosthodontic treatments, especially the instant transformation that came with giving patients a new smile,” he says.
After completing community service, he opened a dental practice in Newcastle. However, after seven years in private practice, he says he felt a big void.
“Around that time, dental implantology was emerging as an exciting yet intimidating field for many dentists.
“What intrigued me most was that it combined both surgery and prosthodontics, the very aspects of dentistry I had always loved.”
At the time, he notes, there was only one black periodontist – a woman – in the country. “I later became the first black male periodontist in South Africa.”
Redefining oral health
In Mzansi, periodontology is essentially two specialities in one, making it unique compared to other countries, explains Mpungose.
“As periodontists, we are trained in three key areas: periodontology, implantology, and oral medicine. This allows us to manage a wide range of conditions, from periodontal diseases and complex implant surgeries to the diagnosis and treatment of oral soft tissue disorders.”
He adds that what fulfils him is the dynamic and multifaceted nature of the speciality.
“We treat everything from common mouth ulcers to HIV-related oral manifestations, immune-mediated disorders, and oral cancers.”
Mpungose notes that one major issue, especially with Gen Z, is how they often overlook the long-term impact of poor oral hygiene. Skipping flossing and regular dental check-ups can lead to gum disease.
“Many also take lightly the effects of vaping and energy drinks, both of which can silently damage teeth and gums over time.”
Mpungose runs Uthotho Implants & Periodontics, based in Sandton, Gauteng. He is also the founder of Uthotho Implants Academy, where he teaches general dentists how to correctly place basic dental implants.
He is also the head of the clinical unit in oral medicine and periodontology at Wits University, where he teaches undergraduate students and trains new specialists.
He notes that he is exactly where he envisioned himself, living his answered prayer having worked hard to achieve everything he has today.
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