A childhood treat

Growing up, Amber Goh knew she wanted a career that combined science, hands-on practical work and the opportunity to help others. Dentistry had always seemed like the perfect fit, thanks in no small part to her first dentist, Dr Angeline, who made dental visits feel like a treat, not a chore. Bubblegum-flavoured polishing paste, movies in the clinic room and picture books made everything feel fun. “I loved the clean smell of dental clinics – it made me feel safe,” she recalls. Unlike most children, she welcomed the sight of the mobile dental clinic in her primary school (and she always associated it with getting to skip classes!).

Building dexterity

Amber grew up in a close-knit family, a factor that also played a part in her choice of a university programme: “Since NUS has the only dental school in Singapore, and I hoped to study locally to remain close to my family, choosing NUS Dentistry was ideal,” she shares.

Amber (second from right) and her family took in the scenery surrounding Mount Fuji on a trip in February 2025.

Funnily enough, family activities like strumming the guitar and building nanoblock kits helped pave the way for her future career.

“I picked up the guitar from my grandfather and now lead worship in church. As for nano-blocks, let’s just say that my family are huge Star Wars fans and we once built the entire LEGO Death Star together,” she grins. These early interests inadvertently formed the building blocks for the fine motor skills a dentist needs.

At ease

For the Year 3 student, her passion for Dentistry has only deepened since entering NUS. After two years in the simulation lab, Amber is now attending to real patients – and loves every second of it. “I enjoy chatting with them, not just about teeth but about life. Building rapport is key to earning trust and an essential part of being a good dentist. You have to put your patients at ease.”

Her clinical journey began with a nervous middle-aged patient who had never been to a dentist before. Amber’s gentle approach – chatting about life and other personal interests while waiting for the X-ray review – helped ease her patient’s anxiety. “She thanked me for being friendly and gentle,” Amber recalls. “I was encouraged. It reaffirmed that I’m on the right path toward becoming a dentist patients can trust and feel safe with.”

Amber especially enjoys working with elderly patients, who often bring warmth and wisdom to the dental chair. One patient, after her multiple attempts to get a good impression for their dentures, reassured her with a smile and the phrase ‘学好好’ or ‘study well’ – a moment that left Amber touched. She’s excited to work with children too, drawing from her experience as a Sunday school assistant. Her goal? To make dental visits as fun for the little ones as it was for her.

A community of care

Amber describes the NUS Dentistry culture as: community-centric, challenging and full of opportunities for growth. From day one, she’s felt supported by peers, seniors and faculty who were always willing to share knowledge and offer guidance. “I am encouraged to seek help when needed and also support others in turn. Being part of this community has both helped me navigate the academic and clinical challenges, and also shaped me to become more empathetic, patient and willing to contribute positively to others,” she reflects.

Shannon, her Dentistry senior and Dentistry Orientation Group Leader, became a key mentor for Amber from Year 1, as she generously shared notes and simulation lab tips and gave her a crash course on clinical life. Her best advice to Amber? “Prepare thoroughly, but don’t let the curveballs faze you either.” Her invaluable support inspired Amber to lead the Dentistry Orientation Camp as Director the following year, and give back to the new batch of freshmen.

Amber (right) is grateful for Shannon’s generosity and guidance throughout her NUS Dentistry days.

Of role-play and imposters

While many might find it tricky to handle the packed schedule of a dental student, Amber’s previous life as a competitive swimmer means she’s accustomed to managing her time without burning out. “A habit I carried over from my swimming days is planning each week carefully, ensuring I make time for exercise, social connections and moments of rest,” she shares.

But in Year 2, Amber met her biggest giant: impostor syndrome. “Seeing peers progress faster during simulation labs like denture fabrication and root canals made me doubt my abilities and question my place in Dentistry. But a friend reminded me that comparison is the thief of joy, which helped me refocus.” She has since learnt to work at her own pace, growing in her confidence and drive to improve daily.

Thankfully, these challenging moments in Year 2 were balanced out by some of her favourite classes: sessions with simulated patients who acted out clinical scenarios. During these sessions, Amber and her classmates had to respond to challenges like managing impatient patients or explaining complex dental concepts in simple, jargon-free terms. “I really enjoyed the challenge of interacting with these ‘patients’ and observing the creative ways my classmates handled the situations,” the people-minded Amber recalls.

Songs, drama and sheng jian bao

When she’s not in scrubs or planning the next trip for family and friends, you’ll find her de-stressing by singing or bingeing on television series. “I’m an avid K-drama fan. It’s great escapism from the worries of life!”

Her other great passion is hunting down the next must-try eatery with her laboratory partner and fellow foodie-in-crime. “We are always sharing the latest food recommendations. Food aside, we also rant about school, our personal life and troubles.”

Amber (right) and her lab partner, Ashley Ang, have enjoyed their time together, both in and out of school.

Amber is a true foodie who runs an Instagram account dedicated to sharing the meals she has tried. If you’re ever hungry on campus, Amber’s got you covered. She swears by the noodles and sheng jian bao (pan-fried pork buns) at NUS MD6 Eureka Taste’s Chinese stall.

Vlogging with a purpose

Apart from being a dental student, Amber’s got a second life – as a content creator! Although she was quite shy growing up, she blossomed after entering NUS, as she often had to meet and interact with new people. Through her experiences, which ranged from participating in NUSSU RAG and Flag to taking interdisciplinary courses with allied healthcare peers from Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy, she learned to come out of her shell. “I think I have become a lot more extroverted; my MBTI has even flipped to ESFJ!” she says, referring to her Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality profile, which is known for being people-focused and attentive.

Amber (first row, third from right) threw herself into the full gamut of campus life, such as participating in NUSSU RAG and Flag in 2023.

Putting her newfound confidence to good use, Amber’s YouTube and TikTok channels offer a candid look into dental school life. Her content has inspired aspiring dentists, some of whom reached out for tips when applying to NUS dentistry.

One surprising moment? A supervisor complimented her lab explanations after watching her videos. “I didn’t expect faculty members to see my content,” Amber laughs. “It was so motivating!” She’s even created a Q&A video based on FAQs from juniors, refining her answers with faculty approval to ensure accuracy. “It was really fulfilling to be able to use my platform to help students who are interested in pursuing Dentistry,” she says.

Patient-centred care

Amber’s time at NUS Dentistry, as well as clinical interactions with real-life patients, have shaped her philosophy of care. Not only did she realise that empathy and patient-centred care are as important as technical skills, but she also recognised that making a meaningful impact often involves working with others.

On the type of dentist she hopes to be, she shares: “A dentist who provides excellent clinical care and also empowers and uplifts patients, contributing positively to both individual lives and the broader healthcare community.”

For now, Amber is still exploring the different disciplines via theoretical lessons and clinical sessions. “If I do discover a strong passion for one discipline, I’d definitely consider pursuing postgraduate studies,” she muses. In five years, Amber sees herself serving her Ministry of Health bond in a public institution, likely starting at a polyclinic. She hopes to continually sharpen her clinical skills and stay true to her mission: delivering patient-centred care with heart.

Amber (back row, first from right) hopes to deliver excellent patient care and contribute to the healthcare community.