“Why do you want to be a dentist?” That was the question posed by the Head of the Department of Prosthetic Dentistry during the admissions interview for incoming students at the National University of Singapore’s four-year dental program. Fresher Ms Quah Joo Ee responded with a mischievous smile: “Because I’m a sadist.”
While many patients might relate to that sentiment with a nervous chuckle, Dr Quah has spent a career dispelling such fears. She not only put patients at ease in the dental chair but often went beyond in her care. “I once forgot to advise a patient to store her dentures in water when not in use, as they could warp,” she recalls. “I ended up traveling quite a distance to her home just to explain this to her personally.”
Such anecdotes are woven throughout the newly released anthology, “Transcending the Pearly Whites: Interesting Life Journeys of Dental Surgeons” edited by Dr Loh Hong Sai and published by World Scientific. The book is a rich tapestry of personal reflections from over 40 alumni of the Faculty of Dentistry at NUS. Released in celebration of the faculty’s 95th anniversary, the collection offers far more than clinical insights; it presents deeply human stories of resilience, reinvention and purpose.
Dr Loh shares a candid recollection of his early days in dental school: “Our orientation lasted three weeks during which freshers had to wear a green tie to be identified,” he writes. “We had to greet seniors with the phrase, Good morning, may I have the single honor, double pleasure and triple ecstasy of knowing your name, sir?”
Those seniors who once ragged the young and nervous Dr Loh might have been embarrassed to learn that he would later become the second Dean of the NUS Faculty of Dentistry. As Professor Lim Pin, former Vice-Chancellor of NUS notes in the book’s foreword: “Dr Loh brought dentistry in Singapore to the international stage through student exchange programs and formal collaborations with leading dental schools abroad.”
Dr Loh’s contributions have been widely recognized. He is listed on the Roll of Honor of the Singapore Dental Association, has received the Friend of Labor Award from NTUC, and served as President of the World Federation for Laser Dentistry.
One piece of advice worth remembering? “Always wear a tie in the clinic,” Dr Loh writes tongue-in-cheek. “Apart from looking smart, my teacher informed me that when a patient experiences anxiety or pain, he would reach out and grab whatever is in sight. This was especially the case with children. So the tie comes in handy, otherwise some part of our anatomy—at waist level—might be at risk of being attacked.”
The 288-page volume, enriched with color photographs, is structured as a series of personal essays. These narratives span generations—from trailblazing pioneers to recent graduates—and reflect a broad spectrum of experiences. The writing is engaging, often humorous and deeply personal, making the book accessible not only to dental professionals but also to students, educators and general readers interested in the world of dentistry.
Some notable quotes and quips paraphrased from the book—in alphabetical order by author:
• Anon: “Dentistry is more than the tooth, the whole tooth and nothing but the tooth—that’s the truth.”
• Dr A Pathmanathan: “Dentistry opened amazing doors in life, not just professionally, but personally and spiritually as well.”
• Dr Chan Siew Luen: “Dentistry, politics, philanthropy, philosophy. The mouth may be small, but the impact can be vast.”
• Dr Chew Chong Lin: “We were not just building teeth; we were building futures. Every student who walked through our doors carried the potential to transform lives.”
• Dr Christopher Sim: “Discipline on the football field translated into discipline in the clinic. The roar of the crowd became the quiet satisfaction of healing.”
• Dr David K L Tay: “My father, mentor and friend. Dentistry was our bond, but love was our legacy.”
• Dr Edmund M H Tay, Founding Dean, Faculty of Dentistry: “Dental education should produce a graduate who is biologically oriented, technically capable, socially sensitive and is fully aware of his/her contribution to the total health of patients through dentistry.”
• Dr Irene Lee: “Grace is not the absence of struggle, but the ability to rise with dignity. Dentistry gave me the tools; life gave me the tests.”
• Dr Johnny Lee Moh Hiong: “The tools may be the same, but the spirit behind them makes all the difference.”
• Dr Johnathan Chew: “Dentistry taught me precision and patience. Cooking taught me creativity and courage. MasterChef was where both worlds collided.”
• Dr Lee Wa Hock: “In a faraway land, there is also a horizon. Dentistry gave me the courage to chase it.”
• Dr Mark E Wong: “My dental journey was a global experience. From Singapore to the world, the lessons remained universal.”
• Dr Myra Elliott: “My journey in dentistry was anything but ordinary. It was a path of unexpected turns, each one teaching me something new about myself.”
• Dr Ng Chin Siau, Founder of Q&M Dental Group: “Entrepreneurship in dentistry is not about profit; it’s about scaling care. Every clinic is a promise to a community.”
• Dr Peter Tay Seng Hui: “Vision is the first step to transformation. I saw myself as more than a dentist—and I became that.”
• Dr Sum Chee Peng: “As dentists we do more than people realize—and often in silence.”
• Dr Tan Yoke Sing: “My practice was always about more than procedures; it was about principles.”
• Dr Teh Boon Teik: “Dentistry has its serious moments, but also its share of laughter.”
• Dr Victor Lee: “Bringing dental care to Singaporeans was never just a degree; it was a mission.”
• Dr Yeoh Saw Ean June: “Embracing life’s seasons and finding purpose; that’s what dentistry helped me do.”
The final word belongs to Dr Quah, whose husband Bill Liu became a spouse member of the alumni group and actively participated in the annual reunion trips organized by the NUS Dentistry Class of 1972 (D72). “Bill was the only male spouse at our Penang reunion—a thorn among a dozen roses—during our visit to the herbal gardens,” Dr Quah recalls. “Thanks to his enthusiastic involvement in helping organize these gatherings, Bill was later conferred the title of honorary D72 member.”
This book is not just a celebration of dentistry but a resource for students considering dentistry as a career, parents seeking insight into the profession’s potential, educators looking for real-life examples of success and transformation, and general readers interested in human stories of perseverance and purpose.
Order a copy from World Scientific: (WSASOC20 for 20% off).
Order a copy from Kinokuniya: Singapore.