All posts by Epismile

Dr Woon Xuan Ru

Dr Woon Xuan Ru graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) from the National University of Singapore. She began her career at Woodlands Polyclinic before moving to Kranji Dental Centre, where she was part of the pioneer team at Kranji Regional Health Hub and was appointed Dental Officer-in-Charge of the SAF’s largest dental centre. She later served in the same role at MINDEF Dental Centre, treating SAF officers and personnel.

Dr Woon is proficient in multiple aspects of dentistry. Her gentle, soft-spoken nature helps patients feel at ease, and she is committed to providing effective and comfortable care. As a member of the Singapore Dental Association, she actively pursues ongoing education through regular professional development courses. 

Passionate about community service, she has participated in overseas mission trips to Cambodia and the Philippines, and actively provides treatment to domestic workers at the Willing Hearts Dental Clinic under the HOME Project. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, thrifting, and catching up with the latest shows.

Dr Jolene Sng

Dr Jolene Sng graduated from National University of Singapore with Bachelor of Dental Surgery. After graduation, she went on to serve at various public healthcare institutions.

Dr Sng practised as a Dental Officer at National University Polyclinics (NUP) where she cared for individuals of all ages in the community. Dr Sng also practiced at National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS) where she worked closely with specialists in the departments of Periodontics, Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, Endodontics and Prosthodontics. This has allowed her to gain valuable expertise in the complex interdisciplinary dental care for patients requiring gum treatment, extractions, root canal treatment, crowns and dentures. She was also appointed as the Dental Officer In-Charge and was awarded the NDCS Smile Award in 2022 and Singapore Health Quality Service Award (Silver) in 2023.

Dr Sng is committed to providing holistic dental care. She strives to educate patients’ about their oral condition and being an active participant in their oral health journey. A member of Singapore Dental Association, she attends courses regularly to keep updated on the healthcare landscape. 

Dr Sng also volunteers with organisations to treat migrant workers in Singapore as she believes in giving back to the community. Aside from dentistry, she enjoys pilates, crafts and reading.

Dr Nadia Cheah

Dr Nadia Cheah attained her Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the National University of Singapore, Faculty of Dentistry in 2017.

Following her graduation, she served the public healthcare sector in Bedok and Tampines polyclinics, where she managed patients of various ages and backgrounds, including many with the phobia of visiting the dentist. While at Tampines polyclinic, she was awarded the Silver Award at the Singapore Health Quality Service Awards.  She then worked in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Nee Soon Dental Centre as a Dental Officer for 3 years.  On top of treating patients on a daily basis, she held the position of Dental Officer In-Charge tasked with overall clinic management.  She was also the Chief Course Examiner for the Dental Assistant Training Course, where she oversaw and conducted lectures, practical lessons and examinations to train incoming medics to become good dental assistants.

Dr Nadia’s extensive work experience has honed her skills in managing a wide range of conditions requiring complex dental treatment such as crowns, bridges, root canal treatment, extractions and minor surgeries.

A firm believer that prevention is better than cure, Dr Nadia believes in providing quality individualised care to all her patients, and hopes that each visit to the dentist will be a pleasant and stress-free one.  It is a bonus to her if she can help in easing that phobia of the dentist bit by bit!  In order to give her patients the best care, she regularly updates her knowledge and skills by attending continuing education courses and workshops to keep abreast with the latest developments that can contribute to a smooth dental experience.

Outside of work, Dr Nadia is a regular Singaporean who cannot live without tehbing and sinful hawker food, enjoys dancing, dabbles in some jewelry-making and tries her best to keep fit by attending spin classes (yikes).

Dr Lee Ying Ting

Dr. Lee Ying Ting obtained her Bachelor Of Dental Surgery from the National University of Singapore (NUS). She was awarded Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Prize for her published research paper on Oral Care Education for children. As an undergraduate, she was selected for an
exchange programme with the University of Dundee,  Scotland. Dr Lee also participated in Project Sabai where she delivered dental education and treatment to Cambodian children.

After graduating, she spent 4 years with the government at National University Hospital (NUH), SingHealth Polyclinics, National Healthcare Group and Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) where she learnt to manage patients with a wide range of dental conditions and patients who were medically compromised. She was also a Dental Officer In Charge at SAF where she was tasked with managing the dental clinic, treating patients and teaching dental assistants.

Dr. Lee Ying Ting is dedicated in ensuring the best care for her patients and she firmly believes in providing a comfortable and stress-free dental experience. In order to deliver optimal care, she consistently attends lectures and conferences covering a comprehensive scope of topics from dental implants to aesthetic dentistry.

In her spare time, she enjoys dancing and seeking out great food!

Dr Anwar Zakaria

Dr. Anwar obtained his Bachelor Of Dental Surgery from the National University of Singapore (NUS). During his time in NUS, he was awarded the Robert Lin Memorial Award for being the top student in Pharmacology, the University Medal for academic excellence and was placed on the Dean’s List. He also took part in the Student Exchange Programme to the University of North Carolina in 2011.

Upon graduation, he served in Singhealth Polyclinics and was appointed the Dental Officer In Charge of Bedok Polyclinic (Dental Centre) where he was involved in both seeing patients and the general management of the dental clinic. Dr. Anwar then left for private practice and has since been with the Epismile Dental Group and Novena Dental Aesthetic Practice (an affiliated clinic of Epismile Dental Group).

Dr. Anwar is a firm believer in continuing dental education and he has attended multiple lectures and conferences both overseas and locally. This allows him to keep up-to-date with the changes in dentistry and hence deliver the best form of care to his patients. Over the span of his clinical practice, Dr. Anwar has developed strong inclination for aesthetic and implant dentistry and as of 2014 has also been recognized as an accredited user of Invisalign.

In his free time, Dr. Anwar enjoys travelling and delves into horology.

Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment is a branch of dentistry involved in cleaning up infected nerve canals due to caries or trauma.

When the nerve canals are infected by caries or trauma, it could cause pain and sometimes swelling of the gums.  During root canal treatment, the tooth will be anaesthetized and the dentists will remove the infection from the nerve canals and fill it up with an inert material to prevent re-infection of the canals.

It is a misconception that root canal treatment is painful.  The infected tooth is painful because of the infection.  During root canal treatment, the tooth is anaesthetized and patient will be relieved of the pain from then on.  After the root canal treatment, the tooth will be free of infection and thus the pain will be eliminated or very much reduced.  Antibiotics may be given to further control the infection.

rootcanal

The picture number 1 shows decay has invaded into the nerve canal of the tooth.  The dentist will remove the decay and clean up the nerve canal as seen in the picture number 2 and 3.

The picture number 4 shows that an inert material has been added to the nerve canal to seal the canals and prevent re-infection of the nerve canals.

“After root canal treatment, my tooth will not feel natural”

In root canal treatment, only the nerve canals are affected.  The tooth will still feel normal.  However, root canal treated teeth are more brittle, thus we would advise patient to have a crown on the tooth to protect the tooth from fracture.

Root canal treatment is a better option to save a tooth as opposed to extraction.

For more information, feel free to call us at 65540552 for an appointment.

Dental Check Up

Dental check up is an important component in maintaining a good dental and oral health.  It should be done every 6 months so that any caries or problems with the gums could be diagnosed early before it deteriorates.  In fact some medical conditions, such as diabetes or iron deficiency could manifest in the oral environment.  Early detection of these medical conditions by the dentist could allow us to refer patient for early treatment by the medical doctor.

Call us at 6554 0552 for an appointment

Dr Louise Yap

Dr Louise Yap graduated from the National University of Singapore, Faculty of Dentistry in 2005.  Upon graduation she has worked with the Health Promotion Board and School Dental Services.  This has enable her to gain experiences in treating children of all ages. She was subsequently posted to National Dental Centre as well as the Singapore Armed Forces. At these postings, she worked with the various dental specialties and this had gave her the necessary experiences and skills to treat difficult cases.

Over the years, she has established very good rapport with patients and has many loyal patients returning to seek her services.  Her caring and amiable nature has endeared herself to many of the children that have come to her for treatment.

Dr Yap is married and she enjoys travelling whenever she has the free time.

Scaling and Polishing including Prophyjet to remove tough stains

Scaling is a process where the dentist will remove the calculus or tartar from the teeth.  These are plaque that have been deposited on the teeth and over time calcified into a hard substance that clings onto the teeth and can only be removed by using special dental instrument.  These deposits if left on the teeth will result in gum diseases and gum recession.

After scaling, the dentist will usually polish the teeth.  Polishing removes any external stains and plaque from the teeth.  Excessive accumulation of plaque could cause decay or decalcification of the teeth.  However plaque will build up very quickly after every meal and thus it is important for the patient to clean the teeth properly everyday.

For patients with stubborn stains on their teeth such as smoker’s teeth or stains from drinking tea, we will use a special polishing equipment called the Prophyjet.  It is an instrument where water mixed with a special cleaning salt is jet out at high pressure to remove any stubborn stains.  It can even reach any hard to reach areas which conventional polishing instrument cannot get into.

“How often should I go for Scaling and Polishing”

6 monthly scaling and polishing is usually adequate for most patients.  However if tartar or stains is building up more quickly on your teeth then a more frequent visit to the dentist is needed.  Feel free to call us for an appointment at 65540552 so that our experienced dentist could advise you accordingly.