2007 Dentist's Pledge Affirmation Ceremony, 3rd August 2007

03 Aug 2007

By Mr Heng Chee How

Venue: MOH Auditorium

Dr Yip Wing Kong, President, Singapore Dental Council

Members of the Dental Council

Newly registered dentists and their families

Ladies and Gentlemen

Thank you very much for your invitation.  I am delighted to join you at today’s ceremony. My heartiest congratulations to our new dentists as you begin this journey.  You have trained hard and well for it.   

Pledge as Compass

Today, you take the Pledge – a solemn act that speaks of the nobility of your purpose and the values of excellence, care, compassion, trust and fairness.  This is your Compass for the journey.  It will point you in the right direction and help you stand tall as a professional.  I hope you will always abide by these values.

Charting the Terrain

Besides the Compass, I think you will need a map of the land that you are entering into so that you have a better idea of what to expect.  I will now describe to you four features of the terrain. 

In April this year, we amended the Dentists Act.  I took the Amendment Bill through Parliament, and had a good exchange with the MPs who spoke on the amendments.  What I am now describing to you draws from challenges that the law sought to address and the views and feedback from the ground that came through the MPs and other stakeholders.

Singapore as a Medical and Dental hub 

The first feature that I wish to point out is Singapore’s status and aspirations as an international medical and dental hub.  We have made good progress on this front. 

For example, Mayor Zainudin Nordin said during the Second Reading debate, “Singapore has made great strides to be the dental hub of the region. Recently, the Singapore Dental Association says that our dental clinics here are seeing more overseas patients then before.  These patients seek more than just a quick clean-up or check-up.  They are here for specialist treatment from prosthodontics to oral surgery.  In another development, next year, Singapore will play host to the International Dental Exhibition and Meeting (IDEM Singapore 2008).  This event will be the number one communication platform for the entire dental sector in the Asia-Pacific region.  Continuing this development, in 2009, the Annual World Dental Congress (AWDC) will hold its annual congress in Singapore. It will include a Scientific Programme, a World Dental Exhibition and the World Dental Parliament.”  Exciting times indeed for the Dental Profession and fraternity in Singapore. 

We should certainly be encouraged by the possibilities in thought leadership, technological and clinical improvements and specialisation, and location profiling that such developments bring.  At the same time, it becomes even more important that we ensure that the world-standard care that we offer is accessible not only to those who can afford to travel here and pay, or to the more affluent in our society, but also to our citizens who need financial help and subsidies for treatment. 

Affordable Care for the Poor

Madam Halimah Yacob (Health GPC Chairman) reflected this sentiment during the debate when she said, “There is a concern that the establishment of the Dental Specialists’ Register and the registration of specialists would result in higher fees for patients.  As dental care services in Singapore are primarily provided by private practitioners, there is a genuine concern that needs to be addressed.  Without a Dental Specialists’ Register, it is more difficult for specialists to charge higher fees.  Because to the patient, he is just like any other dentist.  But with the register and a clear recognition of their status as specialists, the fear is that specialists will push up their fees.”

Affordability of and access to good care are therefore also key features on this map.  How do we address them in an honest, meaningful and sustainable way?

The answer lies in encouraging the raising of standards across the board on the one hand, and the right siting of care on the other.  Through Compulsory Continuing Professional Education, the dental profession keeps current with the best clinical and service practices in worldwide dentistry.  It also motivates teaching, research and continuous improvement.  Through clearer delineation of the scope of work of Dental Specialists, Dentists and Oral Health Therapists and Hygienists, we give the right care at the right level and at the right cost.  This also facilitates partnership across the care and treatment continuum. Publication of relevant price and outcome information will further help to clarify benchmarks, and enable patients and payers make better choices.  In this way, the values of the Pledge come alive for all, and especially for those who most need help. 

Dental Care for the Elderly and the Young 

Finally, in terms of demographic trends, we all know that our population is a rapidly aging one.  This means that as dental professionals, you must expect to deal increasingly with the needs of the elderly, even as you continue with the important task of looking after the young and adult populations.  Development of the capacity, standards and outcomes for Active Aging is an emerging priority for Singapore.   Dental care will have its place within that larger framework.  

Too cluttered a map is as useless as not having one.  I therefore stop at drawing out 4 features for you – international dental hub, affordability and access, continuous improvement and demography.  

Closing

It is now for you, fully trained and with compass and map in hand, to venture forth and complete the mission.  I wish you many years of success and fulfilment.

Thank you.