Home Page (Primary Index Page)

Home > About the Division (Secondary Index Page)

  • History & Milestones
  • Objectives & Goals
  • Residency Training Programme Directors & Specialist Committee
  • Student Achievements
  • Contact Us

The Division of Graduate Studies (DGDS) offers residency training programmes <link to MDS RTP> in five clinical specialties, namely Endodontics, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Periodontology and Prosthodontics. These full-time three-year programmes, which culminate in the Master of Dental Surgery (MDS), consist of clinical, didactic and research components.

The DGDS has also expanded its scope and involvement in the professional life of the dentist by providing Continuing Dental Education seminars/ courses. The listing of the seminars held is updated regularly on our Faculty website <link to CDE>. The Division also conducts a Basic Medical Science course <link to BMS> to prepare candidates who sit for the Part 1 MDS Examination <link to BMS>.

Home > About the Division > … (individual infopages)

History/ Milestones [1]

1970 School of Postgraduate Dental Studies (PGDS) was established. Assoc Prof Ronald Victor Lam was appointed as the first Director of the School and served from 1970 – 1972.

1970 The course leading up to the Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) degree was offered for Oral Surgery, Operative Dentistry and Prosthetic Dentistry. There was no structured training programme – candidates had to take a Primary MDS examination similar to the Fellowship in Dental Surgery (FDS) Part I before they were allowed to register for the Final MDS examination, and after two years of relevant clinical postings or four years of general dental practice.

1972 Prof Francis Lee Moh Shin was appointed as Director and served until 1978.

1978 Assoc Prof Chan Yew Ai was appointed as Director and served until 1979

1979 Clinical Assoc Prof Lim Kheng Ann was appointed as Director until 1986.

1986 Prof Chew Chong Lin was appointed as Director. He is currently still serving as Director of the Division.

1989 A two year structured programme leading to the Final MDS examination was introduced. At the same time, the Operative and Prosthetic Dentistry courses were replaced by a course in Prosthodontics.

1992 The 3-year Orthodontics Residency Training Programme was introduced.

May 1994 A total of four three-year Residency Training Programmes were offered – Endodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics and Prosthodontics.

1997 The school was renamed as the Graduate School of Dental Studies (GSDS).

July 2002 The school was renamed as the Division of Graduate Dental Studies (DGDS). The Periodontology Residency Training Programme was introduced.

Present The DGDS has expanded its scope and involvement in the professional life of the dentist by providing Continuing Dental Education seminars/ courses.

Programme Directors/ Specialist Committees [1]

(Presentation Format - Org Chart)

Endodontics Assoc Prof Varawan Sae-Lim (link to CV) – Programme Director

Clin Assoc Profr Chen Nah Nah – Programme Co-Director

Dr Terrence Lee

Dr Liu Hao Hsing

Dr Patrick Tseng

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Assoc Prof Yeo Jin Fei (link to CV) – Programme Director

Clinical Assoc Prof Raymond Peck – Programme Co-Director

Dr Victor Fan (link to CV)

Clinical Prof Soo Khee Chee

Clinical Assoc Prof Teh Luan Yoke

Orthodontics Assoc Prof Kelvin Foong (link to CV) – Programme Director

Dr Mimi Yow – Programme Co-Director

Dr Kaan Sheung Kin

Dr Soh Jen (link to CV)

Dr Rosalind Wong

Dr Hwang Yee Cheau

Periodontology Assoc Prof Lim Lum Peng (link to CV) – Programme Director

Dr Marianne Ong – Programme Co-Director

Assoc Prof Grace Ong (link to CV)

Dr Fidelia Tay

Dr Chung Kong Mun

Prosthodontics Assoc Prof Keson Tan (link to CV) – Programme Director

Dr Chua Ee Kiam – Programme Co-Director

Prof Chew Chong Lin (link to CV)

Assoc Prof Keng Siong Beng (link to CV)

Dr Neo Tee Khin (link to CV)

Objectives [1]

The main objectives of the graduate school are:

·  To provide residency training programmes leading to postgraduate qualification in dentistry.

·  To promote continuing dental education.

·  To develop research in dentistry.

Picture of Commencement (MDS graduates)

Achievements [1]

Research Awards awarded to Residents from our MDS programme:

Dr Woo Mei Yee, Final year Orthodontic Resident won the Craniofacial Biology Award for her project “Light Based Facial Imaging System – A 3 D Validation Study” at the September 2004 19th IADR SEA Division Annual Scientific Meeting at Koh Samui.

Use pic from http://www.dentistry.nus.edu.sg/kohsamui2004.htm right row, 3rd pic.

Dr Zulfilkri Salikin, Final year Orthodontic Resident won the Craniofacial Biology Award for his project “Non-contact surface laser scanner – 3D validation study” at the September 2003 18th IADR SEA Division Annual Scientific Meeting at Vietnam.

Dr Tan Ban Fui, Final year Prosthodontic Resident was awarded the Charles T Kean Memorial Award to attend the 17th IADR SEA Division Annual Scientific Meeting in Hong Kong, Sep 2002.

Dr Juliet Tay and Dr Arthur Lim, Final year OMS and Orthodontic Residents respectively were awarded a cash prize each, out of a total of 3 cash prizes awarded, for their poster presentations at the NDC Annual Scientific Meeting, Oct 2002.

Contact Us (Link back to http://www.dentistry.nus.edu.sg/contact.htm)

Can we add “Operating Hours : Monday – Friday, 8.00am – 5.30pm” to the page?

And change the email for enquires change to

Home > MDS Residency Training Programme (Secondary Index page)

The Division offers structured residency training programmes<link to overview of programme structure, leading to Master of Dental Surgery (MDS), in the following five specialties:

  • Endodontics <link to writeup>
  • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery <link to writeup>
  • Orthodontics <link to writeup>
  • Periodontology <link to writeup>
  • Prosthodontics<link to writeup>

The programme culminate in both an MDS degree as well as the Memberships conferred by The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in the following specialties - Endodontics (MRD), Orthodontics (MOrth), Periodontology (MRD) and Prosthodontics (MRD).

For more information on …

  • How to apply? <link to “Application Information” page)
  • Graduation Requirements
  • Attachment opportunities

Home > MDS Residency Training Programme >… (individual infopages)

Overview of Programme Structure [1]

Clinical and Didactic Component

Clinical training incorporating state-of-the-art technologies is corroborated with advanced didactic instruction. Each resident has the opportunity to manage patients of varying degrees of complexity within a multi-disciplinary framework. They will also be rotated to the National Dental Centre for supervised clinical training and exposure. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery residents are rotated to the clinical departments of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, General Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Anesthesiology.

Apart from their clinical training, residents are also required to take courses in Clinical Photography, Research Methodology, Biostatistics, and a basic course in Dental Implantology.

Research Component

Research is an integral part of the MDS programme and residents are required to engage in a clinical or basic science research project. Residents are also required to attend the Biostatistics course and General Research Methodology Module.

The Biostatistics course covers basic clinical research methodology. The General Research Methodology Module equips residents with the necessary skills to plan a research project, select relevant experimental methods, literature reviews, writing and presentation of their research problem.

Residents may also have the chance to participate in dental conferences and go on student exchange programmes with top international universities.

Overseas Attachment

There may also be an opportunity for overseas attachment or posting for increased educational exposures.

Examinations

All residents are required to and a pass in the Part 1 Examinations <Link to Part 1 MDS Examination Page>for continuation in the Master of Dental Surgery programme. Only those who have passed the F.R.A.C.D.S (Part 1) Examinations are exempted from this requirement. The 2 weeks intensive Basic Medical Science Course <link to BMS Course page> is conducted yearly for residents and is also open to private candidates. The Part 1 Examinations are held in January (and April) annually.


First and Second year residents are required to sit and pass a Year-End Assessment to be conducted before the end of the Academic year. They are also required to submit documentary evidence of having completed the necessary clinical requirements on a termly basis to their Programme Directors.

Final year residents will sit for the Final MDS Examination and Conjoint MOrth/ MRD (if applicable) in May in their third year. The Division conducts conjoint examinations for Membership with the Edinburgh College in the following specialties – Endodontics (MRD), Orthodontics (MOrth), Prosthodontics (MRD) and Periodontology (MRD).

Programme Write ups Endodontics RTP [1]

The Endodontic Residency Programme comprises of didactic, clinical and research components. Clinical training incorporating state-of-the-art technologies is corroborated with advanced didactic instruction in the principles of Endodontics and the basis for biomedical sciences. There may also be an opportunity for a 3-4 weeks attachment at Baylor College of Dentistry in USA for increased educational exposures.

The resident is required to engage in a clinical or basic science research project. The resident is encouraged to attend conferences (both local and international) and present their research findings, conduct table-clinics, etc. at such meetings.

·  Download Course outline <Link to download Course Outline>

·  Directors of programmes/ contacts <Link to List of Directors/ Contacts Page>

·  Examinations <Link to Part 1/2 MDS Examination Page>

Programme Write ups Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery RTP

The Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery programme is a three-year programme. The Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery residency programme will enable the resident to:

·  Acquire the foundation and practical experience in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery to be competent to enter into higher specialty training;

·  Effectively interface with other disciplines in the interdisciplinary management of patients, like orthognathic surgery, cleft lip and palate management;

·  Acquire the experience to conduct research, critically evaluate scientific publications and to communicate clinical and research papers in journals and conferences.

·  Download Course Outline <Link to download Course Outline>

·  Directors of programmes/ contacts <Link to List of Directors/ Contacts Page>

·  Examinations <Link to Part 1/2 MDS Examination Page>

Programme Write ups Orthodontics RTP

The Orthodontic Residency Training Programme is accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh to enable candidates who successfully complete the course to sit for the Membership in Orthodontics (MOrthRCS Edinburgh). This enables the acquisition, by assessment, of the Fellowship of the College of Surgeons (FDSRCS Edinburgh) after 5 further years of clinical practice as a specialist.

The curriculum follows the recommended content by the Erasmus Committee which has been accepted by the European Commissioners in Brussels as satisfying the requirements for specialist practice in Europe.

·  Download Course Outline <Link to download Course Outline>

·  Directors of programmes/ contacts <Link to List of Directors/ Contacts Page>

·  Examinations <Link to Part 1/2 MDS Examination Page>

Programme Write ups Periodontology RTP

The Periodontology Residency Training Programme consists of a didactic, clinical and research component. The primary objective of the MDS course in Periodontology is to train a clinically proficient, scientifically orientated, analytical, empathetic and ethical periodontist committed to the improvement of periodontal health in the community. The resident will be exposed to managing a range of periodontally related conditions with varying degree of complexities some of which involve multi-disciplinary care including patients requiring implants. Emphasis will be placed on the Evidence-based approach and cross-disciplinary interaction as an integral component of comprehensive patient care. Each resident would learn the basic concepts in research and is required to carry out an original research in the field of Periodontology.

·  Download Course Outline <Link to download Course Outline>

·  Directors of programmes/ contacts <Link to List of Directors/ Contacts Page>

·  Examinations <Link to Part 1/2 MDS Examination Page>

Programme Write ups Prosthodontics RTP

The resident will attend a course in basic medical sciences, advanced fixed prosthodontics, removable denture prosthodontics, maxillo-facial and implant prosthodontics.

At the end of the training, a resident will:

·  have had a scientific foundation for clinical and technical skill;

·  be proficient in diagnosis, planning and treatment of patients with prosthodontic problems;

·  be proficient in laboratory skills sufficient to evaluate technical work, communicate with technicians and be able to train others in these skills;

·  be effectively interfaced with other specialties and disciplines in the care of patients requiring interdisciplinary therapy; and

·  be able to conduct independent research.

·  Download Course Outline <Link to download Course Outline>

·  Directors of programmes/ contacts <Link to List of Directors/ Contacts Page>

·  Examinations <Link to Part 1/2 MDS Examination

Graduation Requirements [1]

A candidate for the Degree of Master of Dental Surgery is required to -

·  pass Part I MDS Examination during the first year of the programme. Candidates who have passed the Primary MDS Examination or its equivalent are exempted from this examination;

·  complete the three-year residency training programme in any one of the specialised;

·  pass Part II MDS Examination in any one of the specialised disciplines

·  undertake a research project and publish a dissertation as a partial fulfilment for the award of Master of Dental Surgery degree.

·  participate in 20 hours of continuing education per year

·  read the “SSM1205 The Nation’s health: Lesson from SARS” e-module (for foreign students only)

Attachment Opportunities [1]

The Faculty of Dentistry welcomes dental graduates who are interested in a short attachment to have a first-hand experience of the postgraduate clinical residency training programme may apply for a Clinical Attachment.

Information about the Clinical Attachment Scheme:

1.  This scheme applies to requests for attachment to Postgraduate MDS Residency Training Programmes

2.  Attachment is subject to Programme Director’s approval and receipt of full payment of attachment fees. Period of attachment is up to a maximum of 3 weeks. Faculty will not be able to entertain requests during the Examination (in May) period and during term vacations. Dean’s Office will inform applicant if request is successful.

3.  There will be NO HANDS ON EXPERIENCE in the clinics. Successful applicants will only be allowed to observe. Attachment will only be conducted in the National University Hospital teaching clinics.