UM dentistry postgraduates became part of oral cancer screening program in New Zealand
A team of Malaysian postgraduate students in Special Care Dentistry from Universiti Malaya, accompanied by a faculty member, participated in a five-day academic visit to the University of Otago, New Zealand from February 10 to February 14, 2025. This visit provided valuable exposure to international standards in oral cancer screening and management, particularly among high-risk indigenous populations. The postgraduate students, Dr Marini binti Ismail, Dr Siti Asmak binti Subahir and Dr Lynn Ko, led by their facilitator Dr Jessica Francis, a lecturer in Special Care Dentistry at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya.
Special Care Dentistry is a field of dentistry aimed at improving oral health through a specialist-led, comprehensive treatment plan utilising a holistic approach, addressing the special needs of individuals aged 16 years and above with compromised access to oral health care due to physical, sensory, intellectual, mental, or medical impairments, disabilities, or a combination of these factors. The specialty focuses on providing oral healthcare for individuals with complex medical conditions or disabilities, including cancer patients and individuals with metastatic conditions who require modified dental treatment approaches. Given that risk factors, screening methods, and treatment protocols for oral cancer vary across different regions, this visit offered an invaluable opportunity for knowledge exchange.
The visit was especially timely as it coincided with an oral cancer screening program by a research team in the University of Otago, headed by Associate Professor Haizal Hussaini, Head of Discipline for Oral Maxillofacial Pathology. The program targeted the Maori and Pasifika populations in Stewart Island and Invercargill, to better understand oral cancer risk among this unique demographic. All participants received free dental screening including oral cancer screening, and those with urgent treatment needs were either treated on-site or referred to the appropriate clinic for further management. This program enabled the Malaysian delegation to gain first-hand experience and insight into global best practices in managing oral health for vulnerable populations in a community setting.
The academic visit was aimed at facilitating continuous Learning, forging international networks and identifying potential research partnerships. The participants benefited from the program under guidance of Dr. David Antunović, Head of Discipline for Special Care Dentistry, and Dr. Nurul Thiyahuddin, renowned Special Care Dentistry specialists at the University of Otago, who are experienced in domiciliary and community-based dental care. The team from Universiti Malaya enhanced their clinical knowledge and exchange professional insights with experts in the field. The visit provided an excellent platform for Malaysian Special Care Dental specialists to establish international connections, further reinforcing Universiti Malaya’s reputation on the global stage.
Engaging discussions about oral cancer screening and its complications inspired new research avenues in Special Care Dentistry. This visit is expected to strengthen Malaysia’s international collaborations and broaden expertise in Special Care Dentistry, particularly in managing oral cancer among high-risk populations. The knowledge gained from this exchange will be invaluable for shaping policies, research directions, and clinical practices in Malaysia’s dental healthcare system.
The faculty and students greatly valued this opportunity to immerse themselves in an advanced learning environment, exchange insights with leading experts, and contribute towards enhancing oral healthcare for medically complex patients in Malaysia.
Further detail about the program may be acquired from Dr Jessica Francis and Dr Lynn Ko, Department of Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya. They may be reached at jessicafrancis@um.edu.my and lynnko88@gmail.com
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