As a child, Wen Xianjue had to frequent the dentist for root canal treatments. Unlike most children who feared getting into the dental chair, however, he looked forward to his visits.
“Everyone has a certain degree of fear at the dental clinic, but what stood out to me was how pleasantly and carefully the staff treated me and other patients,” the Year 3 Dentistry student recounts.
The root of Xianjue’s motivations
That positive experience rooted Xianjue's interest in a career in dentistry. With a desire to help others and intrigued by the prospect of working with his hands, he decided that his calling would be to follow in the footsteps of the many dentists who had inspired him.
From lab work and simulations to hands-on practice in clinical settings, Xianjue has since embarked on a dynamic and fulfilling education in oral health that will prepare him to make a difference in the lives of his patients and society at large.
Brushing up on skills
While doing his research on dental schools, Xianjue found himself drawn to the NUS Faculty of Dentistry, for its rigorous programme which offered a range of specialties to prepare students for a variety of careers and its academic staff who were eminent leaders in their field.
Founded in 1929, the Faculty strives to improve oral health through academic excellence, impactful research and quality clinical services. These factors convinced Xianjue that NUS was the right place for him.
During his preclinical years — the first two years of the programme focusing on foundational skills and knowledge before exposing students to a clinical setting — Xianjue deepened his understanding on a wide range of biological and dental sciences such as anatomy, physiology, dental public health, oral radiology and behavioural science, to name a few.
In particular, Dr Sriram Gopu made an impression on Xianjue for his teaching approach and dynamic pedagogy. “He taught us theory-intensive topics such as basic embryology and the development of teeth (odontogenesis) in Year 1 and cysts and tumours of the jaw in Year 3. His explanations were very exciting, detailed and intriguing — which made it a lot easier for us to understand,” he enthused.
To further enhance students’ learning experiences, the faculty even hired actors to act as dental patients and simulate challenging scenarios during procedures.
"It was an invaluable way to learn how to react and handle unexpected situations," Xianjue recalls.
Against all odds
Xianjue’s education at NUS Dentistry also proved to be one resilient to challenges. When COVID-19 swept across the globe in 2020, strict circuit breaker measures were implemented nationwide, but the Faculty worked quickly to adapt and keep students up to speed with their professional education in the midst of a global pandemic.
Rather than simply moving classes online, they adopted a hybrid study arrangement that combined remote learning with in-person simulation labs.
Not only did this hybrid arrangement keep Xianjue and his peers safe, it also enhanced their learning experience by providing a more personalised and interactive education for each student.
"The Faculty goes above and beyond to accommodate student requests and concerns, which is truly ideal."
Xianjue (extreme right) bonded with his coursemates and lab technician Ms Nareema Binte Mohmad Ibrahim (centre) during their many simulation lab sessions.
From theory to practice
Now in his third year, he is finally able to put those skills into practice in real-life clinical settings.
“We also attend medical courses, and we go down to the National University Hospital (NUH) weekly for postings, where we follow a medical doctor and learn about the patients’ cases in the wards. We get exposed to the day-to-day workings of the healthcare setting and learn more about systemic diseases like cancer and how it impacts oral health,” Xianjue explains.
In addition to their weekly hospital postings, dental students in their clinical years also participate in sessions where they are attached to a specialist in oral medicine in order to acquire first-hand experience in the treatment process.
During these sessions, they are able to take part in the diagnosis and examination process, and sometimes even in minor oral surgeries and extractions.
“This hands-on experience allows us to put our theoretical knowledge into practice and gain valuable skills in the field.”
The dental dream team
Xianjue (second row, middle) supported his juniors at NUSSU Rag and Flag 2022, and spent many nights helping them rehearse for their Rag performance and build their float.
As the President of the NUS Dental Society in 2021, Xianjue has also led his fellow peers in organising events for the student community, including activities that advance dentistry-related studies and promote camaraderie in the community.
One of the key events that the NUS Dental Society had helped to organise was the Asia Pacific Dental Students Association Congress in Singapore, where dental students from around the region come together for a week of networking and knowledge-sharing.
In addition, the Society partnered with the student-run NUS Public Health Service and Lions Befrienders to visit the elderly, check on their dental health, provide free dental kits and set up free health screenings. Inspired by the community-driven mindset he shared with his peers, Xianjue also participated in the HealthServe outreach programme organised by his classmates, which raised awareness about oral health among migrant workers.
Xianjue (right) illustrated oral health principles to migrant workers during his HealthServe outreach.
Xianjue is grateful that his experience as President of the Society also helped him develop his communication and leadership skills, as he often had to work with the Society’s executive committee and other governing bodies.
"I learned that it's really important to take initiative and never lose sight of the bigger picture," Xianjue reflects.
Filling the gap with art
Xianjue’s NUS experience transcends his academic pursuits as well. From extracurricular activities to exploring new interests and passions, he has taken full advantage of all the opportunities NUS has to offer, including its vibrant residential life.
He has made full use of the time he spent at Prince George’s Park House (PGPH, currently known as Pioneer House), to engage in various sports like table tennis or go for runs with his friends at the nearby West Coast Park. "They were very eager to provide us with the facilities to engage in fun activities and optimise our experience," Xianjue says.
Xianjue (second from right) enjoying a home-cooked meal at PGPH with his Dentistry batchmates, some of whom also lived in PGPH at the same time he did.
Outside of hall life, one of Xianjue's biggest passions is the NUS Chinese Orchestra, where he plays the suona — a double reed instrument. He was delighted to participate in a recent live performance in front of the National Library, which was aimed at increasing awareness of the art form.
Xianjue (third from right) and his NUS Chinese Orchestra bandmates performed in front of the National Library.
"After the COVID-19 restrictions were relaxed, I was so excited to play in a large-scale production again," he shares, expressing his love for the Chinese Orchestra, which he has been involved in since Primary 3.
"I feel that my instrument is very expressive. It produces a bright sound and that comes from controlling your breath, lip movements and fingers. Like dentistry, it's a very hands-on experience, and the suona really helped me develop an appreciation for dentistry and vice versa."
He credits NUS with providing the infrastructure, facilities and support that has allowed him to hone his skills in the Chinese Orchestra. Under the guidance of instructors such as Mr Jin Shiyi, principal player of the suona and guan section in the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, Xianjue has also participated in a number of national competitions, including the National Chinese Music Competition.
Xianjue's artistic endeavours extend to photography as well, providing another outlet for his love of hands-on experiences. Through the Photographic Society of NUS (NUSPS), Xianjue was able to explore this art form by participating in photo walks where students practised shooting iconic buildings such as the old shophouses along Joo Chiat Road.
“Photography allows me to capture moments and express myself in a different way compared to music.”
A pearly white future
As Xianjue nears the end of his dental school journey at NUS, he reflects on what he will miss the most about student life. "The cosiness and getting to see my friends daily — that's one thing I'll miss the most," he says.
With big dreams for the future, Xianjue hopes to do his postgraduate studies a few years down the road and is looking into scholarship opportunities with the National Dental Centre or the National University Centre for Oral Health, Singapore (NUCOHS) residency programme.
His ultimate goal is to work as a dentist in hospitals or specialist centres in the public sector so as to continue advocating for the less fortunate to receive dental care.
“I want to continue giving back to society and increase public awareness on oral health to prevent systemic diseases, especially since prevention is better than cure.”