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