Dentists Vs Dental Hygienists, The Sprinter Vs the Marathon Runner

Dentists have a small customer base of big spenders, while Dental Hygienists have a large base of smaller spenders. This was one of the main messages that Dr Irfan Ali, a lecturer in the School of Health Sciences, had for a group of secondary 3 Catholic High School students during a 3-hour workshop organized by the School of Health Sciences. 

Dr  Irfan Ali speaking to the students about the Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Therapy.

This workshop was part of a programme for secondary school students to learn moreabout the Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Therapy course, which is taught by Dr Irfan Ali.

 "You will be in demand," Dr Irfan Ali said.

Dr Ali said that the course allows students to develop more hands-on experience and contact time with their lecturers. Students pursuing this diploma will receive approximately 3,000 hours of contact time per semester.

"If the diploma was available to me when I was studying, I would have taken it," Dr Irfan Ali said, referring to the diploma's prospects.

Mdm Eudora Soh, a Dental Therapist Support Officer who co-ran the workshop, agrees. She said that graduates who can do their job well while developing a rapport with customers are in high demand.

In addition to the introductory lecture, the 4 Catholic High School students also worked on over-sized training teeth.

Mdm Soh shows the students the training teeth they will be working on.

Joshua Lim and Alvin Loh, two students who attended the workshop, found it helpful.

Alvin said that, "it answered a lot of industry questions I had and highlighted the different career paths I can take."

Mdm Soh shows Catholic High School student, Joshua Lim (center), how to work on the training teeth.

Joshua said that the workshop helped him understand the differences between a Dental Hygienist and a Dentist. "Before I came here, I didn't know the difference. I thought a dentist is a dentist!"

Mdm Soh (foreground) with (from left to right) Joshua Lim, Elvin Tan, Alvin Loh and Chen Peng Hao.

Joshua added, "This course is the only one available in Singapore, so there's little competition and it's easier to find a job."

To learn more about the Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Therapy, click here.

To learn more about the School of Health Sciences, click here

Smile and Say Ahhh at the Teaching Dental Clinic!

By Rafidah Sapa'at, Year 2, Diploma in Dental Hygiene & Therapy 

Who knew that right here in our very own school exists a Teaching Dental Clinic at Block H, Level 5. Imagine your primary school dental clinic but without the presence of stern dental nurses at its helm. Instead, final year Dental Hygiene & Therapy students are at hand to provide dental services under the supervision of qualified dentists and staff.

The Teaching Dental Clinic opens every Monday for all staff and students of NYP. As of June 2011, the clinic has been visited by over 159 staff and 238 students since it first started in October 2008. Examination and treatment are carried out by final year Dental Hygiene & Therapy (DHT) students, who have undergone extensive clinical training by supervisors from the National Dental Centre (NDC) and the Health Promotion Board (HPB).

Final year students using the dental x-ray unit

Comprising of a waiting and reception area, two fully equipped dental surgeries and an x-ray room, the Teaching Dental Clinic aims to provide final year students with the hands-on experience of managing a private dental clinic under the supervision of a dentist.

Costing only $7, the dental services provided includes dental x-rays, scaling and polishing of teeth, oral health education as well as further dental consultation and a referral to a specialist if required.

Once the students graduate, they will take on the role of Oral Health Therapist working either in the public sector (School Dental Clinics, Polyclinics or Dental Institutions) or work as a team with the dentist in private clinics. Until they graduate, the final year students manage and treat patients under close supervision.

Having experienced clinical work for the past year, the final year students are aware and understand the fear and anxiety of most patients. Thus, the patient’s comfort is a top priority for the students.

Said Tan Le Yin Ester, one of the final year DHT students, “We talk to them to make them feel welcomed and to calm them down. We will also show and explain to them about their oral health problems and the instruments we use so that the patients will be less fearful of the treatment.”

Indeed judging by the number of patients coming for dental visits to the Teaching Dental Clinic at an average of 10 patients per day on the Mondays that the clinic operates on, the response has been very positive. The management is intending to open the clinic on Wednesdays as well in the next semester, starting in October

“The whole treatment was pleasant and Ester was very clear when giving oral health instructions”, said Xing Hong, a recent NYP graduate who had just undergone a scaling and polishing treatment. “I would definitely visit again and recommend it to my friends!”

The Teaching Dental Clinic opens every Monday from 8am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 5.30pm at Block H, Level 5, Room H514. Please call 6550 1300 to book an appointment.



This is the way we brush our teeth