I have practiced children’s dentistry for over 40 years, and not a moment has gone by which is dull or boring.

Shortly after graduation from the National University of Singapore’s Faculty of Dentistry in 1983, I was stationed at Singapore’s first stand-alone School Dental clinic at Pegu Road. In those days scores of children would line up outside the clinic to be treated daily. This was where I discovered my calling in paediatric dentistry.

Five years later in 1988, I left for Bristol, UK to pursue a 2-year Masters Degree specialisation in Child Dental Health. During this time, I developed an interest in the treatment of children with special needs and medical conditions.

Upon my return to Singapore in 1990, I practised hospital-based dentistry at Mount Elizabeth Orchard where I worked closely with medical doctors for sick children – in particular, those undergoing surgery and cancer treatment.

This led me to set up a school dental clinic for the Special Needs students of Rainbow Centre Margaret Drive in 1992. Till this day, I remain Founding Director and Clinical Governance Officer of this clinic, where I still volunteer my time and services treating the children there for the last 30 years.

Somehow, I managed to find the time to also be a founding member of AWWA’s (Asian Woman’s Welfare Association) volunteer woman’s dental clinic in 2006.

Although my professional history is tied to that of Singapore’s evolving healthcare and community service landscape, I remain a lifelong learner and constantly keep up with the advances in the field of dentistry. I regularly familiarise myself with new techniques and the latest dental materials available.

Still, the principles of children’s dentistry remain as timeless as parenthood itself. And there is nothing more I love than to bring my years of knowledge and experience to help shape the dental health of tomorrow’s children.