Greetings from the NUS Faculty of Dentistry!
Founded in 1929, the Faculty strives for excellence in dental research and education in the region and globally. Since our foundation, we have been extraordinarily proud of our graduates, staff and partners for their significant contributions towards improving health and wellbeing in the communities we serve. Recent examples include the ability of both staff and students to pivot quickly and effectively to maintain and advance undergraduate and postgraduate clinical education through innovations such as introducing the Common Curriculum which seeks to integrate various health disciplines, furthering geriatric dental training to meet the complex dental needs of the “grey tsunami”, and curating lifelong learning opportunities for dental practitioners in Singapore and beyond.
The impact that we have had on oral and systemic health is underpinned by the relentless pursuit of research and discovery at the Faculty, where we seek to push boundaries across dental disciplines and other research centres within the National University of Singapore (NUS) and across international borders. The Faculty has embraced the Fourth Industrial Revolution to improve the lives of our patients by integrating technological advances which as, the World Economic Forum aptly states are ‘blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres’.
Dentistry is not just about oral health. With its complex orofacial structures and functions, the field provides a wonderful test bed for discoveries that can be applicable elsewhere in the body. For example, we have pursued microfluidics and organ-on-chip based biofabrication studies which are emerging as a tool to reconstruct not just microbiome interactions in dental and periodontal diseases but also serve to emulate miniature human tissues for further examination of other disease states. These novel discoveries have not just seen NUS Dentistry advance in global rankings but open the door for new solutions that will further understanding of healthcare issues and potentially enhance patient care in the near future.
Besides working within the Faculty, we are committed to advance collaboration opportunities to support the key thrusts of NUS: quality education, high-impact research and entrepreneurship, and the service to the country and society.
We strive to nurture well-rounded individuals. We constantly improve our suite of academic programmes so that they provide future clinicians with a robust foundation in dental sciences, clinical skills, and critical thinking. Beyond the classroom, students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and simulation labs, allowing them to gain hands-on experience, pursue various research studies with potential collaborators and refine their expertise under the guidance of experienced faculty members.
In addition to academic excellence, our students also engage in extracurricular activities, student-led organisations, and work with various partners on community outreach initiatives to foster leadership, teamwork, and a sense of social responsibility. As dental professionals, we understand the power of oral health in transforming lives and we aspire to continue giving back to society and reaching out to underserved populations to provide dental care, oral health education and preventative services.
NUS Dentistry demonstrates the power of our collective vision and goals and plays a crucial role in transforming the healthcare landscape by serving as a vital gateway to overall well-being. We seek to continue recognising the intricate connection between the oral and facial region and the body and acknowledge the importance of integrated healthcare. Together, let’s shape a future where oral health is a fundamental right, and accessible to all.
Professor Chris Peck
Dean
NUS Faculty of Dentistry