Welcome Messages
I would like to express my gratitude to the Dean and NDSSC organizers, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, for hosting this auspicious event. The aims of this conference are to enhance the exchange of ideas, collaboration and knowledge in the field of dentistry among dental students in this country. It is an important platform for sharing of experiences using technologies in clinical practice and research activities, which may also initiate collaboration discussions between participants. It is indeed an avenue for all dental researchers and practitioners to share their experience and future research insight that will enlighten the future of oral health care towards enhancing evidence-based decisions in the oral health care delivery system.
With the theme "Crystalizing the Future of Dental Science: Igniting Innovation and Excellence", this conference is very significant, indeed timely and would be impactful for the future generation of dentists in this country. Their research initiative, innovative skills and knowledge already reflect the urgent need for us to train our undergraduate students dynamically for the future. Our goal is to build a generation of dentists for the nation and the world which can incorporate the latest technologies and research findings in their clinical practice - a skill-based and holistic approach to develop potential individuals to fulfil the country's aspirations.
I believe that the sharing of views and experiences as well as best practices throughout this conference will help chart the way forward for us in developing a better higher education ecosystem, particularly in strengthening the talent among the participants who are from the field of dentistry.
Once again, my deepest gratitude to all involved. Your determination, dedication and commitment will ensure the success of this event. I wish the participants all the best and hope that you will have a fruitful conference.
Yang Amat Berbahagia Toh Puan Dato’ Seri Hajjah Dr. Aishah Ong
Pro-Chancellor
Universiti Malaya
I would like to congratulate the organizing committee of 15th NDSSC for organizing this event. It is through their hard work and perseverance that this conference is a reality. Online learning and meetings had been the norm for us for more than 2 years now- it is time that we gather again physically to progress our research skill and knowledge at a greater speed. Despite having to deal with changes in the learning mechanism, the dental team had managed to go one step further in conducting a full-blown national-level conference by gathering all the dental students from all over the country in Universiti Malaya.
A big thank you to Smile Link Healthcare E Global Berhad, HALEON, Osstem Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Q&M Dental Surgery (Selatan) Sdn Bhd, and MBD Marketing Sdn Bhd for your support in this conference. It is always good to have our industrial partners to show interest in the progress of our dental students. Hopefully this collaboration will continue in the future and together, Universiti Malaya with the help of these industrial giants will be able to pave the way for producing future health leaders.
I was told that the theme for this year’s conference would be ‘Crystalizing the Future of Dental Science: Igniting Innovation and Excellence ". I’m happy to see that the dental industry is being revolutionized today by advances and innovation in digital dentistry that allow professionals to work more efficiently: new and stronger materials used for dental treatment, utilizing 3-D printing that can turn models into solid objects. Dentistry is a profession which prides itself on being on the cutting edge of both scientific research and technology. I am proud to see our dentists in Malaysia being taught to always to look forward towards to new advancements.
The approach of evidence- based dentistry is to shift focus away from intuition, anecdote, and received wisdom, and instead toward the conclusions derived from rigorous clinical research. Prevention and evidence-based care have become key concepts for improving the quality of oral health.
This national conference is the right avenue to start a revolution of sharing of knowledge, skills and research ideas to derive new discoveries in dentistry. Just like our proud university’s motto: “Ilmu Punca Kemajuan”, we first need knowledge before we can make progress. I do hope that all the participants of this conference will not only to try to gain as much knowledge as much as possible, but also take the chance to share their views and experiences. Together, we can shape a better world for our future.
From the itinerary that was provided to me, I can see many interesting topics being presented in the conference. I am glad that we will be hearing not only from distinguished speakers in the field, but almost 250 undergraduate students from Universiti Malaya and other institutions presenting various research projects, skills and talents.
Finally, I would like to once again express my gratitude and congratulations to the Honorable Dean of Faculty of Dentistry, and the organizing committee for successfully organizing the 15th National Dental Student Scientific Conference.
Thank you for inviting me to be a part of this conference. I wish you all a good day and best of luck to all the participants who are competing in the conference.
Professor Dato’ Ir. Dr. Mohd. Hamdi Abd. Shukor
Vice-Chancellor
Universiti Malaya
First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all of you who participate in our upcoming event, the 15th NDSSC. Your presence definitely underscores your commitment to the pursuit of knowledge, innovation, and collaboration. This conference will serve as a platform for sharing groundbreaking research, exploring new frontiers, and fostering meaningful connections among dental researchers from around the country.
The theme of this year’s conference, “Crystalizing the Future of Dental Science: Igniting Innovation and Excellence", is a testament to our collective determination to address the pressing challenges of our time. It reflects our unwavering belief in the power of research to transform societies, bring innovation, and upscale our skills, creativity and knowledge. On this day, I am sure that we will witness engaging presentations, thought-provoking discussions, and invaluable networking opportunities.
This conference represents an interdisciplinary gathering of experts from various fields and specializations. We will have participants from academia and students of public and private universities around the country, all of whom bring diverse perspectives and expertise. Such diversity sparks innovation, encourages cross-pollination of ideas, and nurtures the collaborative spirit that lies at the heart of scientific advancement.
Throughout this event, you will have the opportunity to learn from the brightest minds in dentistry, engage in stimulating conversations, and forge partnerships that can lead to groundbreaking discoveries. We have carefully curated a rich program of research presentations, dentistry-related activities, and competitions to ensure a truly enriching experience for all of us.
I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our esteemed VVIP and invited Deans who have graciously agreed to share their insights and expertise with us. Their invaluable contributions will undoubtedly inspire and motivate us to push the boundaries of our research endeavors.
Furthermore, I would like to express my gratitude to our dedicated chairperson and organizing committee. Their tireless efforts and generous support have been instrumental in bringing this conference to fruition. Without their commitment and enthusiasm, this event would not have been possible.
Lastly, I encourage each and every one of you to actively participate in the conference proceedings, seize every opportunity to connect with fellow researchers, and embrace the spirit of collaboration. Your contributions and interactions on that day will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of future research and have a lasting impact on the global scientific community.
Once again, I extend my warmest welcome to all of you. Let us embark on this exciting journey of knowledge exchange, exploration, and discovery.
Thank you.
Professor Dr. Zamri Bin Radzi
Dean
Faculty of Dentistry
Universiti Malaya
Welcome to the 15th National Dental Students’ Scientific Conference. It is a proud moment to be able to see highly motivated, intelligent, and hard-working dental students of the nation congregate in this event where they will be able to compete, share knowledge and ideas, as well as strengthen the relationship between dental institutions across Malaysia.
This year’s conference theme “Crystalizing the Future of Dental Science: Igniting Innovation and Excellence" encompasses the prime values in our budding dentists. In this meeting of distinction, you will find a delightfully enriching program that will engage participants in all aspects. This platform would let us see our youth perform to their full potential and wave their institutional flag in a race to raise as the champion.
It is hoped that you can use the opportunity of this meeting to forge strong collaborations beyond this day, build new friendships and work together in driving creativity, solving future problems in dentistry as you grow to be the leaders in the field.
Last but not the least, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in making today an unforgettable event; the Deans Council for supporting UM as this year’s host; the endless dedication from the organizing committee to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all; the strong support from our sponsors who continuously believe in cultivating dental students; the dental student bodies, Malaysian Dental Students Association and the Universiti Malaya Dental Society (DENSOC) for promoting the event across Malaysia; and our participants, the dental students, for the spirit of healthy competition.
Thank you.
Associate Professor Dr. Wan Nurazreena Wan Hassan
Deputy Dean (Undergraduate)
Faculty of Dentistry
Universiti Malaya
This is the time of the year again - our dental students from all over the country will take center stage at this 15th National Dental Students' Scientific Conference held at the Institute of Research Management & Monitoring (IPPP), Universiti Malaya (UM). We are proud to announce that for the second time after 14 years, UM will host this auspicious event.
This annual conference is an excellent opportunity for dental students from all over Malaysia to connect, interact, and network with their peers from other dental schools. The theme for this year's conference is "Crystalizing the Future of Dental Science: Igniting Innovation and Excellence", and it promises to be an engaging and thought-provoking event. Our theme will definitely resonate with many in the field of research. Research itself is a creative and innovative activity; requiring researchers to think outside of the box. We learn to be creative and innovative by experimenting, exploring, questioning assumptions, using imagination and synthesizing information. All events in this conference will give great opportunities for dental students to flex their creative and innovative minds beyond the boundaries of traditional teaching methodologies.
Without doubt, this conference is meant for all dental students. We will spare no expense to prepare the stage, but it is going to be their moment in the limelight. The day will be the ultimate culmination of all their hard work for the past few years. As they present their findings and showcase their knowledge and skills for all to see, their dedication and commitment to dentistry will be evident. Everyone is waiting with bated breath to witness all this on that special day. I wish all participants the best of luck and hope that they will cherish this precious experience for some time to come.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the organizing committee, volunteers, and sponsors for their valuable time and contributions to this event, without which this event would not be a reality. They are the best and can perform miracles within such a short period!
I look forward to seeing you at the conference!
Associate Professor Dr. Chen Yeng
Chairperson of 15th National Dental Students' Scientific Conference
Dear Esteemed Professors/Doctors/Dental Students and Distinguished Guests,
On behalf of the Universiti Malaya Dental Student Society (UM DENSOC), it is my utmost pleasure to extend a warm and sincere welcome to all participants attending the 15th National Dental Students Scientific Conference (NDSSC) 2023.
Under the theme "Crystalizing the Future of Dental Science: Igniting Innovation and Excellence," this year's conference promises to be an exceptional gathering for dental students nationwide, marking the much-awaited return of the NDSSC in its physical form after the Covid-19 pandemic.
While the main highlight of the conference remains the research competitions, we have expanded the horizons to encompass a variety of innovative and exciting activities, allowing students to showcase their diverse talents in fields beyond dentistry. We believe that nurturing well-rounded individuals who excel not only in their academic pursuits but also in other areas of interest will contribute to a brighter and more vibrant future for dental science. From captivating “Art on Wax” and Wire Bending, exhilarating talent performances to thought-provoking entrepreneurial ideas through “Design Your Dental Clinic”, there is something for everyone to embrace and explore.
I encourage everyone to seize this invaluable opportunity to engage, learn, and connect with fellow dental students, esteemed faculty members, and renowned experts in the field. Embrace the chance to learn from one another, share your own experiences, and forge meaningful connections that will endure beyond the confines of this event.
On behalf of the student organizing committee, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the main organizing committees, sponsors, faculty members, and the dental community for their unwavering support. Without their generosity and guidance, this conference would not have been possible.
Once again, join us as we embark on a crystal celebration, marking the joyous 15-year anniversary of the National Dental Students Scientific Conference, a testament to our dedication in igniting excellence in dentistry.
Sincerely,
Tan Siok Lian
President
Universiti Malaya Dental Student Society Session 2022/2023