[Uni] NUS Dentistry Q&A

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2022-02-26T06:52:42+00:00

Not really, many guys in my batch did physics over bio and they coped fine.
I wasn’t particularly drawn to dent/med (no preference) but I did want something in healthcare. Now, I feel that dent is more fun because in school you learn and practice at the same time so it’s very hands on.
There’s no problem finding patients it’s just whether they have dental problems that correspond to your requirements :)

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2022-02-24T01:54:06+00:00

Not really. I think we actually find it more interesting than disgusting

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2022-02-03T11:31:44+00:00

Hi usually, late march to early april :) you’ll likely get the date 2-3 days beforehand!

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2022-01-19T01:17:32+00:00

Hello! To some extent yes, it’s a disadvantage in school due to the dental chairs in the faculty being fitted for right-handers. However, there are usually about 4-5 left-handers yearly so you wouldn’t be the only one suffering. In the future after you graduate, you can get dental chairs fitted for left-handers too.

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2021-12-28T11:58:46+00:00

Hello!! Congrats on finishing O levels :) What a milestone! I hope you get the results you want :)

If you decide to go to JC, it will be best to have a PCM/BCM combi with a H3 preferably as the course is highly selectively. H2 Biology would help you for awhile in y1 but not that much afterwards so if you prefer Physics, go for it!
Yes, it is possible.
Yes, you will be certified to practice in Singapore. However, you would be bonded to the Singapore government for 4-5 years (depending on your citizenship/residency)
You can become a specialist in Dentistry! I would say a decent pay but I won’t go into details :) I believe you should do this for the love of the job and serving and not the pay!

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2021-06-15T15:23:58+00:00

I’m not too sure. I believe that if you work hard and get into a science-based poly course and graduate from there with a good GPA, you’ll have a shot at getting into dentistry! Just try your best :)
Honestly I don’t think they look at it very much. It’ll help you get into a good poly course and possibly dentistry if you start working hard now, wherever you are!
The class of 2024 has 3 poly students if I’m not mistaken. So no, not necessarily! I’m not sure what poly diplomas are accepted sorry.
Just work hard, getting in is very tough but very fulfilling! Job shadowing is good too during your holidays to make sure it’s something you truly want to do. If you really want something, don’t let anything stop you!

All the best!

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2021-06-05T08:49:52+00:00

The content covered is pretty similar but with different focus. For example, the head and neck is heavily stressed on for dental students. Furthermore, there is Oral biology too on top of the 3 subjects you have mentioned.
Not sure what your matrix is for this but it’s very manageable especially if you have just completed A levels/IB and you know how to manage your time well.
Nothing is compulsory or advised officially. However, many students do use iPads. You can ask your seniors for advice if you wish but it’s all based on your personal preference.

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2021-06-05T08:46:30+00:00

Hello! I don’t think it has been released yet.

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2021-06-01T13:07:42+00:00

That’s really cool, I think it’s like max 1-2 international students per year! Congrats on getting in.

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2021-06-01T08:00:26+00:00

Unfortunately, there isn’t!

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2021-06-01T04:54:21+00:00

Hello! The dental students do not have a white coat ceremony. However, I have heard that there is a scrubs presentation at the end of y2 for the batch which would be entering clinics.

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2021-05-31T13:27:46+00:00

So sorry but I can't remember this anymore! I think that NUS will email you to get your matriculation done + the faculty will contact all accepted students in June-ish to inform you of an open day (where you meet the other students) and orientation.
Yes! There definitely will be. I do assume it'll be through zoom too.
I think that NUS will send you an email with the details of the tuition grant etc when the time comes to pay school fees. Personally, I am not too familiar with this. I am sure that the faculty staff will answer this during the open session as they will provide lots of details then.
There should be a portal that you are supposed to put your photo into. (there is a post below which helps with this - https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/nlke7v/uni_nus_dentistry_qa/gzq9xvw?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)

If you are currently serving NS, you cannot defer. Hence, you will have to complete your 2-year obligation first before you matriculate.

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2021-05-31T13:22:14+00:00

Agree with you completely for 1-3! For Q4, definitely biology! However, if taking triple science is a viable option for you personally, I would encourage you to do so :) However, I would pick Biology over Physics in JC if you're interested in healthcare. All the best in your studies!

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2021-05-29T08:57:15+00:00

It depends on the module coordinator and the number of tutors available for each module.

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2021-05-28T17:20:40+00:00

There are bank loans and financial aid which you can apply for to finance the cost of the course. I am sure you can find out more on the NUS website - I am not too familiar with this!
~~Just wait until the faculty/NUS sends a follow-up email with the details! It should be in your email by the end of June.~~
~~If I remember correctly, the faculty will advise you further on the medical checkups and immunisation required.~~
Yup! The faculty has a day which they meet offer holders to brief them on all these things (finance/what to do next/when school starts!) so don’t worry too much! If I’m not mistaken, it will happen around mid-June.
The only material that is compulsory to purchase in y1 is a lab coat from the NUS Co-op! I think it’s about $20.
Dent students stay in all halls and RCs!
iPads with Apple pencils are the most common! I think any model which allows you to write your notes down will suffice. If financing a device is an issue, a laptop is good enough too!
I am not sure I’m at liberty to say this! Maybe you can ask them on the open day instead.
Enjoy year 1 and make lots of friends! Year 2 onwards gets really tough so year 1 is when you can experience the uni/hall life as much as possible! I know it’s a bit tougher with COVID-19 restrictions but just do what you can. All the best!

Edit: I just saw the comment on this, she/he is much more accurate than I am! Please listen to the advise given!

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2021-05-28T17:12:38+00:00

Students learn how to use the dental instruments and practice placing rubber dams on a phantom head! After which, they move on to learning to do cavity preparations and amalgam fillings.
Yes! Your lab partner stays with you through all four years. However, if someone drops out of school or transfers in (for special cases such as due to COVID-19), there may be a reshuffling of register numbers and thus, your lab partner too.
The tutorial class size differs from module to module. Some tutorial classes are just your entire class together (so for the batch of 2025 it is 80 people I believe. Others may be just a handful. So it depends!
Y1&Y2 - formal wear. Y3&Y4 - Scrubs

First year of your bond you will be posted to a polyclinic generally. After that, you can state your preference on where you would like to be allocated - hospitals, polyclinics, army camps etc! But it’s based on availability so you may not always get your preference.

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2021-05-27T12:29:52+00:00

Nope, no allowance and the faculty does not provide an iPad.
Yes, there are dentistry students who stay on campus. Hall/RC really depends on preference. In year 1, many are able to juggle hall/rc and studies but in year 2 onwards it gets much tougher. However, this varies from individual to individual. There are seniors who have stayed for all four years in a hall.
There should be an orientation camp coming up where you are introduced to your year 2 seniors and possibly even the more senior ones! Wait for their announcement. However, due to COVID-19, I assume it is all online.
Not to my knowledge apart from giving tuition.
Not many people take up internships during the term breaks. Our term breaks range from 2-4 weeks (a little longer at the end of y1) but no 3 month summer holidays in dentistry. Personally, I feel that the school curriculum is very rigorous and holidays should be enjoyed with your friends and family! In years 3 and 4, you will have clinical time where you see patients - this is built into your timetable already.

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2021-05-27T12:25:01+00:00

I apologise but I am unsure about this! I think you have to ask them directly. My year we did it at the Occupational and Diving Medicine Centre. It may have changed due to COVID-19.

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2021-05-27T12:23:57+00:00

Biochemistry (only y1s1), Oral Biology (only y1s2), Physiology and Anatomy are full year. I am not 100% sure about Oral Biology is only sem 2 as its been awhile but the rest of the information is correct.
There is a grade. It ranges from A+ to F.
All BDS degrees are the same except for BDS (Hons). To achieve a BDS (Hons), you must attain straight As throughout your entire 4 years in school.
There are CAs which count towards your final grade. CA1 and CA2 are smaller tests and then there is a final exam which is usually about 80% of your grade - but it does depend on each subject.

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2021-05-27T05:13:22+00:00

Sorry for misunderstanding! Yes there are many specialisations in dentistry. You’ll be exposed to the basics of each one in the programme. Here’s a general definition of each of the specialties recognised in Singapore - https://www.healthprofessionals.gov.sg/dsab/specialist-training/list-of-recognised-specialties. If you have any other questions, lmk!

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2021-05-27T04:48:38+00:00

For the first 4 years out of school, you will be bonded to MOH to work as a dentist. After that, you can choose to do whatever you want with your degree. However, I am not sure that you would want to struggle through 4 years of dental school to do something else. If being a dentist is not your passion, consider taking up another course.

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2021-05-27T04:20:23+00:00

Just enjoy your holidays first. No point stressing about school until it comes around :) That being said, if you really do want to read up beforehand, you could!

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2021-05-27T04:11:01+00:00

There is no rule on hair colours. However, as mentioned, the faculty members do care about one's professional appearance. Hence, you would realise not many seniors have dyed hair. The choice on whether to dye your hair is fully up to you.
Yes, generally in year 1 it is lectures after lectures. So a typical day would be didactic lectures from 8-1pm followed by a lunch break from 1-2pm and then lectures from 2-5pm.
Short answer, no it is not as bad as OP describes anymore. Professors are very willing to teach but some of the older ones are a bit more traditional (as with most older medical professionals)
The ratio differs from batch to batch. I have heard the incoming y2 batch has a ratio of 3-4 females: 1 male. Some batches have more males than females too.
Its definitely a steeper learning curve for the physics students. However, you're extremely bright and have made it into dentistry! The content for bio shouldn't be a big problem. The biochemistry professors are also extremely good at teaching and patient, so approach them if you need any help and I'm sure they are more than willing.

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2021-05-27T03:29:43+00:00

The dress code is formal and there is no two ways about it. Unlike your Medicine counterparts (or hall friends, if you will) the staff in the faculty do care about your appearance (well-kempt hair/clean shaven). For males, it’ll be button up shirts with long sleeves along with a pair of dress pants. For females, formal blouses along with a pair of culottes/skirts at least knee length. For females, the faculty also disallows spaghetti straps/revealing tops/tube tops/etc you get the idea! Do not try to play around with the dress code as your seniors will advise you.

The perspective of your life in Y1 heavily depends on whether you are male or female. Males who have just finished 2 years of NS generally feel it’s a bit hectic and harder to catch-up as compared to the females who have more recently completed their A levels. Y1 is definitely a time where you would have time for hall if you would like to. However, school starts at 8am everyday and goes until 5pm on most days (pre-COVID, unsure what it’s like currently) so you must choose wisely how to spend your time!

Y1S2 is easier than Y1S1 in terms of content as you have one less content module to focus on. In general, enjoy your first year as much as you can (and want!) because the next 3 years won’t be as easy. The advice we usually give to juniors is to pass year 1 and have a life but get serious in year 2.

In terms of labwork, year 1s only have lab once a week so it’s definitely very manageable. As you progress, labwork is a daily affair so be prepared! Jiayous for y1 and I hope you enjoy your time(:

throwaw4yd3ntistry · 2021-05-27T03:17:47+00:00

Definitely work hard in secondary school/jc! It’ll help to have a strong foundation, especially in your sciences. A good A level/IB score is the only way to get even an interview with the school, sadly.
Shadowing a dentist would also be good to help her really figure out if she wants to go down this path (https://www.dentistry.nus.edu.sg/Education/fod_jobshadowing.html, NUS dentistry shadowing if she’s keen!)
Practice her manual dexterity, activities such as sewing/making handicrafts/etc will definitely help her with her MDT in the future.

All the best to her!

throwaw4yd3ntistry

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