The Signing of The Memorandum of Understanding Between The University of Warwick, The Global Implant Forum & Teaching UK and The Institute for Dental Education Advancement

09 Nov 2005

By Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts and Health

Venue: Goodwood Park Hotel

His Excellency Mr Alan Collins, the British High Commissioner

Professor Jeremy Dale, Head, Division of Health in the Community, University of Warwick

Associate Professor Ho Kee Hai, Chairman Designate, Institute for Dental Education Advancement, Singapore

Honoured Guests

Ladies & Gentlemen

I am pleased to be here this morning, to witness the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Warwick, the Global Implant Forum & Teaching UK (GIFT) and the Institute for Dental Education Advancement, Singapore (IDEA).

Compulsory Professional Education (CPE)

I note that IDEA is a non-profit organization set up and run by non-remunerated dental, medical and legal professionals and supported by Mt Elizabeth Hospital to run CPE programmes for the dental profession.  This is a positive move as compulsory CPE for the dental profession will be introduced soon.

Compulsory CPE in dentistry is not new.  It has already been introduced in the United Kingdom, United States and other countries. The medical profession has started this in 2003.  It is timely for us to implement this for dentistry in Singapore. Clinicians should keep themselves updated so that they can provide the appropriate treatment to their patients using knowledge and procedures that are clinically well proven.  We owe this to patients.  In addition, I would encourage dentists to send their supporting staff for courses to keep their staff updated as well.

Dental Implants

The signing of this MOU between the University of Warwick, the Global Implant Forum & Teaching UK and IDEA will enable IDEA to also provide structured implant training programme in Singapore. Although implant dentistry was introduced to the profession in the 1950's it was only in the last 35 years or so that the concept of Osseointergration was accepted. Implant dentistry based on this concept was provided to our patients in the mid-1980's.  At that time our dentists had to go overseas for their training.  About 15 years ago, dentists in Singapore started attending local courses. These, initially, were in the form of short courses but in the recent years, the courses have been more structured.

Today we have seen an increase in the demand for using implants to replace missing teeth. More dentists have undergone training to provide such services to their patients.

We have seen marked improvements in implant dentistry. New materials together with new methods of treatment have been developed. There are now many implant systems available in the market with new surface structures and designs. All these have contributed to making the procedures simpler as well as greater success of treatment for the patients.

The University Warwick Implantology programme

The University of Warwick, the Global Implant Forum & Teaching UK and IDEA have taken a great step in jointly conducting the MSc (Implantology) programme in Singapore through this MOU. This will provide an additional avenue for training to dentists. With proper training, our patients can be assured of better quality care. This MOU will also enhance Singapore's role as a training centre for implant dentistry and as a centre for implant dentistry treatment in the region.

I would like to congratulate the three parties on this joint educational venture and wish them every success.