SINGAPORE DENTAL COUNCIL

Annual Report

2016

The Singapore Dental Council is

the self-regulatory body for the

dental professions constituted

under the Dental Registration Act

(Chapter 76). Its key objectives

are to promote high standards of

oral health and to promote the

interests of the dental profession

in Singapore.

1

Contents President’s Message The Singapore Dental Council

2 3

Council Members and Secretariat

4

Appointed Committees

5

Dentists and Oral Health Therapists Registration

8

Professional Conduct

14

Financial Report

16

Statement by Council’s Management

18

Independent Auditor’s Report to Members of Singapore Dental Council

19

Financial Statements

22

Notes to the Financial Statements

26

Detailed Statement of Comprehensive Income

42

2

President’s Message

The Singapore Dental Council is the self-regulatory body for the dental

professions constituted under the Dental Registration Act (Chapter 76). Its key objectives are to promote high standards of oral health and professionalism as well as to promote the interests of the dental profession in Singapore

When carrying out and conducting its regulatory functions in implementing policy and processes, the Council strives to address and allay developments in the dental landscape and takes these into note when deliberating on issues on the ground.

A matter which Council takes very seriously is the supervision of dentists under Conditional Registration and OHTs under Part II of the OHT register for which Sections 14A(4) and 21A(4) of the Dental Registration Act (DRA) stipulate work under supervision of a fully registered dentist in a particular employment approved by Council. Council encourages all conditional registered dentists and their supervising dentists to adhere strictly to these requirements.

I take this opportunity to thank Council members and members of the various committees for their dedication in carrying out their duties and for their experience and expertise in making contributions towards the various issues and concerns. I also express my appreciation to Secretariat for their hard work in administering the policies carried out.

PROFESSOR CHEW CHONG LIN PRESIDENT

SINGAPORE DENTAL COUNCIL

3

The Singapore Dental Council

Council Members with Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Health

at the Dentist’s Pledge Affirmation Ceremony 2016 Back row: Dr Chng Chai Kiat, Dr Ho Kee Hay @ Ho Kee Hai, Dr Aw Kian-Li Andrew, Dr Shahul Hameed Middle row: Dr Choo Keang Hai, Dr Chan Siew Luen, Dr Ang Ee Peng Raymond Front row: Ms Lee Yong Ching Margaret, Prof Chew Chong Lin , Minister Gan Kim Yong, Clin A/Prof Tseng Seng Kwong Patrick, , Ms Lee Show Feai Not in photo: Dr George Yi-Wei Soh

4

Council Members (Term from 1 May 2015 to 30 April 2018)

President

Prof Chew Chong Lin1

Registrar Clin A/Prof Tseng Seng Kwong Patrick2

Appointed Members Dr Chan Siew Luen Dr Shahul Hameed Ms Lee Show Feai3

Ms Lee Yong Ching Margaret4

Elected Members Dr Ang Ee Peng Raymond

Dr Aw Kian-Li Andrew Dr Choo Keang Hai

Dr Ho Kee Hay @ Ho Kee Hai Dr George Yi-Wei Soh

Secretariat (as at 31 December 2016)

Executive Secretary Dr Chng Chai Kiat

Assistant Executive Secretary Dr Ng Jing Jing Assistant Executive Secretary Dr Chay Pui Ling

Inspecting Officer Dr Chen Fee Yuen5 Senior Manager Ms Yee Yoke Chun

Assistant Manager Ms Jerlynn Tan Management Support Officer Ms Norisah Ahmad Management Support Officer Mr Ng Jie Jun

1 The Council shall have a President who shall be elected by the members of the Council from among its members. 2 Clin A/Professor Tseng Seng Kwong Patrick is the Chief Dental Officer at the Ministry of Health 3 Ms Lee Show Feai is a registered dentist in the second division of the Register of Dentists 4 Ms Lee Yong Ching Margaret is a registered oral health therapist 5 Dr Chen Fee Yuen is a part-time officer

5

Appointed Committees (as at 31 December 2016)

Complaints Panel

The Chairman of the Complaints Panel appoints Complaints Committees on an ad-hoc basis to inquire into complaints made or information given to the Council. The following are appointed members of the Complaints Panel:

Chairman Dr Ho Kee Hay @ Ho Kee Hai6

Members

Council Members

Dr Ang Ee Peng Raymond Dr Aw Kian-Li Andrew Dr Chan Siew Luen Dr Choo Keang Hai Ms Lee Show Feai

Ms Lee Yong Ching Margaret Dr Shahul Hameed

Dr George Yi-Wei Soh

Dentists Dr Chee Oon Lin Serene

Dr Cheong Kim Yan Dr Chung Kong Mun Dr Djeng Shih Kien

Dr Eu Oy Chu Dr Go Wee Ser Dr Goh Bee Tin

Dr Hwang Yee Cheau Dr Kaan Sheung Kin

Dr Koh Chu Guan Dr Lee Chi Hong Bruce

Dr Lee Kim Chuan Lewis Dr Lee Yew Keong David

Dr Leung Wing Hung Dominic Dr Lim Sor Kheng

Dr Loganathan Vijayan Dr Looh Fan Chee @ Loh Fun Chee

Dr Loh Kai Woh Ronald Dr Loh Poey Ling

Dr Mok Yuen Yue Betty A/Prof Neo Chiew Lian Jennifer

6 The Council shall appoint a member of the Complaints Panel who is a member of the Council to be the chairman of the Complaints Panel

Dr Ong Kheng Kok

Dr Ong Meng Ann Marianne Dr Rajendram Sivagnanam

Dr Tan Chin Hwee Dr Tay Lai Hock Alphonsus

Dr Teoh Khim Hean Dr Wong Soon May Adeline

Oral Health Therapists

Ms Goo Sok Huan Ms Juginder Kaur

Ms Satya Bhama Devi d/o Narpat Panday Ms Tan Chor Khim

Ms Wong Lee Fon Serene

Lay Persons A/Prof Audrey Chia Dr Chong Jin Long

Mr Chua Thiam Huat Clin Prof Fock Kwong Ming

Dr Tyrone Goh Mr Mansoor Hassanbhai

Mr Philip Leong Mr Lim Yew Tou Eric

Mr Stanley Low Mr Vijai Parwani

Dr Rachael Pereira Mrs Noorhayati Quek (Mrs Noor Quek)

A/Prof Victor R Savage A/Prof Tay Cho Jui

6

Panel of Chairman of Disciplinary Committee

Members Dr Chen Nah Nah

Dr Djeng Shih Kien Dr Go Wee Ser

Dr Hwang Yee Cheau Dr Leung Wing Hung Dominic

Dr Looh Fan Chee @ Loh Fun Chee Dr Loh Hong Sai

Dr Long Benjamin Charles A/Prof Neo Chiew Lian Jennifer

Credentials Committee

Chairman Dr Chan Siew Luen

Members

Dr Aw Kian-Li Andrew A/Prof Neo Chiew Lian Jennifer

Dr Ong Kheng Kok Dr Shahul Hameed

A/Prof Tan Beng Choon Keson

Oral Health Therapists Accreditation Committee

Chairman Clin A/Prof Tseng Seng Kwong Patrick

Members

Division I Dentists Dr Anshad s/o Ansari

Dr Eu Oy Chu Dr Hemalatha Nathan

Dr Koh Chu Guan

Oral Health Therapists Ms Lee Yong Ching Margaret Ms Poon Chew King Judith

Ms Soon Lay Yong Ms Sree Gaithiri d/o Kunnasegaran

Ms Tham Kui Wah

Audit Committee

Chairman Dr Ang Ee Peng Raymond

Members

Dr Ho Kee Hay @ Ho Kee Hai Mr Ng Weng Sui Harry Dr George Yi-Wei Soh

7

Continuing Professional Education Committee

Chairman Dr Choo Keang Hai

Members

Dr Ang Ee Peng Raymond Dr Eu Oy Chu

Dr Ho Kee Hay @ Ho Kee Hai A/Prof Neo Chiew Lian Jennifer

Dr Ong Meng Ann Marianne

Aesthetic Facial Procedures Oversight Committee for Dentistry

Chairman Dr Chan Siew Luen

Members

Dr Leung Wing Hung Dominic Dr Lye Kok Weng Dr Seah Tian Ee

Dr Tan Kwong Shen Winston

Ethics Committee

Chairman Professor Chew Chong Lin

Members

Dr Ang Ee Peng Raymond Dr Asha Karunakaran

A/Prof Foong Weng Chiong Kelvin Ms Lee Yong Ching Margaret

Dr Long Benjamin Charles Dr Shahul Hameed

Dr Wong Soon May Adeline

Review Dentists Act Committee

Chairman Dr Chng Chai Kiat

Members

Dr Chan Siew Luen Dr Choo Keang Hai

Ms Lee Yong Ching Margaret Dr Long Benjamin Charles

8

Dentists & Oral Health Therapists Registration

DENTIST REGISTER As at 31 December 2016, there were 2198 registered dentists. Table 1: Number of registered dentists as at 31 December 2016

2016 General

Dental Practitioners Dental

Specialists

Grand Total Registration

Type

Pu

blic

Se

cto

r

Pri

va

te S

ec

tor

Oth

ers

*

Ge

ne

ral

De

nta

l

Pra

cti

tio

ne

rs T

ota

l

Pu

blic

Se

cto

r

Pri

va

te S

ec

tor

Oth

ers

*

Den

tal

Sp

ec

ialis

ts

To

tal

Full Registration

337 1134 39 1510 99 219 8 326 1836

Conditional Registration

20 291 21 332 1 0 0 1 333

Temporary Registration

23 0 0 23 6 0 0 6 29

Grand Total

380 1425 60 1865 106 219 8 333 2198

*Not available / Not indicated There were 201 new dentist registrations in 2016, of which 55 were local graduates from the Faculty of Dentistry of the National University of Singapore and 57 dentists were converted to Full Registration from Conditional Registration. 87 had basic dental qualifications in the Schedule to the Dental Registration Act and were registered under Conditional Registration while two were under Temporary Registration. Figure 1 represents the breakdown of registered dentists into general dental practitioners and dental specialists. Figures 2 and 3 respectively show the breakdown of the dentists by division and by gender.

9

Figures 4 and 5 show the dentists and specialists against their respective categories of type

of registration.

General Dental Practitioners

Total; 1865; 85%

Dental Specialists Total; 333; 15%

Figure 1: Registered Dentists (General Dental Practitioners

vs Specialists)

Div I; 2151; 98%

Div II; 47; 2%

Figure 2: Dentists by Division

Male; 1119; 51%

Female; 1079; 49%

Figure 3: Dentists by Gender

10

Figures 6 and 7 reflect the employment sectors of the dentists and specialists respectively.

Full Registration;

326; 98%

Conditional Registration

; 1; 0%Temporary

Registration; 6; 2%

Figure 5: Dental Specialists by Registration Type

Full Registration;

1510; 81%

Conditional Registration;

332; 18%Temporary

Registration; 23; 1%

Figure 4: General Dental Practitioners

by Registration Type

Public; 380; 20%

Private; 1425; 77%

Others; 60; 3%

Figure 6: General Dental Practitioners

by Employment Sector

Public; 106; 32%

Private; 219; 66%

Others; 8; 2%

Figure 7: Dental Specialists

by Employment Sector

11

Figures 8 and 9 represent the training of the registered dentists.

Figure 10 shows the breakdown of the dental specialists into the seven recognised

specialties.

Local; 55; 27%

Overseas; 146; 73%

Figure 9: Dentists Registered in 2016

(Local-trainedvs Overseas-trained)

Dental Public Health; 5; 1%

Endodontics; 39; 12%

Oral & Maxillofacial

Surgery; 62; 19%

Orthodontics; 100; 30%

Paediatric Dentistry;

22; 7%

Periodontics; 41; 12%

Prosthodontics; 64; 19%

Figure 10: Dental Specialists

Local; 1426; 65%

Overseas; 772; 35%

Figure 8: Registered Dentists

(Local-trained vs Overseas-trained)

12

ORAL HEALTH THERAPIST REGISTER Table 2: Number of registered oral health therapists as at 31 December 2016

Employment Sector

Part I Part II

Grand Total

Dental Therapist

/ Hygienist

Dental Therapist

Dental Hygienist

Dental Therapist

/ Hygienist

Dental Therapist

Dental Hygienist

Private Sector

29 0 0 79 3 17 128

Restructured Institution

14 1 1 13 0 0 29

Statutory Board

8 133 0 48 9 2 200

Unknown*

2 14 0 23 2 3 44

Grand Total

53 148 1 163 14 22 401

*Not available / Not indicated

OHTs under Part I of the Register are allowed to work independently within the prescribed

scope of dentistry and work in collaboration with a Division I dentist by referral. OHTS under

Part II of the Register must work under the supervision of registered dentists in Division I of

the Register of Dentists. Figure 11 illustrates the OHTs by registration type.

Part IDental

Therapist / Hygienist; 53; 13%

Part IDental

Therapist, 148, 37%

Part IDental Hygienist; 1; 0%

Part IIDental

Therapist / Hygienist; 163; 41%

Part IIDental

Therapist; 14; 4%

Part IIDental

Hygienist; 22; 5%

Figure 11: OHT by Registration Type

13

Figure 12 shows the distribution of OHTs by employment sector.

Figures 13 and 14 represent the breakdown of OHTs by Part of registration and by gender.

Part I; 202; 50%

Part II; 199; 50%

Figure 13: Oral Health Therapists by Part

Private Sector; 128;

32%

Restructured Institutions;

29; 7%

Statutory Boards; 200;

50%

Unknown; 44; 11%

Figure 12: Number of OHT by Employment Sector

Male; 48; 12%

Female; 353; 88%

Figure 14: Oral Health Therapists by Gender

14

Professional Conduct Provisions in the Dental Registration Act empower Council to inquire into complaints that are given in writing and supported by a statutory declaration. This requirement cuts out vexatious complaints and ensures that the complainant and the dental professional responding to the complaint are fairly and evenly treated. A Complaints Committee appointed from the Complaints Panel will deliberate on the complaint made or information given, and make its due inquiry and report to Council its findings and the orders made. In 2016, there were 12 statutory declaration complaints received, of which two cases were

dismissed, four cases were issued with a letter of advice, two cases were issued with a letter

of warning and two cases were escalated for a formal inquiry by a Disciplinary Committee.

There was a complaint which was withdrawn by the complainant and another which is held

in abeyance in relation to a Disciplinary Committee inquiry involving the same dentist.

Table 3: Statutory Declaration complaints received

Wit

hd

raw

n

Dis

mis

se

d

Le

tte

r o

f A

dvic

e

Le

tte

r o

f W

arn

ing

Refe

rre

d t

o D

C

(Co

nclu

ded

)

Refe

rre

d t

o D

C

(Pe

nd

ing

)

Ad

jou

rne

d t

o 2

017

(Pe

nd

ing

CC

co

nclu

sio

n)

Oth

ers

Total

2012 1 4 2 1 8

2013 3 1 3 2 9

2014 1 4 1 1 6

2015 3 2 4 9

2016 1 2 8 1 2 12 1 Scheduled for January 2018 2 Held in abeyance

Treatment-related complaints formed the majority of complaints, with most involving

dissatisfaction with treatment outcomes and unethical or unprofessional behaviour. Other

aspects complained about were miscommunication issues and treatment fees.

Unexpected adverse outcomes, perceived shortcoming in the quality of care and

unexpected costs are usually attributed to the inadequacy of provision of information during

consultation and prior to the treatment being rendered.

15

Council stresses on the importance of informed consent where it is the onus of the dental

professional to ensure that the patient is adequately informed about the dental condition and

options for treatment so as to be able to participate in decisions about the treatment. The

patient should be made aware of the benefits, risks and possible complications of

procedures and alternatives available.

Through the force of legislation under the Dental Registration Act as well as through

reference to the Ethical Code and Guidelines, Council implores that dental professionals

maintain currency and be familiar with both documents, and in so doing, uphold the highest

standards of professional practice and conduct.

Maintaining the public image of the professional requires the constant and personal

responsibility of every practitioner.

16

Financial Report

Council retained the services of Andes Consulting Pte Ltd as our accounting consultant and Audit Alliance as our auditing consultant for the financial year 2017. The audited financial statements for the period 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017 are reproduced in the following pages

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

Dentist’s Pledge Affirmation Ceremony

19 August 2016

44

Singapore Dental Council

16 College Road #01-01

College of Medicine Building

Singapore 169854