Dental Surgeon - Singapore Dental Association

TheDENTALSurgeonMArch 2011Inside:• Operation Smile in Dhaka• Acupuncture as aGraduate Diploma• Prostho Post GradsAbroad• Macarons you’lldie forMICA (P) : 234/09/2010

The dSteamEditorial Team:Dr Kenny Poh, ConvenorDr Kelvin Chye, Editor in ChiefDr Seow Yian San, Editor in ChiefEditors:Dr Michael Lim (Lifestyle)Dr Gerald PweeDr Yeo Jing TingDr Edwin GohDr Christine LeeDr Selvajothi VeerasamyDr Ivan Koh (Layout)SDA Council 2010/2012President:Dr Goh Kong Hui PhilipVice President:Dr Heng Chia Kian EdwinHon. Gen. Secretary:Dr Poh Choon Chiow KennyAsst. Hon. Gen. Sec.:Dr Ang Hwee Quan SusanHon. Treasurer:Dr Chang Kok MengMembers:Dr Chye Chuan Hee KelvinDr Kuan Chee KeongDr Mah Kuan Seet MichaelDr Seow Yian SanDr Tang PanmeiEditor’s noteWelcome to the 1st Issue of Dental Surgeon for 2011! Wehope to bring you a vibrant issue of Dental Surgeon that promisesto be both engaging and reader-friendly.Apart from our new layout and Upsize! publication, look outfor more articles that explore the working life of our fellow dentalcolleagues both locally and overseas.In this issue, we have the honour of interviewing Dr Tan PengHui and gain insight into the exciting military dental career aswell as his work and contribution in Forensic Dentistry which hewas recently given an award from MOH.Read about our special lifestyle editor, Dr Michael Lim’s culinaryexperience in the City of Lights. In addition, understand theinfluence of the Parisian pastry – macaron, to the Japanese culturefrom our aspiring pâtissier, Dr Jonathan Liu.We thank all our contributors for this issue of Dental Surgeon,and all who have helped in one way or another. If you wouldalso like to help out or contribute to the making of our very ownSDA in-house magazine, do not hesitate anymore! Send us yourrequest and join our team of dedicated volunteers!And FINALLY, but not in anyway the least, we would like tocongratulate Dr Ong Hoe Boon for winning the OSIM massagerin December 2010’s lucky draw!Dr Kelvin Chye & Dr Seow Yian SanEditors-In-ChargeSingapore Dental Association2 College RoadLevel 2 Alumni Medical CentreSingapore 169850Tel : (+65) 6220 2588Fax : (+65) 6224 7967Email : admin@sda.org.sgAdvertising/Sponsorship Enquiries:The dentalSURGEON is the official newsletter of the SingaporeDental Association and is mailed to all members thrice yearly.To find out how you can see this newsletter maximise your advertisingbudget and reach a specially targeted audience, pleasecontact us at the above address for more information.

March 2011 IssueCONTENTSReport7. SDA Social Responsibility Project - Adopted Charity (Society for the Aged Sick)8. SDA Social Responsibility Project - Conference Bags for the Disadvantaged10. Welfare Committee - Year End Thank You Dinner 2010Education11. CDE Calendar12. Oral Health TherapistsProstho Post Grads Abroad15. University of Maryland16. University of Texas17. University of IowaInsight18. Interview with COL (DR) Tan Peng HuiVolunteers’ Corner21. Operation Smile in DhakaFeature22. Graduate Diploma in AcupunctureLifestyle24. Macarons in Japan26. Culinary Adventures in the City of LightsCover Photo by Edmund Koh (http://momentsbyedmund.blogspot.com/)DentalSURGEONPrinted by Lian Ho PressMICA (P) 234/09/2010Articles published express the viewpoints of the authors, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial team & publisher of the publication.All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced either in part or full without the consent of the copyright owners

ReportSocial ResponsibilitySociety for the AgedSickAs part of SDA’s continual effort to lend a hand to the less fortunate,and make a positive contribution to the social environment, we haveadopted The Society for the Aged Sick for the next 2 years.Health—which makes up the bulkof funding—The Society also relyon other sources of income includingannual residents’ fees anddonations of cash or kind from thepublic. As one can imagine, theseare not close to what they wouldneed to cover their expenditure.▲Society for the Aged Sick is a non-profit organization that aims toprovide quality care to the elderly so that they can lead a meaningfuland enriching life in the last leg of their journey.They have a total of 244 beds, offering residential care for the destituteand aged sick. Their vision is to add years of quality life to theelderly in their care, The Society for the Aged Sick started as a WelfareHome with 16 beds by founder Ms Teresa Hsu. As the number ofresidents increased over the years, the Home was shifted to a 3-storeybuilding at the current location of 130 Hougang Avenue 1 in 1991 with acapacity of 192 beds. By 2006, an additional 4th storey was constructed,bringing the bed capacity to 244.The Singapore Dental Associationwould like to invite our membersto extend our helping handto them! If you are interested infinding out more about how youcan help The Society of The AgedSick, please contact the SDA Officeat 6220 2558. ☤Dr Kelvin ChyeCurrently, the Society houses 240 residents, mostly aged between 70to 80 years old. They hail from low-income families and are referred tothe Society by social workers from public healthcare institutions forcare. The majority of these residents are wheelchair-bound or bedridden,and suffer from multiple medical problems like stroke, kidney problems,cancer, psychiatric and mental conditions.Needless to say, an organization that provides quality care to elderlywith critical illnesses requires a substantial amount of funding to runits daily operations. Besides receiving subsidies from the Ministry ofTheDENTALSurgeon7

ReportSocial ResponsibilityFate of theConference BagI was spring-cleaning my house in preparation for the ChineseNew Year when lo and behold, a pile of conference bags inan array of colours, style and sizes greeted me in the dark cornerof my storeroom.How did I accumulate so many? Did I really attend so manyconferences, seminars? Of course, I am proud of this, a testamentto my efforts to continually upgrade myself academically. But asI sorted through these bags and sent most of them to the junk bin,I recalled some photos Dr Myra Elliott sent me some months ago.In 2009 when SDA hosted the FDI Annual World Dental Congress,surplus conference bags were donated to various charities.Some of these bags became the pride and joy of needy schoolchildren in lesser developed countries!As a firm advocate for the 3 R’s–Recycle, Reduce and Reuse--I decided to spearhead a project to “recycle” these conferencebags. As part of SDA’s Conference Management Committee initiative, a collection point for unused bags will be set up at all majorSDA events. These bags will then be gathered and donated to various charities.So look out for these collection points at the upcoming SDA Convention 2011 and IDEM 2012! ☤Dr Lim LiiPhotographs by Dr Myra ElliotTheDENTAL8Surgeon

Calling All Avid Photographers!The Dental Surgeon Team is planning to put up a lifestyle/specialinterest page on photography and islooking for contributors to the article.If you have a particular interest in photography (outsideof taking photos of your patients), we invite youto write in/email/call the SDA offi ce and join the DentalSurgeon as a columnist.Here are the details!Singapore Dental Association2 College RoadLevel 2 Alumni Medical CentreSingapore 169850Tel : (+65) 6220 2588Fax : (+65) 6224 7967Email : admin@sda.org.sgTheDENTALSurgeon9

ReportWelfare CommThank You Dinner 20102010 has been an exciting yearfor the Singaporean dental fraternitywith events such as IDEM(Singapore) and AGM 2010/2011.Every year, hardworking volunteersand staff who make SDA‘tick’, gather to celebrate the year.The annual gathering serves torecognize the efforts of each andevery individual who has contributedto the achievements of SDAduring any given year.After much deliberation, thewelfare committee was tasked toorganize the SDA Thank You Dinnerin 2010 chose to host the eventat the Grand Hyatt Singapore. Thehotel’s poolside restaurant Oasis,nestled amid lush greenery and serene tranquilitywas given the thumbs-up. The restaurant serves aBBQ buffet dinner inclusive of free flow beer, wineand soft drink. Skilled chefs prepared the meat andseafood on the open charcoal-fire grills, much to thedelight of our attendees. The event saw a gatheringof volunteers, SDA staff, sponsors and friends ofSDA. As the evening proceeded, the guests indulgedthemselves in the great company of friends, colleaguesand great food. Goodie bags were given toall present, courtesy of our generous sponsors.Even though a slight downpour caused someinconvenience, the rain did not dampen the spiritsof our guests. Younger members of the volunteercommunity mingled with veteran members, demonstratingthe true spirit of fraternity beyond ages.Members of the newly-appointed council, includingthe President Dr Philip Goh, also went to all the tablesto personally offer thanks to the volunteers fortheir hard work and dedication. As the evening drewto a close, the smiles and laughter of the guests, coupledwith the wafting aroma of the sumptuous food,marked the end of another successful Thank YouDinner.On behalf of the SDA council, we would like tothank everyone who contributed to the success of SDA. Let’s look forward to Thank You Dinner 2011! ☤Dr Xander ChuaTheDENTAL10Surgeon

EducationCDE CalendarDate Topic Venue Contact7 Apr 2011 Orofacial Lacerations: When Is The Optimal Time for Repairand Postoperative Care of LacerationsTraining Room Lv 8, National Dental Centre Rose Seo 63248817oms@ndc.com.sg10 Apr 2011 9th NUS-SDA Distinguished Speaker Program Sheraton Towers Singapore CDE Administrator 62202588cde@sda.org.sg17 Apr 2011 Basic Cardiac Life Support (Certifi cation) Course Red Cross House, 15, Penang Lane, Level 3 RCTC,Singapore 238486CDE Administrator 62202588cde@sda.org.sg19 Apr 2011 Surgical Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Seminar Room, Level 2, Mount Elizabeth Hospital Hwi Ling 67312021hl_wee@parkway.sg28 - 29 Apr 2011 2-Days Intensive Implant Course 132 East Coast Road Singapore 428817 Cindy Chan / Josephine Lim64407321le.mints.dental@gmail.com10 May 2011 When Does Periodontics End and Implant Dentistry Begins Seminar Room, Level 2, Mount Elizabeth Hospital Hwi Ling 67312021hl_wee@parkway.sg13 - 15 May 2011 3rd Implant Symposium Kent Ridge Guild House Ms Devi 65356113info@cgdp.org.sg27 May 2011 Wisdom Tooth Management Course 132 East Coast Road Singapore 428817 Cindy Chan / Josephine Lim64407321le.mints.dental@gmail.com29 May 2011 Basic Cardiac Life Support (Certifi cation) Course Red Cross House, 15, Penang Lane, Level 3 RCTC,Singapore 238486CDE Administrator 62202588cde@sda.org.sg29 May 2011 15th NUS Clinical Dentistry Symposium Lt 28, National University of Singapore Suriani Binte Rabu 67725258densr@nus.edu.sgCynthia Tay 67725343dentmlc@nus.edu.sgThe above is a Continuing Dental Education (CDE) Calendar, from April 2011 to May 2011. Before attending any of these CDE activities, please confi rm event details with the respectivecourse organisers.Information is correct at the time of printing.TheDENTALSurgeon11

EducationMOH ReportOral Health TherapistsA Review of the Different Categories of Oral Health Therapists and Their PermittedClinical FunctionsIntroductionThe dental profession in Singapore should be familiar with the allied members of our profession, also known as professionscomplementary to dentistry (PCDs). For example, I still remember the aura of the disinfectant that lingered around the dental clinicin my primary school and recall (with some trepidation) waiting next in line for my exfoliating baby teeth to be extracted by thedental therapist, known colloquially as the ‘school dental nurse’. Of course, my experience with the ‘school dental nurse’ was notalways a negative one; dental health education talks together with regular tooth brushing sessions supervised by the ‘nurse’ wereone of my earliest recollections of applied preventive dentistry. Perhaps among those of us, who grew up locally, an experience withthe ‘school dental nurse’ was our first dental experience and what inspired us to enter the dental profession.Modern dentistry has evolved to an extent that dentists can no longer afford to work in a silo but would need to work withPCDs as an oral healthcare team. The concept of a team approach to providing care is desirable and long overdue in our profession(compared with our medical colleagues with their array of allied healthcare professionals). By referring a considerable proportionof primary level care tasks that are fairly routine and basic to Oral Health Therapists, leaves dentists to “focus on more complextreatment” (Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan, July 2007) that only dentists are trained to perform.A team can only function effectively and properly, if every team member understands their prescribe role(s) (to borrow an analogyfrom soccer – goalie, defender, mid-fielder, coach, etc) and boundaries (the so-called ‘rules of the game’). This timely articlewould therefore review the different categories of Oral Health Therapists (OHTs) registered with the Singapore Dental Council(SDC) and their respective clinical functions permitted by law.Categories of OHTs Registered with the SDC(A) Dental Hygienists help patients develop good oral health habits and manage simplegum problems of patients of all ages. Common procedures performed by hygienists include scaling,polishing, placement of dental sealants, administration of fluoride and providing instructionsfor oral hygiene. Dental hygienists currently registered in Singapore are trained abroad and mustpossess qualifications recognized by the SDC.(B) Dental Therapists provide basic dental services such as scaling, polishing, fillings and simple extractions of primary teethto school-going patients 18 years of age or younger. Locally trained dental therapists hold a Certificate in Dental Therapy (a 3 yearprogramme) that was awarded by the Health Promotion Board up until 2002.(C) Oral Health Therapists are dually qualified to practice both disciplines of dental hygiene and dental therapy and are registeredwith the SDC under the category of dental therapists/hygienists. Nanyang Polytechnic has been operating a 3 year Diploma inDental Hygiene and Therapy since 2003, where clinical training is conducted at the Health Promotion Board and National DentalCentre. The graduates of the program are dually qualified to practice as Dental Therapists as well as Dental Hygienists. This is theonly OHT training programme in Singapore.Permitted Clinical Functions of OHTsAll Oral Health Therapists must work under the direct supervision of a dentist registered with the Division 1 of the SDC DentistRegister for at least 5 years. After the mandatory period of 5 years, direct supervision is not required but they must still work in collaborationwith a Division 1 dentist (i.e. the dentist refers the patient to the OHT). In other words, all OHTs can only treat patientsunder the written prescription of a Division 1 registered dentist and are not legally permitted to carry out diagnoses and treatmentplanning or treat patients on a walk-in basis; unless they are employed by the public sector (Dental Registration Act, Chapter 76).TheDENTAL12Surgeon

EducationMOH ReportThe permitted clinical functions that can be carried out by the different categories of OHTs are listed below:(A) Dental Hygienists1) Cleaning and polishing of teeth2) Scaling of teeth3) Root planing of teeth4) Application to the teeth of solutions of sodium or stannous fluoride or such other similar prophylactic solutions as theCouncil may from time to time determine5) Application of fissure sealants6) Application of rubber dam7) Exposure of radiographic films intraorally or extraorally for the investigation of lesions of the mouth, jaws, teeth andassociated structures8) Usage of infiltration anaesthesia in procedures such as scaling or root planning9) Taking alginate impressions of the upper and lower dentition10) Giving of advice on matters related to dental hygiene(B) Dental Therapists1) Cleaning and polishing of teeth2) Scaling of teeth3) Any application to the teeth of solutions of sodium or stannous fluoride or such other similar prophylactic solutions asthe Council may from time to time determine4) Application of fissure sealants5) Application of rubber dam6) Extraction of primary teeth7) Restoration of teeth using direct restorative materials8) Exposure of radiographic films intraorally or extraorally for the investigation of lesions of the mouth, jaws, teethand associated structures9) Usage of infiltration anaesthesia in procedures such as scaling or direct restorative procedure10) Taking alginate impressions of the upper and lower dentition11) Giving of advice on matters related to dental hygiene(C) Dental Therapists/Hygienists (Oral Health Therapists)1) Cleaning and polishing of teeth2) Scaling of teeth3) Root planing of teeth4) Application to the teeth of solutions of sodium or stannous fluoride or such other similar prophylactic solutions asthe Council may from time to time determine5) Application of fissure sealants6) Application of rubber dam7) Extraction of primary teeth of persons of 18 years of age or younger8) Restoration of teeth of persons of 18 years of age or younger using direct restorative materials9) Exposure of radiographic films intraorally or extraorally for the investigation of lesions of the mouth, jaws, teethand associated structures10) Usage of infiltration anaesthesia in procedures such as scaling, root planing, direct restorative procedure and extraction11) Taking alginate impressions of the upper and lower dentition12) Giving of advice on matters related to dental hygiene☤Dr Gabriel ChongTheDENTALSurgeon13

13 th – 14 th August 2011 Sat & Sun9.00am – 5.00pmGrand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel SingaporeFeaturing Masterclass SpeakerDr Terry Tanaka, DDSPresenting onTMD Treatment 2011:What works.What doesn’t and WhyandEsthetics and Occlusion:New Guidelines for the Restorative DentistFor enquiries, kindly email to cmc@sda.org.sg

Post Grads AbroadProsthodonticsUniversity of MarylandDr Tan Kian Meng3 years inThe University ofMaryland, BaltimoreDescribe the course inyour university:The prosthodontic residency at theUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore is a3 year program that emphasizes on allclinical aspects of prosthodontics, whichinclude implant rehabilitation, full-mouthreconstruction, conventional fixed andremovable prostheses as well as maxillofacialprosthodontics. Surgical training inimplant placement and other minor preprostheticprocedures are also availablethroughout the residency. Prosthodonticresidents are also expected to be familiarwith the laboratory procedures. In additionto clinical training and didactics, theresidents are trained at research methodologyand basic biostatistics, and arerequired to conduct an original research- the results of which are submitted forpublication in peer reviewed journals.Each year, the residents have the opportunityto attend at least 3 prosthodonticmeetings. The residents can also obtaina Master of Science degree during theresidency. Upon graduation, the residentsare encouraged to challenge the AmericanBoard of Prosthodontics.The place to be:Harbor East, Fells Point and FederalHill are some of the places that come tomy mind. Harbor East is an area whichwas recently transformed into a tourist attraction.There is a high concentration ofhotels, restaurants, movie theatrewithinthe area. Fells Point, on the other hand, iswas originally a shipyard and was famousfor its maritime past. It is now known forits bars and nightlife. Atop the FederalHill, one can get a spectacular view of theBaltimore’s inner harbor. Similar to FellsPoint, Federal Hill is a quaint neighborhoodfilled with history. Interestingly, allthese three areas border the ChesapeakeBay, which make the walk around theneighborhoods more pleasant.The place to bringyour friends:Baltimore’s inner harbor is a mustsee,must-visit location within the city.There are plenty of shops and restaurantslining the waterfront. You can also findthe National Aquarium and MarylandScience Center within the vicinity. It ishard to miss this place as it is “one of themost photographed and most visited areas”of the city. A visit to the world’s firstdental school that houses US PresidentGeorge Washington’s dentures, may be aneat visit as well.ONE thing not to miss:Crack some crabs! Baltimore City isfamous for its Chesapeake blue crabs.From early Spring to late Fall, youcan find many eateries serving freshlysteamed blue crabs topped with Old Bayseasoning. One can easily consume halfa-dozenof these crabs at a go.Don’t leave withouttrying…Equally unique to Maryland, thecrab cake is a must-try when you are inBaltimore. You can truly enjoy the hugeserving of crab meats without needing towork through the hard shells. They aretypically prepared in two styles. I preferthe deep-fried ones, but they can also beboiled for the more health-conscious consumers.☤TheDENTALSurgeon15

Post Grads AbroadProsthodonticsUniversity of TexasDr Loke Weiqiang5 years in theUniversity of TexasHealth Science Centreat San AntonioDescribe the course inyour university:It is a 5 year combined specialty programthat leads up to dual certification inPeriodontics and Prosthodontics. It is oneof the few ADA-recognised programs inthe United States with a formal integratedcurriculum in periodontics and prosthodontics.There are about 6 dual boardcertifiedpractising dentists in the Stateswho are diplomates in both specialties(Periodontics and Prosthodontics)Getting around:San Antonio is a fairly sprawled city,so one usually needs a car to get aroundalthough public transport is pretty wellestablished.The place to chill out:Riverwalk in downtown San Antonio.The Riverwalk has some semblance ofclarke quay with its waterfront alfrescodining, and river cruises. It’s a great placeto chill out with my fellow residents duringthe weekends especially after a toughweek in school.The place to eat:Pesca on the River, Riverwalk. Itserves fantastic seafood (which is not aneasy find in San Antonio) and offers aninternational selection of imported beers.The place to visit:The Alamo, in downtown San Antonio.It’s a place that is steeped in rich historyand which played a pivotal role in theTexas Revolution of 1836 (The battle ofthe Alamo).The ONE thing to do:Experience the rich culture from theexhilarating rodeo shows to the picturesquehill country wineries to the bestknownhistoric Spanish mission trailsthere’ssomething for everyone to enjoy!Don’t leave withouttrying…The Texas-style barbecue beef brisketat the various steakhouses littered all overthe city.Advice to interestedapplicants for thecourse:Be passionate in your chosen fieldof study. Shun the draw of instant gratification,temporal success and excessivepreoccupation with material wealth,knowing that you are more than capableof achieving higher ideals. Spend timeto pursue your interest, enrich yourselfand perfect your art. Above all, considerall of life’s meaningful opportunities thatmay come your way, perhaps only once inyour lifetime- for me, it came in the formof an educational opportunity to pursuemy dream and to eventually serve myprofession in an impactful way. ☤TheDENTAL16Surgeon

Post Grads AbroadProsthodonticsUniversity of IowaDr Kelvin Khng5 Years in theUniversity of IowaDescribe the course inyour university:As postgrads, we are exposed to awide array of treatment modalities rangingfrom implant dentistry to removableprosthodontics and full mouth rehabilitations.The course is intensive and like anyother prosthodontics residency, studentsneed to spend a considerable amount oftime in the laboratory.Getting around thecollege and Iowa city:Buses are convenient and free withinthe college. There are also buses that takeyou to the closest shopping mall. Oneadvice I would give to students who aremore adventurous or independent is topurchase a car for added mobility. Iowacity is 4 hours away from the closest metropolisby car Minneapolis lies in thenorth, St Louis in the south, Chicago tothe east and Omaha to the west.The place to chill:Coral Ridge Mall is the premier shopping,dining and entertainment destinationin the Midwest, featuring more than120 great stores, a 1,000-seat food court,a 10-screen movie theatre, an NHL-regulation-sizeice arena, the Iowa Children’sMuseum, and a unique, reproduction antiquecarousel.The place to visit:For shopaholics, Tanger outlet mall, amere 30-minute drive away is a must-seespot. Big brand names like Coach, Abercrombieand Nike are favourites amongstSingaporean visitors.The one MUST DO:Watch a Hawkeyes match at the historicalKinnick stadium. Hawkeyes is theUniversity of Iowa’s football team. TheKinnick Stadium, named after 1939 HeismanTrophy winner Nile Kinnickhas acapacity of 70,585 and ranks as one of the20 largest college-owned stadiums in thenation. The stadium is always filled to capacitywhen there is a home football gameand Hawkeye fans are amongst the mostanimated and patriotic whenit comes tosupporting their home team. Tailgating—selling BBQ food beside cars or trucksin the carpark--can start as early as 7amwhen there is a game in the afternoon orevening.Don’t leave withouttrying…... the famous corn on the cob. Iowais known for its cornfields as it is the nation’slargest supplier of corn for ethanolas well as human consumption.Corn on the cob is a grilled sweetcorn on a satay stick. Typically, vendorsprepare corn on the cob in 2 ways. Regularand Mexican. Regular-style corn islightly glazed with butter and salt—mypersonal favourite. Mexican-style corn iscoated with a dash of butter, mayonnaiseand then sprinkled with cotija cheese.Definitely a must-try in the land of corn.Advice to interestedapplicants for thecourse:Submit your application early as mostdeadlines for the postgraduate prosthodonticscourses are at the end of September.Missing it will mean missing the followingyear’s admission. ☤TheDENTALSurgeon17

InsightDr Tan Peng HuiCOL (DR) Tan Peng HuiColonel (Dr) Tan Peng Hui, who is the Commanding Officer of theSingapore Armed Forces Military Medicine Institute (MMI), overseesthe health services in the SAF. He is an endodontist and forensic dentistby training.Dental SURGEON’s Dr Christine Lee recently spoke with him onhow he juggles career, family life and leisure.Dr. Tan, congratulations on yourrecent MOH Award for your workin forensic dentistry. You havedone the profession proud! Whatare your thoughts on receivingthis award? And what is the mostmemorable forensic project thatyou have been to?▶Thank you; it’s indeed a hugehonour to receive the award. I amgrateful to the Ministry of Healthand the Health Sciences Authority(HSA). My most memorableforensic work is spending 5 weeksfor the Disaster Victim Identification(DVI) operation in Phuketfollowing the 2004 Boxing DayTsunami.Leading a DVI team to Khao Lakwith teams from over 30 countriesduring the tsunami in Phuket musthave been a very unique experience.Could you share some memorableanecdote during that timeand the type of skills that becamevaluable?▶It was an unforgettable experience.The tsunami was nature atits worst but humanity at its best.In Khao Lak, expressions of humankindness abound, strangerswere helping strangers. With manyinternational DVI teams deployedthere, diplomacy was the order ofthe day. Although Singapore is asmall country, it clearly punchedabove its weight. The SingaporeDVI Team was deployed tothe worst hit area of the disaster,working alongside the Australiansand the Dutch. Although our teamcomprised members of the SAF,Police and HSA, we saw ourselvesas a whole-of-Singapore team, flyingthe national flag together.You are trained in the fi eld of endodonticsand forensic dentistry.How are you able to juggle yourfamily time with work?▶You know, we have more trainingto be a dentist than to be a parentor a spouse. Parenting is probablythe most important job in theworld yet no one taught us howto do it. We learn on the job andfigure out things along the way. Ijuggle my work-family time in thebest way I know how. Most of mytime outside of work goes to thefamily.TheDENTAL18Surgeon

InsightDr Tan Peng HuiIn keeping fi t and a clear mind,what are your strategies for maintaininglean and healthy? What doyou do to de-stress (eg karaoke orkick boxing etc)?▶Like many of us, I need to takethe IPPT (Individual Physical ProficiencyTest) every year. I run asregularly as possible to ensure thatI pass the test. I watch CSI to destressand attend church and SundaySchool every week.What are the challenges you face as the Commanding Offi cer of MMIand as a dental specialist? Having to work in more than one disciplineof dentistry, is this a challenging task?▶It is a daunting task with wide-ranging challenges. You deal not onlywith the current issues but also need to envision the future. It has beena formative experience for me. I acquired new skill sets and learned agreat deal including how your capacity is sometimes more than whatyou imagined. I am thankful for the opportunity.What are your advice for young graduates who are considering a careerwith the Singapore Armed Forces? Is there any pre-requisite (other thanhard work) for anyone to be a Dental Offi cer?▶Go for it! I encourage applicants who have been accepted into dentistryto consider the SAF Local Dentistry Award Scholarship. The DentalOfficers in the SAF are more than just dentists. Besides caring for theirpatients, they will get to hold a variety of appointments that will stretchthem to the fullest. They will lead the men under their charge, inspiringand coaching them. Over the years, I have learned that well done is betterthan well said. And no one can make you feel inferior without yourpermission. Sometimes, the uniformed dental officers have to endurediscomfort and hardship but they will find the military career an excitingadventure.Have you ever regretted becominga dentist and that route that youhave chosen so far? If you are nota dentist now and you are givena chance to turn back time, whatpath would you have chosen andwhy?▶Regret? Nothing doing! Theysay choose work you love and youwill never have to work a day inyour life. How true. I am happybeing a dentist. But if I have to dosomething else, I may become awriter, I like to connect with peoplethrough the written word. ☤For leisure, what do you do in your free time? I know many dentists havespecial talents and hobby, so what are yours?▶I am a military buff. In my free time, I like to read military non-fictionbooks. If you like, bring a pin or military coin, we can exchange ☺.TheDENTALSurgeon19

Learn GainAchieve ImproveAdd NetworkThe RoyalAustralasian Collegeof Dental SurgeonsLevel 13/37 York St, SydneyNSW 2000 AUSTRALIATel: +61 2 9262 6044Fax: +61 2 9292 1974Email registrar@racds.orgWeb: www.racds.orgABOUT THE RACDSThe College provides an opportunity fornew graduates or experienced dentiststo improve their skills, knowledge andunderstanding.Participation in College programs is suitedto all career paths in Dentistry includingprivate practice, government healthservice, academia, armed service anduniversity postgraduate study.Recognition of the College is widening ascloser links and alliances are developedwith agencies and institutions withinAustralia, New Zealand, Asia, the U.K,and the Middle East.GENERAL STREAM FELLOWSHIPThe examination pathway in the GeneralStream comprises a Primary and a FinalExamination.The Primary program covers six areasof study and examination includingareas of anatomy, biochemistry,histology, microbiology, pathology andphysiology. The aim of the program isto enable candidates to demonstrate anunderstanding of fundamental principlesof the basic sciences and their relationshipto clinical practice.The Final Examination is clinicallyoriented and requires demonstration ofbroad experience in the general practiceof dentistry, maturity of clinical judgment,familiarity with the current literature, andclinical application of that knowledge.MRACDSThe Membership program in the generalstream leads to the award of MRACDS. Itis a two to three year structured educationallearning program for qualified GeneralDental Practitioners which is based on thesuccessful completion of appropriate CPDcourses and related RACDS assessmentcomponents. Assessment throughoutthe program is conducted via web andemail. Candidates present for a vivavoce examination at the conclusion of theprogram. Candidates from all regions arewelcome to apply. Holders of the awardof MRACDS may present directly for theFinal Examination.SPECIAL FIELD STREAMThe Special Field Stream provides apathway to Membership and Fellowshipin the specialist fields of Dental PublicHealth, Endodontics, Oral Medicine,Orthodontics, Paediatric Dentistry,Periodontics, Prosthodontics and SpecialNeeds Dentistry.Membership is a pre-requisite to Fellowshipin the above fields. Membership can beachieved through examination by theCollege, or conjointly with institutions withwhich the College has an MOU. It can alsobe awarded to specialists who completedpostgraduate programs prior to 30 June2009 and satisfy the criteria. Following aperiod of independent specialist practicea member can apply for assessment ofeligibility to present for Final Examinationfor Fellowship in that field.The College training program in Oral andMaxillofacial Surgery is accredited by theAustralian Medical Council, the AustralianDental Council and the Medical Councilof New Zealand and is the registerablequalification in that Special Field in thosejurisdictions.LOCATION OF ACTIVITIESIt is possible to sit written papercomponents of some examinations at anumber of centres including Hong Kong,Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbaneand Auckland. Clinical examinations areheld in Sydney or rotated through otherregional centres.The 21st College Convocation will beheld in late March 2012 in Queenstown,New Zealand.CURRENT TIMETABLE FORCANDIDATESJanuary Final Examination General StreamApril Registrations close for MRACDS vivavoce examination Registrations close for Assessmentof Eligibility for Examination in aSpecial Field (except OMS and underMOU).May Registrations close for Final ExamWorkshop Registrations close for Assessmentof eligibility for Final Examination inOMS.June Final Examination Workshop Registrations close for Special FieldExaminations (except MOU and OMS) Registrations close for PrimaryExamination Orientation CourseJune/July Orientation Course for PrimaryExaminationAugust Registrations close for overseasPrimary Exam venues (viva voce– HK, Malaysia, Jordan TBC) Applications close for Assessment ofEligibility for Special Field Exams heldconjointly. Registrations close for Web BasedEducation Program for Final Exampreparation.August/September Web based education program Part I Special Field ExaminationsSeptember Registrations close for Assessmentof Eligibility and Examination inSpecial Fields where held conjointlywith another institution under MOUOctober Web based education program Part II Registrations close for PrimaryExamination Registrations close for MRACDS GeneralStream viva voce examination.November Special Field conjoint examinations Registrations close for FinalExaminationNovember/December Primary Examination

Volunteers’ CornerOperation SmileOperation Smile inDhakaOperation Smile is an international charity organisation dedicated to providing freedental treatment to children and adults suffering from cleft lip, cleft palate and otherfacial deformities. Their mission statement states “We believe that all children deserveto live their lives with dignity. And for those suffering from dental-related deformities,dignity begins with a smile.”In January this year, I joined a team of international volunteers for an OperationSmile mission trip to Dhaka, Bangladesh. The team, led by Dr Vincent Yeow, Directorof the Cleft & Craniofacial Centre at KKSH, included volunteers from Singapore, Malaysia,Philippines, India, USA, Canada, Italy and Peru. Each Operation Smile teamwill generally include one dental surgeon. As the team dentist, my role is to support thesurgical team by extracting teeth which interfere with surgical repair of cleft lip and/or palate, as well as to construct obturators for patients on whom cleft palate closurecannot be performed, either due to medical or anatomic considerations.The weather in Dhaka was surprisingly cool though there was a constant plague ofmosquitoes. Thankfully, mosquitoes seem to prefer feeding on my team-mates fromtemperate countries. The city of Dhaka suffered from the typical traffic congestion ofan Asian metropolis, with a wanton disregard of traffic lights, signage and right of way.Facilities at the hospital we were working in were fairly modern, and not as run-downas many of us had imagined. Local Operation Smile partners also took excellent careof us, moving us from our original bedbug-infested hotel, arranging a constant flow ofBangladeshi snacks and refreshments, planning dinners and events.Over six days, we screened 148 patients of which 98 ultimately received surgery.While younger patients were often too small to comprehend the impact of the operationsthey have gone through, their parents were always overjoyed to see them postsurgery.Older patients--who may go through their procedures under local anaesthesia--werealso elated at their new smiles. One young gentleman even told me via aninterpreter that he’d be able to get a girlfriend now!All in all, volunteering for OperationSmile was an excellent experience. In additionto contributing to a worthy cause,I got to meet some wonderful and dedicatedpeople from all over the world. Ialso had an opportunity to visit a fascinatingcountry I would otherwise never haveconsidered as a travel destination. A bigthank you to all who made it possible!For more information, please visithttp://www.operationsmile.org.sg ☤Dr Tan JundaPhotos courtesy of Mr Edmund Koh forOperation Smilehttp://momentsbyedmund.blogspot.com/TheDENTALSurgeon21

FeatureGrad Dip in AcupunctureGraduate Diploma inAcupunctureThe TCM Practitioners Act waspassed in 2000 to reinforce the professionalstandards of TCM practitioners inSingapore. Since 2006, GDA had been setup to impart the knowledge of acupunctureto western medical physicians in asystematic way. The course is dividedinto 3 modules. The 1st module coversthe basic theory as well as the diagnosticsof TCM. The 2nd module covers indetail the basis of acupuncture and thevarious channels and acupoints locatedall over the body. The 3rd module coversthe management of different medical conditionsusing acupuncture. Lectures wereconducted on Sunday afternoons whileclinical sessions involving real patientswere held on weekday or Saturday evenings.At the end of the course, I need topass the SARE (Singapore AcupuncturistRegistration Examination) before I can beregistered under the Ministry of Health(MOH) to practise acupuncture.Chinese sinsehs were often portrayedin old Hollywood movies as the typicalOriental old men with slit-like eyes andmouths full of gold crowns, sitting inpoorly-lit shops filled with strange lookingconcoctions of herbs and dried upreptiles located in some back alleys inChinatown. Since young, I have alwaysbeen intrigued by the whole array ofChinese herbs whenever I walked past aChinese medical shop, and the sight ofan acupuncturist inserting several needleson his patient often left me wonderingwhether he was performing some ancientblack magic to drive the “evil” out of thepatient.The mysterious facade of traditionalChinese medicine (TCM) was slowly unveiledas I decided to find out more frombooks and PubMed during my postgraduatedays. Through my interactions withmy dental patients, I came to realise thatquite a sizable proportion of them werefrequent visitors to Chinese physiciansand some of them sweared by the effectivenessof acupunctures in relievingtheir chronic ailments. “So how does itwork?” I frequently asked myself. When Ichanced upon a brochure from SingaporeCollege of Traditional Chinese Medicinein 2009 on Graduate Diploma course inAcupuncture (GDA) which was openedto dental surgeons for the first time, I decidedto go for it to learn more about thisancient medical practice since 770 B.C.My class is made up of 25 students,out of which 6 are dental practitioners.The medical colleagues came from boththe private sectors and hospitals, withsome from the anaesthetic department.The course is conducted in English, whichremoves the language barrier for some ofmy non-Chinese classmates. Almost twothirdinto the course now, I must say thatthe past 1 year had been a rather enrichingexperience. We learnt about the fundamentalsof TCM, the concept of Yinand Yang and the philosophy of treatingTheDENTAL22Surgeon

the patient in a holistic way. Learning thecomplex interconnections of the meridiansrunning all over the body as well asmemorising the name of all the acupointsis never a stroll in the park. However, itdoes make learning a little more interestingif one understands the origin of thenames. For example, ST6 jia che , isan acupoint along the stomach meridianlocated near the angle of the mandible, atthe prominence of the masseter when theteeth are clenched. The origin of the namecomes from the mandible, which resemblesa cart housing an assembly of teeth.The practical lesson involved learninghow to insert the needle correctly atspecific acupoints to achieve therapeuticeffect, also known as (arrival ofqi). My first needle insertion on myselfreminded me of my first inferior alveolarnerve block performed during undergraduateyears! The rest of the medicalclassmates had been really helpful wheneverI needed some clarification to locatecertain anatomical landmarks, and it hadbeen great to have the company of myother dental classmates who shared acommon passion in learning acupuncture.One of them is our class rep, Dr ChanJoon Yee, who decided to sign up for the2-year course despite running a busy privatepractice. “I used to regard TCM asthe stuff of folklore as the knowledge wasusually acquired at the wet markets andother areas of gossip,” said Dr Chan. “Butas TCM gained recognition and receivedpositive publicity, I began to see that it’sactually a highly complex and effectiveform of medicine when applied correctly.I initially wanted to sign up for the 7-yearbasic degree course, but realised that Icouldn’t afford the time. This course issomething I have been waiting for, so Iwasted no time in signing up.”A relevant question to ask myself is“What’s next after the course?” Whiledentistry, in particular, periodontic wouldstill be my mainstay of practice, the possibilityof applying TCM knowledgeFeatureGrad Dip in Acupunctureand the administration of acupuncture tomanage certain dental conditions presentsan exciting new frontier. According to asurvey by NUH COFM Department in2005 on the Singapore population, therewas a high prevalence of 76% in the subjectpopulation who used complementaryand alternative medicine(CAM), interestingly,74% did not discuss the use ofCAM with their western-trained doctors.Having a basic knowledge of TCM, especiallypossible western drug-TCM herbsinteractions and the willingness to havean open discussion with the patient whois seeking CAM elsewhere would allowthe practitioner to have a more holisticapproach towards the patient needs andtreatment. The recognition of TCM andacupuncture and their possible applicationin the local medical scene is slowlygaining grounds, with acupuncture departmentsrun by western-trained physiciansalready set up in some hospitals inSingapore. The development of acupuncturein dentistry in Singapore is currentlystill in uncharted water, but I am hopefulthat with more trained dental acupuncturistsin future, its application and contributionto the dental field would no longerremain as mysterious and illusive as whatsome may perceive it to be: an ancientblack magic in the back alley. ☤Dr Wong Li BengTheDENTALSurgeon23

LifestyleMacarons in JapanMacarons in JapanThird, I felt a slap on my shoulder. “Thegood doctor, good to see you,” was quicklyfollowed by a disapproving glance atmy bags of pastry.In my state, I had to be reminded thatgrown men do not go drinking with shoppingbags, especially the ones hangingfrom my fingers.In my own defence, how else could abaking Francophile behave in that basement?Every turn of the head reveals anotherfamiliar name. Look left, Jean-PaulHévin. Look right, there’s Fauchon. Dalloyau.Henri Charpentier.Standing in the basement of TakashimayaShinjuku with three bags in onehand, and a fourth on the way, it did nottake me long to sense that this was goingto be a problem. A mere 20 minutesin the store and there were more shoppingbags attached to my arm than I was usedto. The situation was going to solicit anunplanned trip back to the hotel, unless...I had eaten them all.“Please come again!” the girl behindthe marble counter exclaimed, with thecharacteristic Japanese enthusiasm, asshe handed me my bag of macarons, avery big bag of macarons. I reached intothe bag and fished out the first box myhand came into contact with. An elegantblack box with a bow and shiny embossedlettering “Pierre Hermé”; I felt almostguilty as I tore off the ribbon and reachedfor what I have been missing for a wholeyear. There it was two domes with ruffledfeet, dusted with cocoa powder, dark ganachesandwiched in between. “ChocolatPure Origine Venezuela Porcelana”, accordingto the label. A smooth outer shellwhich yields to the teeth at the slightestpressure, giving way to a moist, light, yetchewy body, just a split second beforerich ganache brings it all together in a lusciousmélange of divine texture and exquisiteflavours.My little logistical problem seemeda very distant memory. It was total bliss.At that moment, three other thingshappened. First, my mind wandered offin search of the next gratification, “InfinimentCaramel - Caramel au Buerre Salé”,a macaron with salted caramel buttercream.Next, my mind pulling itself back,it occurred to me that after kilos and kilosof ground almonds and egg whites,months of piping and drying, I am nowhereeven close to the “Macaron King”,as Pierre Hermé is sometimes known.It is known that the Japanese have adeep appreciation of all things French,but nothing conveys this more than theextraordinary variety of French pastriesavailable and the long lines that formfrom the stores selling them. And of themall, nothing more quintessentially Parisianthan the macaron. Rows and rowsof brightly-coloured discs fill long glassshowcases, as Japanese women point andservice staff pick with silver tongs.But the macaron did not always enjoysuch celebrity. Years ago they wouldsit in Parisian store windows, always inthe same flavours, waiting to be bought.Since then, macaroos have received amakeover, gotten sexy, and have takenParis by storm. Tokyo soon followed.Much of the credit goes to Hermé. Thestory has it that when 14-year-old Herméstarted his training at Lenôtre, macaronscame only in vanilla, chocolate, raspberryTheDENTAL24Surgeon

and coffee. Later, as Head Pâtissier at Fauchon, he began experimentingwith new flavours like rose and pistachio. He now delights macaron-loversall around the world with exotic flavours like olive oil and vanilla, fig andfoie gras, and saffron-scented apricot. In Japan, we can even find macaronsfilled with yuzu with a hint of candied grapefruit and wasabi. Two ‘catwalk’shows are held in Paris each year to showcase his latest creations. It is nowonder they call it ‘Haute patisserie’.LifestyleMacarons in JapanThese days, haute patisserie is no longer limited to big Parisian nameswith appointed boutiques in Tokyo. Once Iron Chef Hironobu Tsujiguchienjoys parallel celebrity status in Japan and is no stranger to perpetualqueues at his boutique, Le Chocolat de H in Roppongi. Just as popularare Sadaharu Aoki and Madame Setsuko, both of whom have boutiques inParis. Their use of Japanese flavours in classic French creations have madethem as sought after as any other name in the city. Think of black sesameeclairs and green tea shells with azuki filling.Waking up with a beer/hoppy/sake/highball induced hangover from ourgreat izakaya crawl, I stared bewildered at the row of bags on the table. Iwondered how I had planned on eating all the macarons without engagingthe help of my friends. I made the necessary phone calls. Two espressos,one pork ramen and twelve macarons later, I deemed myself nursed back tohealth and ready to take on the city for another day. Yes, twelve. My earlierthought was not impossible, it seems. As my fate would have it, those phonecalls led, instead, to sitting in a plush armchair in a dark tea room. It wasthe quieter lounge of Ladurée, in the Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi. Treatmentprescribed by concerned friends, in anticipation of another big night out.This could only mean one thing - more macarons. I wasn’t complaining. ☤• Pierre Hermé: Shibuya-ku, Jingumae 5-51-8, La Porte Aoyama. Tel: (03) 5485 -7766.• Jean-Paul Hévin: Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku 3-14-1, B1F Shinjuku Isetan. Tel: (03) 3351-7882.• Le Chocolat de H: Minato-ku, Roppongi 6-12-4. Tel: (03) 5772-0075.• Ladurée: 2F, Ginza Mitsukoshi, 4-6-16 Ginza Chuo-ku. Tel: (03) 3563-2120.Dr Jonathan LiuTheDENTALSurgeon25

LifestyleLa Ville LumiereCulinary Adventure inthe City of LightsLOVE the La Bombe Alaska flambe at tablesidewith Rum!!! Bring someone youMARVELLOUS cuisine revolutionizedby Catherine de Medici from Florencein Italy who in 1547 became Queenof France, has made France a magnet forfood & wine lovers. Catherine broughtalong her retinue of Master Chefs as wellas Italian delights like Zabaglione andmilk-fed veal, when she went to Franceto marry the Duc d’Orleans, who becameKing Henry II of France. Recently, I madea Gastronomic Safari to France where Idiscovered some culinary gems & othertreasures to share with you. As a gastronomiccapital, Paris has a constellationof Michelin-starred restaurants, and renownedChefs abound to tempt gourmets.Le Cordon BleuAfter my daily morning jog along theromantic River Seine, I took the Metro toVaugirard Station in a residential area. Ashort walk past flower and grocery shops,brought me to No. 8, rue Leon Delhomme…mouthwateringsmells of roastchicken greeted me. This is Le CordonBleu founded in 1895, where former OSSspy Julia Childs learned the French culinaryarts just after WW2. I have trainedat CIA (Culinary Institute of America) butit’s always good to upgrade one’s epicureanskills at Le Cordon Bleu. On that day,I learned how to make all manner of deliciousdelights like Pot au Feu, ConsommeClarite, Cauliflower & Watercress Soup,Classique Bouillon avec Croutons, andthe piece de resistance of Crab Bisque!It was hard work, especially cracking thecrab shells, but very Fun! From time totime, the Chef Instructor would ask sternly,“D’accord?” and we students wouldanswer loudly in military style, “Oui,Chef!”Le Cordon Bleu8, rue Leon Delhomme75015 ParisT: +33 (0)1 53 68 22 50F: +33 (0)1 48 56 03 96Le Grand ColbertAfter slaving over the hot stoves ofLe Cordon Bleu, it was time to indulgein what makes Paris an epicurean capital- Food & Wine! MY favourite grandbrasserie de ‘la ville lumiere’ (the City ofLight) is undoubtedly Le Grand Colbertnear the Palais Royale. I caught the Metroto Bourse station (stock market) & tooka leisurely stroll there along ancient cobbledstreets to the historic Galerie Colbertbuilt in 1637. With the 1830s décor of fabulousgilding, Café de Paris style lamps &gleaming brassware & attentive service,this is as French as you’ll ever get. Mostlylocals come here, plus some movie fanswho like charming, craggy faced Jack(Something’s gotta give) Nicholson. Yes,you’re right, the pivotal scene in the hitmovie was filmed here with Diane Keaton& Keanu Reeves. I like to sit whereJack sat, and dine on such delights asplump Gillardeau Oysters No.5 au naturel,bursting with the blue steel flavoursof the ocean, aromatic, gooey GoatCheese and fleshy figs, fragrant Soupe ala Oignon, tasty Calf’s Liver and…yummiePoulet de Nicholson (chicken) whichwas created for the movie. Oh my God! Ilove here and when dessert is served, sing“La vie en rose” to her just like Edith Piaf“La mome”... The Moelleux au Chocolatis excellent too. Dig in to see the moltenchocolate lava flow out sensuously. Moelleuxis what gastronomically challengedNew Yorkers call ‘’chocolate meltdown”.I always come here if only to see mon bonami (my good friend), le Patron. Do notleave Paris until you have dined here. Ican’t wait to visit soon...hungry for moredelicious food with loved ones... ENJOY!Le Grand Colbert2, rue Vivienne75002ParisTel: 33 (0) 142 86 8788As that Cole Porter song goes: “I loveParis in the Springtime, I love Paris in theFall…Please check out these places on yournext visit. You owe it to yourself afterslaving over a hot high speed handpieceand dealing with demanding patients…ENJOY! ☤Dr Michael LimThe TravellingGourmetTheDENTAL26Surgeon