How likely are you to develop Alzheimer's disease if your family has a history of dementia?

​On World Alzheimer’s Day on 21 September, the article explores how one’s genes and lifestyle factors can protect the brain from Alzheimer’s disease. A/Prof Christopher Chen, Visiting Consultant, Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital, explained how the social aspect of playing mahjong is good for the brain. Dr Jacinta Lu, Clinical Lead and Consultant, Department of Periodontics, National University Centre For Oral Health, Singapore, explained how good dental can help reduce one’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease. 

人工智能牙科工具“SMILE AI”如何照顾你的口腔健康 (How the “SMILE AI” tool helps with oral health)

In a live interview, Dr Wendy Wang, Senior Consultant, Department of Prosthodontic, National University Centre for Oral Health, Singapore (NUCOHS), explained the symptoms of gum disease and how to prevent it. She elaborated on how the SMILE AI project, which was developed under the NUHS supercomputer “Prescience”, helps a dental specialist make recommendations for patients to prevent gum disease.

Mr Joseph Xu, Manager, NUS Faculty of Dentistry, shared about his experience as a patient when he underwent a 3D dental scan for a procedure, under the SMILE AI project. His scan is one of 400 such 3D dental scans of patients at NUCOHS, which have been used to train the AI model in SMILE AI. He is also part of the team that helped in data collection to train SMILE AI.

Supercomputer deployed for AI tool needs in NUHS

​National University Health System’ Prescience supercomputer is the first in the healthcare sector. National University Health System inked a collaborative agreement with the National Supercomputing Centre Singapore in December 2021 to build this supercomputer dedicated to healthcare and medical research.

• BioSpectrum Asia, 17 August 2023, Singapore's NUHS launches first AI-driven supercomputer to empower healthcare projects
  

Singapore’s NUHS utilises Prescience supercomputer for healthcare innovations

​Fully operational since 31 July, Prescience is Singapore’s third national supercomputer and the first in the healthcare sector. A collaboration between National University Health System and the National Supercomputing Centre Singapore, Prescience is dedicated to healthcare and medical research and has been powering advancements such as the National University Health System RUSSELL-GPT, the Patient Trajectory Prediction AI Model and SMILE AI.

• The Tech Revolutionist, 23 August 2023, NUHS adds supercomputing juice from NVIDIA to drive AI in healthcare sector
  

NUHS develops its own healthcare GPT

​Leveraging its latest supercomputing facility, National University Health System has recently developed its own large language model (LLM) to enhance clinicians' productivity. A collaboration between National University Health System and the National Supercomputing Centre Singapore, Prescience is dedicated to healthcare and medical research. A/Prof Ngiam Kee Yuan, Group Chief Technology Officer, National University Health System, was quoted on the significance of the LLM for healthcare staff and patients.

• Cryptopolitan, 21 August 2023, ChatGPT for healthcare: Singapore's NUHS taps AI to boost clinicians' productivity
  
• TS2 Space, 21 August 2023, Leveraging supercomputing facility, Singapore's National University Health System develops large language model for clinicians
  

NUHS supercomputer powers AI projects, gives patients better care

Fully operational since 31 July 2023, Prescience is Singapore’s third national supercomputer and the first in the healthcare sector. A collaboration between National University Health System (NUHS) and the National Supercomputing Centre Singapore, Prescience is dedicated to healthcare and medical research and has been powering advancements such as the NUHS RUSSELL-GPT, the Patient Trajectory Prediction AI Model and SMILE AI. 

Reports highlighted that NUHS RUSSELL-GPT can summarise patient case notes and write referral letters for doctors in seconds, with Lianhe Zaobao mentioning that NUHS’s Large Language Models are the first in the healthcare sector to aid doctors in summarising large texts and improving patient care. 

Associate Professor Ngiam Kee Yuan, Group Chief Technology Officer, NUHS; Dr Peter Yu, Senior Consultant, Department of Prosthodontics, National University Centre for Oral Health, Singapore (NUCOHS); and Dr Wilson Lu, Consultant, Department of Orthodontics, NUCOHS, were quoted on the significance of these AI projects for healthcare staff and patients.

NUHS leverages supercomputer to drive AI in healthcare

Why are root canal treatments so expensive, and what options do you have if you need one?

A/Prof Patrick Tseng, Director, National University Centre for Oral Health Singapore (NUCOHS), said that the cost of root canal treatment varies for every patient, depending on several factors such as the tooth type, frequency of doctor visits, complexity of the procedure as well as the need to retreat previously root canal treated teeth or need for surgical intervention. The report mentioned that NUCOHS sees more than 1,600 patients on average a year for root canal treatment. 

Patients who require more complex or specialist care may be referred by polyclinics and CHAS dental clinics to NUCOHS and the National Dental Centre of Singapore for subsidised care. At these centres, Singapore citizens get subsidies of 30% to 70% depending on their household income. Financial assistance is also available for subsidised patients at public healthcare institutions.

Opening of NUCOHS @ AH on 3 April 2023

​National University Centre for Oral Health Singapore sets up new specialist dental clinic for seniors with medical conditions and complex needs at Alexandra Hospital to increase accessibility and ease capacity for subsidised specialist dental treatment for seniors.

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