U-hu! I’m
Back~ Just finished my sessional exam today. Was having severe last paper
syndrome yesterday; brain kept switching off while I go through the notes. This
sessional exam really tested us physically, mentally and emotionally. Only my batch
mates can identify with me on this one. (especially the last minute notice on
the fate of our oral radiology paper) I’m clear now on what should work harder for this coming study break. Ok, let’s see
what I’ve been up to for the past few months.
Our batch 3
juniors came up with the idea of organizing an Open Day for MMMC. It was held
some 2 months back. Prior to the event, they divided themselves into groups;
each group in charged to give out flyers in certain areas of Melaka after class
hours. A general medical check-up by our MBBS counterparts, dental check-up and
Oral hygiene advice were the activities carried out that day. A bunch of us
from BDS 2 did volunteer to help out. We were glad we manage to attract quite a
number of visitors; there was a fair crowd that day. Many were still unaware of
our existence in Melaka and it was a good way to promote ourselves. Anyways,
good job BDS 3!
(Photo credits: Zheng Tao)
(Photo credits: Zheng Tao)
On the 8th
June, my group and group B peeps got the chance to help out in a community
outreach program organized by the MMA in Kampung Gadek, Melaka. The events
consist of general medical check- up, cancer awareness program by the National
Cancer Society and dental check- up. Dr.Noorliza told me it’s actually part of
our community planning project where we will have to come out with plans for intervention
after this visit; slightly different from the visits we made to the kindergarten
and old folks home before. We left our college grounds at around 8am. Abang
Shah prepared buns and carton drinks for us as breakfast along the way there. It
was held in the local community hall of that village. Once we reach there, we
unload our equipment from the bus and climb up a mini slope to reach the hall.
We set up the portable dental chairs and Oral Hygiene Instruction stations in
the assigned corner. Dr.Abishek, Dr. Kapil and Dr.Kiran were together with us
that day. There were also breakfast (nasi lemak & tea) served for the
volunteers. Time slot was divided equally so that everyone has a fair chance to
work in both dental check-up and OHI stations. All three lecturers did the
examination and diagnosis, we student just assist them. (According to the law,
dental students are not allowed to touch patient outside their dental schools) The
people that came were mainly from the geriatric group. Some were happy to get a
check-up but some were hesitant. We were lucky to see one or two special cases.
Of course after the check-up, we gave out the goodies we brought along;
toothpaste sponsored by Colgate, Sensodyne and Kodomo Lion. There was not a big
crowd that day but at least there were people coming in. I think roughly around
60 people turned up. Around 1.30pm, we packed up, had a light lunch and head
back to campus. It was a different experience doing check-up in a community
hall, using the portable dental chair and torchlight for mouth examination;
that brought us back to dentistry in the 1980’s perhaps?
I can say I
was lucky? Dr.Prashanti called me up one Friday when I was heading back home. She
told me about this year 3M competition on Fixed Prosthodontic Case Presentation
which was going to be held on the 14 of June. She needed 2 more representatives
to go witness the competition and the places were opened to Batch 2 students
since no one from Batch 1 wanted to go. I told her I would ask around and see
who would like to join but she wanted an immediate answer (as it was the
dateline for name submission) and so she just picked me and Tian Yuan. For
those who were wondering how and why, that’s how I ended up going. The event
was held in the 3M Innovation Centre in Shah Alam. Jane, batch 1 senior was
representing our college for the competition. It was our first time join the annual
event and Dr.Prashanti really trained Jane on her presentation skills a few
days before the competition. Dr.Renjith, Dr.Abishek, Dr.Kiran and Dr.Prashanti
were the accompanied lecturers who attended that day. The event began with an opening
address from the Division Manager of the Health Care of 3M. He welcomed the
guests and gave a brief introduction of the company. Next, they invited the
judges one by one into the room. There were a total of 3 judges, 2 of which
were prosthodontic specialists and 1 specializes in dental photography. Most of
the dental schools around Malaysia did send one rep for the competition; a
total of 10 competitors were there. (or was it 9?) I did learn a lot from the
presenters and sitting there makes me feel I’m still lacking in many aspects. Some
terms and techniques sound foreign to me. The main theme for the case
presentation was Esthetics. Most of the cases presented were focused on the Maxillary
Anterior Region – Incisors to be exact. I was impressed with the presenter from
UIAM where he used the pit and fissure sealant on the temporary crowns (Protemp)
to mimics the fluorosis pattern that the patient had before. Jane presented a complex full mouth rehabilitation case that
she worked on for the past 8 months. She did a good presentation and the
audiences were actually wowed by her work. She did answer the questions asked
fairly. After all presenters were done, the guests were split into two groups and
brought for tour around the innovation center. Tian Yuan and I stayed on for
lunch and headed off after that. I had to see a doctor for an ear blocked
problem that afternoon. Overall, it was an eye-opening experience for me.
Well, those
were the things I was busy with for the past few months, not forgetting the
routine clinics, studies, ortho wire bending, practical classes and lab work. I
guess that’s all for now, bye~
