One Religion, Many Cultures - Borneo Talk

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There’s more to good health than dieting and managing disease. Integrative
approachers to improving one’s sense of radiance and beauty is part of the new Centre for
Aesthetic Health at Normah under Dr. Adam C. Miller, consultant surgeon from USA.
At what age should one be before
seeking medical treatment for long
term healthy condition in later age?
Dr. M: This is where public education
becomes so important. Let me offer
some practical suggestions that your
readers may appreciate. I recognise
a great desire among the people of
Sarawak to have a beautiful smile, yet
there is profound dental neglect. Early
intervention with a dentist can help
prevent major long term problems, and
is always less expensive than waiting
until “it gets really bad”. Having said
that, due to recent advances, I am
placing dental implants in 70 and 80
year old patients with great success.
Regarding skin. Untreated acne can
leave devastating, lifelong scars on the
face. Therefore, teenagers with acne
should see a physician like myself. We
know that the natural production of
collagen starts to decline around the
age of 21 years. The early 20’s is an
ideal time to get both women and men
on a preventative skin care regimen,
replace bad teeth and talk about
lifestyle issues. Keeping a young person
from smoking and educating them on
the connection between lifestyle and
beauty is invaluable.
What are the major advantages of
coming to the one stop centre for
treatment when compared to other
private practitioners?
Dr. M: The Centre for Aesthetic Health
has one great advantage. It is based at
a top-notch hospital, Normah Medical
Specialist Centre. We realise that for
many patients, time and convenience
are the main obstacles to achieving
their health goals. Because we have
a neurologist, dietician, physical
therapists, highly trained nurses and
estheticians, radiology, and a sleep lab
there will be no cutting of corners with
patient care. We are positioned to
deliver comprehensive care and superior
results in a convenient manner.
When did you first discover that
this was the medical path you
would be pursuing in life? Was it
what you had anticipated it would
be and would you recommend it to
others?
Dr. M: I started college as an art
major and enjoyed drawing and
sculpting. Even as a child I was called
to art as a way of expression. My
work now feels like more art than
science. I declined offers during
residency to join the dermatology or
plastic surgery fields. Those were
difficult decisions. But, abandoning
my advanced training in sleep apnea
and dental implants just did not settle
well with me. And now, my practice
success has been based on being
able to reconstruct a patient’s mouth,
rejuvenate their face and help them
achieve better sleep. I am putting
both my dental degree and medical
degree to great use everyday. And
patients seem to really appreciate my
practice scope. Many of my dental
implant patients go on to have facial
rejuvenation and sleep analysis. As for
the field of cosmetic surgery, I walk
cautiously and encourage my younger
colleagues to do the same. Maintain
diversity in your practice. Do not
allow your business responsibilities
to compromise your treatment
decisions. By performing dental implant
surgeries, sleep apnea procedures, I
never feel like I must perform a facial
cosmetic surgery. The diversity of my
practice gives me the luxury to be
completely honest and selective with
my cosmetic patients. I urge patients
to be alert to “pressured sales.”
Unfortunately this is common in the
cosmetic surgery industry. I want no
part of that.
Why Sarawak? Of the numerous
places you could have gone to,
coming here must be quite a
sacrifice to you and family. How
do you cope with this and has the
family adapted to this?
Dr. M: Believe me, many people are
asking me this question right now.
You are right. At this time I could go
just about anywhere. My practice in
the US is amazing. I could not ask
for a better staff, more money or a
better schedule of patients. We are
busy, challenged and profitable.
But my response is, “why not Sarawak?”
Malaysia has a huge need for
education and the development of
standards related to cosmetic surgery,
dental implants and sleep. I feel
custom made to respond to these
needs. On a personal note, I love
to travel and plan to explore the
eastern part of the world. The pace
is refreshing; excellent scuba diving is
close and I am a big fan of the food.
Sarawak has a personality that invites
healing of the body and the soul. I
believe that all of this provides a
recipe for success. There is a lack of
equipment, training and understanding
right now, but I am confident in the
people responsible for those parts.
We are creating something currently
not found anywhere else in the world
- The Centre for Aesthetic Health at
Normah.
If you have one major advice to
people here, in terms of health,
what would that be?
Dr. M: In my two months at
Normah, I have observed severe
dental neglect. Infections in teeth
and the jaw bones are known to
cause an increase in heart attacks
and spontaneous abortions. From
a cosmetic standpoint, loss of teeth
and bone cause the face to “fall.” So,
take your oral health more seriously.
There is much more to say, but it will
have to wait for your first appointment
at The Centre for Aesthetic Health.
Thank you so much for this discussion.
I truly enjoyed your questions.
Jul-Sept2009BorneoTalk | 55