Bringing Smiles to the Silver Generation

“I found myself spending more time offering my companionship as a person, rather than focusing solely on my professional role as a dental student,” he shared. “It made me realise that sometimes what patients need most is not just treatment, but a listening ear and a genuine personal connection.” 

Nigel Chia was touched by the meaningful interactions with seniors during his visit to the nursing home.

Such human connections are at the heart of a new collaboration that brings NUS Dentistry students to Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital’s nursing homes. The KWSH Foundation Silver Smiles Fund was established in August 2025 to support geriatric dentistry at NUS, providing direct dental care for seniors in residential settings, while backing the research and education needed to improve their oral health and quality of life. 

“Bringing dental students and seniors together creates meaningful two-way learning,” said Mr Patrick Lee, Chairman of the KWSH Foundation. “Seniors benefit from accessible care in a familiar setting, while students gain real-world exposure that builds empathy and understanding of ageing beyond clinical training.”

The Silver Smiles Fund was inspired by a simple observation: many seniors quietly live with dental problems that affect their nutrition, confidence, and quality of life. “Oral health is closely linked to dignity and wellbeing, yet it is often overlooked,” Mr Lee explained. “We wanted to support preventive care and make services more accessible, so that seniors can age with comfort and confidence.”

Inspiring Intergenerational Impact 

Beyond bringing care to seniors, this initiative has also realised intergenerational impact, inspiring meaningful takeaways for students assigned to the screenings. Nigel found out that one-way transport to a dental clinic could cost S$60 to S$80, a burden that puts oral care out of reach for financially needy seniors. “Without philanthropic support, many seniors might not have the chance to receive basic screening,” he reflected.

For NUS Dentistry student Bernice Chong, being a part of the initiative gave her the opportunity to learn what patient-centred care really means in practice. She realised that some seniors had been using the same dentures for 10 to 20 years. Although they were loose and worn, they felt familiar. Replacing these dentures would cause undue stress as the seniors would have to adjust to something new.

Bernice Chong discovered a more holistic perspective on geriatric dentistry after taking part in the Silver Smiles initiative.

Through this, Bernice realised that sometimes, the ideal treatment plan is not the most comprehensive one, but the one that makes sense for the patient.  “This experience taught me to look at seniors more holistically, rather than focusing solely on specific areas of neglected oral hygiene,” she said.

Discovering Meaning and Purpose in Dentistry

What began as a volunteering stint ended as something more—a sense that dentistry could also be a way to give back. Nigel’s time at the nursing home has left him with a clearer sense of what kind of dentist, and more importantly, what kind of person he wants to be. 

He reflected: “This experience reminded me that dentistry is not only a profession, but also a platform to serve. The generosity of donors makes it possible for students like me to learn, and for seniors to receive care. That is something I hope to carry forward in my own practice, both in the way I treat patients and in how I choose to contribute to the community.”

That same sense of purpose resonates with Bernice, who looks forward to exploring Geriatric Dentistry further as she continues her training. “The visit to the KWSH nursing home has widened my perspective on the dental needs of elderly patients in institutionalised care,” she shared. “I am now inspired to return as a volunteer dental officer and give back in the future.”

Make a gift to NUS Dentistry’s Geriatric Oral Health Care Initiatives and change lives one smile at a time.