Registration with the Malaysian Dental Council

Hey y’all! It’s November and I’m already in that Christmassy mood~ Current status: Still unemployed but occupied. There are a few things that I’ve yet to accomplish in my “long” break. Taking baby steps~

The good news is, I am officially a registered dentist with the MDC! (and I like my registration number a lot) After a very long wait of 2 months, we finally got our transcript in early October. It was really nice to visit FOD again, meeting the lecturers and bubbly juniors, but there was a sense of foreignness. It’s like I don’t belong there anymore. Sigh~

Honestly, I miss Melaka town. I miss how convenient everything was, how McD was 5 minutes’ drive away, how you do not need to cross big highways to get to the major shopping malls, how I feel more at ease driving without car tailgating me and of course, the church and the people there.

Though initially my intention for this blog was to share my BDS experience with those who are interest to apply to MMMC, but I think the life after BDS is still in a fog for some and it won’t hurt to continue writing to clear some doubt for those who are going to graduate soon. In this post, I shall focus on writing about my experience on the registration with MDC.

Our transcript took about 2 months to be process. We should have been able to collect it earlier but there were some minor problems with the grading and so they needed more time to verify and amend. Our admin coordinator, Mdm Sudha then helped us booked the appointment with the Malaysian Dental Council. My batch had to split into 2 groups as they can only attend to maximum 30 people a day. You can also opt to phone them yourself to set an appointment on the day you wish. Once you have made the appointment, make sure you get ready all the necessary documents as listed in the MDC webpage. Missing out on one document or its certification is enough to bar you from getting registered as happened to few of my batch mates.

I choose to go on the second date that was given; on 20^th October 2015. The appointment was set at 9am in the Cyberjaya office. We were all gathered in a meeting room. There were a few sets of documents and booklets placed in front of us. Two administrative staff then briefed us about the registration procedure and helped us in arranging the required documents. 

After everything was piled up neatly inside our individual folders (which carries our assigned registration number), an administrative officer came in to talk to us about MDC, the rules and regulations after becoming registered and then signed off the documents for us. She reminded us that registering with the MDC is not mandatory but if you want to practice dentistry in Malaysia, it is a must. Once you are registered with the MDC, you are tied to the Dental Act 1971. It is also compulsory to serve the government (Khidmat Wajib) for a year. Within that year, you are not allowed to take unpaid leave. If you do so, the days that you have served before would not be counted and your one year Khidmat Wajib will start all over again. If you go MIA, they would issue 3 warning letters after which your photo would be published all over the webpage of MDC as well as in the newspaper for several days. FYDO (First Year Dental Officer) are also not allowed to apply from locum-ship. You can only apply starting from the second year onwards. If you were caught working as a locum during your FYDO year, you can be sued and deregister from MDC. After completion of the one year service, you can choose to continue with the goverment or resign and join the private sector or further your studies. We were also briefed about the online portal dpims, annual practicing certificate and CPD points. The whole registration procedure took about 3 hours.

After MDC registration, we have to hand in the BMD (Borang Maklumat Diri) form and MDC acknowledgement letter to the Ministry of Health office in Putrajaya. In that BDM form, we were required to submit 3 states of our preference for the compulsory service along with reasoning in Bahasa Malaysia. Luckily for me, my friend, Christine warned about this and I had a night to think it over with my parents. It was really disaster when I first try to write out the reasons in Bahasa. Jewel and Vino were laughing hysterically while I read out the reasons one after another. Thank God for the invention of Google Translate. I better practice conversing in BM now or I will definitely screw up the SPA interview later.

Parking was hard to find around the Ministry of Health building. We have to personally find our way to the Unit Pengurusan & Professional in MoH to submit the documents. Basically we have to place the documents in a prepared “pigeon-hole” and that’s it. There was nobody to neither verify the document nor attend to you. You can choose to submit your documents to the MoH the same day as your MDC registration or you can take your time to think about it and come back another day.

Once back home, we have update our online SPA application with our registration number and patiently wait for their notice for interview.

So that’s it. I will come back to update once I have proceeded to the next step. Wish me luck!

Ps: Honestly, day by day I can feel that my learned knowledge and skills are gradually leaching away. Sob~

Is this the end?

Today is the 1^st of September. It’s been officially a month since I sat for my final BDS examination. And yes, I have made it! (or maybe made it to become just another top up to the existing BDS graduates who are waiting to be call for service)

As I looked back at the things that I have been through this year, I’m glad how everything had taken place. Daily, I was maturing; leaving the naïve self behind. I grew not just as a student but as an adult. Certainly, I’m not the same person I was when I started in first year. Life had been a bed of roses; you never know when you’ll be prick by the thorns. Clinical years have been quite rough. Like any other dental school, there were definitely unfairness in patients’ distribution, gossip of what another person had done, hatred and selfishness going around. 3 years in clinic had gave me a glimpse of the real world outside. On top of that, we have the stress of completing clinical quotas, checking with the lab technicians whether the castings are done, preparing seminars presentation slides etc. The 8am – 6.30pm time wasn’t sufficient to complete everything; or maybe I was just too ambitious. By the time I crawl up the 2 flights of stairs to my room, I just want to wish the world “good night and see you tomorrow”. It’s really easy to lose yourself in the hectic schedule. Having said that, I really appreciate the people that I have interacted with, the constant nurturing from my self-less lecturers and the chance given by the patients to learn on them.

I questioned myself after answering of the last OSCE station, “So this is the end?”  As I see my batch mates rejoicing that it’s all over, there was a feeling of emptiness, lost and uncertainty for me. Maybe I’m experiencing what they call as “post-graduation blues”.

All along I have been a very determined person, I know what I want for my future and I normally won’t change once I have decided. Currently, I know what I want but I haven’t got the time to find out how to reach there. Still busy unpacking and reorganizing my enormous amount of things I accumulated for the past 5 years. Honestly, I have this fear of losing touch with what I have learned but the current situation gives me no way out. I can’t touch patient until I obtain the practicing certs.

Okay, now let me update this blog with the events that had happen from where I stop the last time.

In the month of May, I was busy preparing for the annual National Dental Student Scientific Conference. My team was one of the 2 teams chosen to compete in the poster presentation category.  We spent around 1 month to design and finalize the poster. After trying all sorts of color, we settled in for a dark blue background. Dr.Noorliza and our dean, Prof Rashid also spent time to help us audit the final poster before printing. After several mock presentations in front of our guide, Prof Sumanth and a panel of judges, we were off to IIUM for the event. Despite the sudden change of time limit, I was happy with our performance that day though we struggled with the Q&A. MMMC won the overall champion as the other oral and poster competing teams won one of the first 3 placings; with my team went home empty handed. That time I felt awful and people around me gave me that sorry stare. I felt that I let my guide and team mates down. Looking back now, that was actually a blessing in disguise for me. I learned that maybe God was trying to make me set my priority right in terms of doing a research. Winning is not everything, people recognition isn’t everything, what’s more important is doing something relevant, honesty and sincerely in your work so that what you do become beneficial to the world. I know that people around me might think that I’m still sulking over the lost; rest assure, I'm over it and am happy for how far we have come, it was a valuable experience and lesson for me personally.

The junior hosted our farewell dinner at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Melaka on the 11^th June. The theme was Old Hollywood. For the dinner, my batch came out with a video filled with dental parodies and a sentimental ending. Though we had to do it in a very limited amount of time, the end product was satisfying. To our surprise, the juniors also prepared various farewell videos which were very touching and I was actually tearing throughout the dinner. The performances prepared were very unique. I love the farewell gift, the walk of fame star, certainly a token to keep for the rest of my life. Ken and the team, kudos on the well planned dinner!

The addition of the title “Dr” in front of my name have never been my goal.  What I have studied and worked so hard for these past 5 years is so that I can be the individual that the society needs, to make a difference in other people life. I know this is not the end for me; it’s just the beginning, the first step into my future. I know God have plans for me and I will trust His lead. Till next time, keep smiling~

Photo credits: Jewel, Christopher J., Farah Najiah

MMMC's 2nd Student Scientific Conference

Finally, I feel more settled down. Many things have been piling up one over the other. After delivering my ortho appliances yesterday, I felt so much relieved. Anyway, am going to have an OSCE exam this coming week. So while I relax, I thought maybe I write something in here.

Just 2 weeks ago, on 19^th March, our college held the annual student scientific conference (SSC) and dental quiz competition “Impaction”. This year, it was up to my batch to present our research papers. The 49 of us were divided into 16 groups; each group was mentored by a lecturer. We draw lots to determine our lecturer in charged. For my group, we were under Prof.Sumanth. I’m glad to be able to work with Bhairavi and Chen Wei for this paper. 

Through the first few months of 4^th year, we were busy with the preparation for the research proposal and presentations for the approval from the ethical committee. After getting “bombarded” in the ethical committee meeting, we went through all the suggestions and did some major corrections with our proposal. After submission of the final proposal and getting the approval of the ethical committee, we started our work. It took us almost one year to complete the results. Dr.Htoo Htoo then helped us with the statistical analysis part. After all the analysis, we managed to submit the manuscript. 2 weeks before the conference, we had to do a mock oral presentation in front of the student scientific research committee. Taking in all the suggestions, we sat with our mentor again to improve the powerpoint slides and our presentation skills. Dr.Sumanth (big boss) had been a really great mentor, saving us from the many blunders we made through the whole process. We only know on the stage that day of SSC that his insight and advice (some prep talk) were indeed blessing in disguise.

Lecture classes and clinics were cancelled a day before the SSC and all final years were gathered in the hall for a full rehearsal. My group was scheduled to be the 5^th group for presentation. The 4^th years and some 3^rd year students were busy setting up the whole hall. I felt a little nostalgic of last year SSC when seeing the juniors work. Ken and the team did a good job this year. *clap!*

We were all so nervous during rehearsal. I was fidgety, repeating the opening line numerous times while waiting for our turn at the side of the stage. When asked the ever calm Chen Wei why she is not feeling the nerve, she just said “I’m already peeing inside.” That was just hilarious. After positioning ourselves to one side of the stage and mic check, I signaled to the time keeper. When she said “And your time starts now”, my head just went blank. Well aware that I will waste time to recollect what to say, I just when for a general good morning and then introduce our research topic with major mistakes here and there. At that point of time, I really wanted to dig a hole and hide from our mentor. *An utter disappointment after he stayed back to run through with us the previous day*  All 3 of us had some mistakes here and there but Dr.Sumanth told us it was not too bad and we just needed some more practice to be fluent. *so positive*

Not satisfied we our performance during rehearsal, we spent the whole night before the conference in the common room of our hostel ground floor (our usual meet up place) practicing our presentation. We repeated the whole presentation again and again, making sure all pronunciations were clear, timing each other, practicing the changing of slides and using the pointer.

The next day, Chen Wei helped me with my hair in my crib before we head to the hall. We all agreed on suit and skirt with hair tied up in a neat bun. After on quick round of mic test on stage that morning, we helped ourselves to a light breakfast. The event started off with a quick speech from our dean and then the first group was up to present. The 3 of us kept running through our lines for presentation and by the time we know it, we were on stage delivering our work. I was happy with our presentation skills that day. We tried to keep a good pace so that everyone can understand the whole study in that tight 10 minutes we have. The judges were not as intimidating as we thought. However, I think our answering skills still needs to be sharpen. Overall, our mentor was happy with our performance. It was a good experience.

At the end of the day, results were announced and we were blessed with 3^rd placing, tied with Annishka’s group. And now, we are preparing for the poster presentation in the coming national dental student scientific conference, so wish us the best ya~! See you in Kuantan soon. 

Official Visit to Kuching Public Dental Health Services

Yoo-hoo! Just came back from Kuching last Saturday. Was having flu throughout my trip there. The last few months had passed by very fast. I was really busy with clinical work and our final year research paper. Just next week we will be having the oral presentation for our research paper and we are still not ready. *GULP*

For the mid-term break this time, my batch got the chance to go for government posting where we get to see up close of our job scope when we start our government service in the future. 49 were divided into 3 groups, based on our own personal preference of going to either Kuching, Kota Kinabalu or Kuantan. I chose Kuching as first I have never been there and second I wanted to see the working environment in Sarawak.

We flew there on Sunday morning and spent the afternoon exploring Kuching town. On Monday morning, we were greeted by Puan Fatimah and Madam Regina who both are senior dental nurses in Kuching right in front of our hotel. They were with us the next four days, acting as our temporary ‘mothers’. There were 2 vans prepared from the Ministry of Health to take all 17 of us around. 

We were first brought to meet the Kuching Divisional Dental Officer, Dr.Aminuddin. He briefed us on the social demographics of Sarawak and the dental services available. He also highlighted to us regarding Pinnacle 2020, a plan for Sarawak to catch up with the oral health status of people in West Malaysia. 

Next, we headed to Klinik Kesihatan Kota Sentosa. Usually at the Klinik Kesihatan (health care centers), dental officers would carry out primary care services which includes extraction, restoration, scaling and issue dentures. The dental officers would be assisted by DSAs. There are also dental technicians stations at these clinic to fabricate the dentures. We were told that patients should receive their treatment within 15-30mins upon registration. The DOs cannot take their own sweet time to do a treatment; everything has to be fast and precise. No secondary impression for denture, extraction should be done in minutes. At Kota Sentosa, Dr.Kueh told us about the antenatal program they do with pregnant mothers, educating them about taking care of the oral health of their child. We also got to enquire about life after graduation from a FYDO there, Dr Ain. The conversation with her set my mind at ease about what’s to be expected along the process of getting employed. 

After lunch, we visited Kuching’s brand new Klinik Kesihatan in Petra Jaya. It did not look like a health care center from the outside. The dental clinic was roughly the same as Kota Sentosa just that the facilities were relatively new, spacious and they have 3 specialists working there. Somehow during our visit to these clinics, there were always less patients and we didn’t get to see the busy condition as stated by the DOs.

As for the second day, we travelled out, away from Kuching town to St. Paul Primary School at Kampung Bunuk Padawan. We got to see the mobile dental team consisting of 2 dental nurses and their DA. They are stationed at the school for 1 week to screen and treat the children before moving on to the next school. The team occasionally has to set up sleeping mats next to their mobile dental chair during their stay at the schools. The enthusiasms in the nurses really left me in awe as they travel through the rough terrain of Sarawak just to deliver their services to people in the rural villages. 

After some delicious chicken curry and meehoon, we moved on to visit a static dental clinic in SJK Chung Hwa No.10 who won 2^nd place for their dental clinic set up. In Kuching, static dental clinic are set up in most of the schools whereby dental nurses will be kept in charge of the children oral health. They will do basic restoration, extraction of primary teeth and scaling. Any cases beyond their scope will be referred to the DOs in Klinik Kesihatan. 

In the afternoon, we got to visit the water treatment plant at Batu Kitang. We were there to learn about water fluoridation and to see the fluoride feeders.

The third day was indeed a memorable one. We spent the first half of the morning at SK Pendidikan Khas (B) at Batu Lintang. It is a special school caters for the blinds. Mr.Samuelson the headmaster gave us a background about the school upon our arrival. We were then brought around to see the students and the facilities in the school. Our first stop was the library and I was amazed at the speed of a young girl reading a story book with the braille system. Mr. Syalahuddin also showed us the various gadgets that the government invested to aid in teaching the children. I must say that the teachers there demonstrated admirable patience and sacrifice in teaching the children. The students are trained to be self-independent. Those in the standard 6 also stand a chance to sit for the UPSR examination like normal child with an extra leeway of 30 minutes which I feel is too little. Being there makes you feel how blessed you are to have your sight. Many of them really want to learn but are hampered due to their disability. 

Following that, we were brought to a NGO school for mentally disable children (PERKATA Sarawak). There were got to see how the children were taught and trained to be self-independent (e.g.: doing grocery shopping in the market and cooking for themselves). When we were brought to visit their classroom, the children were very happy and excited, non –stop waving and smiling back at us. Everyone had a cheerful soul. Besides just learning, there is also a physiotherapist who comes to the school to help those who have difficulty in walking. I’m really touched by the efforts of the teachers and caretakers in that school, building up the confidence in the children, helping them in learning despite their condition. For me, that was really a meaningful and unforgettable experience.

Post lunch, we were brought to the Sarawak General Hospital. The hospital setting reminds me of Kasturba Hospital back in Manipal, India. We visited the dental specialist clinic which consists of Oral Surgery department, Pedodontics and Oral Pathology and Medicine department. We got a clearly picture of the job scope as a FYDO and permanent DO while we were there.

On the last day, we visited a private clinic in the morning. Dr.Tan of PMG Dental Clinic shared with us his experience with the government, the reason he left and the steps he took to set up the clinic. He highlighted to us the differences being in public health service and going private. He did gave a clear picture of what to expect after the 2 years of compulsory government service, some tips on private clinical practices which were indeed very valuable. 

In the afternoon, we were brought to the headquarters of the Ministry of Health Sarawak. There we met Dr.Roslina. She shared with us the posting system in Sarawak, what are the expectations required of dental officers, a little about the divisions of Sarawak. Later, Dr.Chia, the Timbalan Pengarah Kesihatan Pergigian of Sarawak joined us for a meet-and-greet session. He and Dr.Roslina warmly welcome us to join the Sarawak dental team in the future and that ends our official visit in Kuching.

As a whole, Kuching doesn’t seem to be a bad place to serve. The place is actually a little like Malacca, not at all rural and lacking. Of course, there are so many other places in Sarawak which others consider as “rural” but so long there is an internet connection, I’m fine with it. Hope you enjoy this write up. Till next time, Bye!

Ps: Thank you Kuching Dental Team for having us there. We love all the refreshments you prepared for us. Hope we do cross paths in the future. :)

Photos courtesy of: Bong, Chen Wei, Aminah, Syasya