简化工序比传统假牙更便利 本地研发首套数码假牙 (First locally developed digital dentures using simplified procedures bring convenience)

​NUS Faculty of Dentistry (NUS FoD) has successfully developed the first set of digital dentures locally, with just a click of a button. Led by Asst Prof Tan Hee Hon, Director of Endodontics, Operative Dentistry & Prosthodontics, NUS FoD, the new innovation simplifies the traditional workflow of producing dentures into a “two-visit” service which brings convenience for patients especially seniors.

NUS researchers invent shield to limit spread of infectious diseases such as Covid-19 in dental procedures

NUS Dentistry researchers have developed Dental Dart, a portable tent-like shield that can protect dentists and nurses from infectious diseases such as COVID-19 by reducing the spread of saliva and aerosols. The device is an adaptation of Dart, a shield developed by NUS and NUH to reduce the risk of exposure to pathogens for healthcare workers performing aerosol-generating procedures on COVID-19 patients.

Dental procedures. Schemes available to ensure access to affordable care

​Forum letter reply by the MOH Director of Finance Planning noted that patients who require non-surgical dental procedures, such as root planning and root canal treatment, can opt for subsidised treatment at polyclinics and national dental centres including NUCOHS.

Veteran clinicians and mentors celebrated in this year’s medical excellence awards

​Article quoted NUHS NMEA 2020 winners - Prof Yong Eu Leong, Senior Consultant from Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, NUH and NUS Medicine, receiving the National Outstanding Clinician Scientist Award for his outstanding research in women’s gynaecological health and human infertility.  A/Prof Keson Tan from NUS Dentistry and NUCOHS, was also presented with the National Outstanding Clinician Mentor Award for expanding the field of knowledge in prosthetic dentistry and mentoring the next generation of dentistry students.

The NMEA recognises the efforts of outstanding clinicians, clinician scientists, and other healthcare professionals.  This year’s awards went to five individuals and a team.

• Lianhe Zaobao, 30 October 2020

Geriatric dentists are here to help

​Dr Tan Mei Na, Associate Consultant, NUCOHS and Assistant Professor at the NUS Faculty of Dentistry (FoD) was interviewed on caring and treating elderly dental conditions. She shared that they not only looked at their oral health but also at their social issues and ability to accept treatment etc. Dr Tan also provided some tips on caring for teeth. Professor Patrick Finbarr Allen, Dean FoD said that an ageing population brings with it multiple chronic conditions and studies have long recognised the systemic link between poor oral health and other chronic conditions such as diabetes. The article also reported that NUS FoD has launched the Graduate Diploma in Geriatric Dentistry in July. This was announced by the NUS FoD late last month, in conjunction with its 90th anniversary celebrations.

调查：插鼻胃管病患风险更高 舌头上病菌未清除干净或引发肺炎 (Study: Patients intubated with naso-gastric feeding tube at higher risk (of pneumonia))

​Associate Professor Catherine Hong Hsu Ling, and Associate Professor Tan Kai Soo from the NUS Faculty of Dentistry (FOD) conducted a one-year longitudinal study of 60 elderly in institutionalised care to investigate the association between respiratory bacteria in the mouth and the development of pneumonia. The study found that the presence of a naso-gastric feeding tube or tracheostomy was associated with a higher risk of pneumonia, with 45.5% of the 33 patients who had a naso-gastric feeding tube found to have pneumonia compared to pneumonia in 7.7% of those without the feeding tube. The doctors explained that this was because the respiratory apparatus offer bacteria a platform in the mouth to colonise. If bacteria in the mouth, especially on the tongue, are not cleaned, they may be inhaled into the lungs, possibly leading to pneumonia. Regular toothbrushing and use of antimicrobials like chlorhexidine as an adjunct are the mainstay of maintaining good oral hygiene, the doctors added.

• Lianhe Wanbao, 8 September 2019, Page 5

New $370 million national centre for specialist dental care, education and research officially opens

The National University Centre for Oral Health Singapore (NUCOHS), officially opened on 5 July 2019, becomes the second national facility in Singapore to offer specialized dental health services.

Professor Patrick Finbarr Allen, Director, NUCOHS, mentioned that because of Singapore's growing and ageing population, the capacity of one centre to cope with the needs has been outstripped, hence the need for another national centre. 

NUCOHS will be able to see nearly 500 patients a day, which is a 40 percent increase from its patient load four years ago. Professor John Eu-Li Wong, Chief Executive, NUHS, said that NUCOHS can also accommodate the relocated NUS Faculty of Dentistry and increase annual undergraduate student intake from 60 to 80 by 2021.

The centre provides dental services in areas such as orthodontics, paediatric dentistry, periodontics, as well as oral and maxillofacial surgery, which addresses diseases and injuries to the face, mouth and jaw. All the treatment rooms are wheelchair accessible and there are also four treatment rooms which are larger than usual to handle patients with special needs such as claustrophobia or behavioural issues. 

• Straits Times, 6 July 2019
  
• Lianhe Zaobao (Front Page), 6 July 2019
• Lianhe Zaobao (Page 10), 6 July 2019
• Berita Harian, 6 July 2019
  
• Tamil Murasu, 6 July 2019
  
• Lianhe Wanbao, 5 July 2019
  
• Shin Min Daily News, 5 July 2019
  
• Channel NewsAsia, 5 July 2019
• Ch 5 - News 5 Tonight, 5 July 2019 (04:03 to 06:40)
  
• Channel NewsAsia - Singapore Tonight, 5 July 2019 (04:20 to 06:57)
  
• Ch 8 TV News, 5 July 2019 (4:20 to 6:58)
  
• Suria (Berita) TV News, 5 July 2019 (2:42 to 3:55)
  
• Vasantham TV News, 5 July 2019 ( 2:30 to 3:50 )
  

Babies with eczema at higher risk of tooth decay

​A recent GUSTO (Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes)  study led by the NUS Faculty of Dentistry, and the Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS) of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), uncovered the association between eczema in infants and the increased risk of tooth decay in early childhood. Tooth decay and eczema are among the most common childhood diseases, and the findings will give parents and caregivers of babies with eczema early warning in order to minimise the incidence of tooth decay in these children.