Speech by Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Health, at the Singapore Dental Council Dentist's Pledge Affirmation Ceremony, 25 Aug 2017

Professor Chew Chong Lin, President, Singapore Dental Council
Distinguished guests
Newly registered dentists
Ladies and gentlemen

1.            It is my pleasure to join you today at the 2017 Dentist Pledge Affirmation ceremony. My warmest congratulations to all our new graduates and also to the newly registered dentists. Today’s ceremony is a meaningful milestone for you, as you join a fraternity of dental professionals dedicated to improving the practice of dentistry, and the quality of care for patients.

2.            Many of your family members are also here to witness this occasion and I know they are happy and proud to be celebrating your achievements with us this evening.

Enhancing access to dental care

3.            Singapore faces growing healthcare and dental care needs with a rapidly ageing population. The government will continue to expand the capacity of the dental primary care sector. We are doing this by building more dental facilities in upcoming polyclinics such as the Punggol Polyclinic, as well as by expanding existing polyclinic dental facilities. We will also train more dentists and the dentistry intake in the NUS Faculty of Dentistry is expected to grow from the current 54 to around 80 undergraduates a year.

4.            CHAS dental clinics in the community also contribute to enhancing the accessibility and affordability of dental care for Singaporeans. We currently have over 700 private dental clinics participating in CHAS, a significant increase from 290 in 2012. Working together, the public and private dental sectors provide a range services to ensure that patients receive care that is appropriate to them, and have convenient access to good quality dental care in the community.

Providing patient-centric care as one healthcare family

5.            As dentists, you play an important part in addressing these growing needs by providing care that is patient-centric. Beyond treating oral diseases, you can contribute to managing the overall wellbeing of your patients. For example, many patients with halitosis or multiple loose teeth would have underlying medical conditions such as diabetes or even practice unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking. Your interactions with your patients provide a good opportunity to advise them appropriately on issues such as reducing their sugar intake and smoking cessation. This will help improve their oral health, and more importantly, enable them to lead healthier lives.

6.            Many of you here today will practise as general dentists, and you will play a key role in promoting preventative oral health through your proficiency in a wide range of dental procedures. General dentists also have an important part to play in identifying potentially complex and urgent problems, and referring them appropriately to a tertiary care centre. This ensures that patients who need specialist care will receive them in a timely manner.

Digitisation of dental records with NEHR

7.                 We are working towards better integration of care services so that we can put the patient at the centre of our healthcare system. One of the ways in which we are doing so for our dental services is to digitise dental records in both the public and private sectors and to start using and contributing to the National Electronic Health Record (NEHR).

8.            Currently, referrals within the public healthcare system between the primary and tertiary care centres are mostly done manually, limiting the coordination and continuity of care for patients. The dental IT strategy will help improve efficiency and access to critical investigation and diagnostic test results, and ultimately facilitate a more seamless care for our patients between institutions.

9.            Digitisation and contribution of the dental summary records to NEHR will allow private dental practitioners to view up-to-date dental history of their patients to better understand their condition. The web-based SmartCMS system will also help reduce administrative steps for clinics submitting CHAS claims, improving workflow and productivity within the clinic. I urge all dental practitioners to come on board the NEHR when their systems are ready.

Quality and safe practices

10.         As healthcare professionals, it is your duty to put quality of care and patient safety at the forefront of your practice. A strong mentorship system has been put in place to guide you in delivering safe, evidence-based care. I urge all of you to learn actively from those who are more experienced, and seek advice readily when in doubt. In time to come, it will then be your turn to guide your younger peers and share your experiences gained through your years of practice.

Upholding professionalism

11.         The Dentists’ Pledge that you will be reciting tonight is a tradition that has been passed down through generations. Taking the pledge reflects your commitment to upholding the ethical and professional standards of the dental profession. It will also affirm your duty to patient care, and to putting the interests of your patients at the front and centre of everything that you do. I hope that you will continue to keep the words of the Pledge close to your hearts as you begin your new careers.

12.         As our healthcare system continues to evolve, the practice of dentistry will also change over time. It is also your professional duty to keep up with new developments, and to pursue continuing education and training in order to serve your patients better. The road ahead will be a challenging but rewarding one, and I am confident that each of you will contribute to the best of your abilities.

13.         Congratulations once again to all our new graduates and newly registered dentists. I wish you all the best, and look forward to your future contributions to the healthcare system. Thank you.