Cosmetic Dentists?

I must say, that medical doctor managed to stir our small world of dentists in Malaysia... another response here:

The Star, Monday February 25, 2008 Dental implants an expert’s job WE REFER to the ongoing discussion on dental, medical and healthcare costs in Malaysia. In Implants Cost Too Much(The Star, Feb 23) oral implants were likened to treatment for bone fractures. Comparing the cost of dental implants to the local price of a cup of coffee does not make sense. This is because a major cost of a dental implant is the cost of the imported prosthesis itself. More than just the cost of materials, oral implantology is a multi-stage multi-disciplinary treatment procedure. The surgical component (i.e. the placement of the implant within the bone) is performed by the implantologist/oral surgeon. In fact, we invite interested medical surgeons to equip themselves with the proper training and accreditation that enable them to perform this surgical procedure. The demand for oral implants is far higher than what dentists in this country can cope with. Having well-trained medical surgeons to help out in the surgical process will be a welcome bonus. The next step involves designing an artificial tooth over the implant. When a patient requests an implant, this tooth component is the one he or she will see and use every day. Therefore, this stage is best carried out by a dentist properly trained in treatment planning, dental occlusion, function and aesthetics. Based on the dentist’s exact specifications and detailed instructions, the prosthesis (tooth) is custom-made in the laboratory by a dental technician. Finally, this prosthesis is precisely attached to the implant. Function and cosmetics are examined clinically. This multi-stage, multi-disciplinary approach is important to ensure that each stage is done by an expert in that field, to ascertain the best possible treatment outcome. The dental implant of today is by no means the ultimate replacement for missing teeth. Further research and development (R&D) is required. Currently, essential/basic dental treatment like extraction, pain relief, fillings, scaling, and infection management are already affordably priced. These procedures are cheaper than most medical surgical treatment. We are working towards a time when dental implants are no longer an optional luxury but a common affordable treatment alternative, just as cars were once exclusive to the rich but are now commonplace. We can achieve all this and more only with the understanding and cooperation of our medical colleagues and the public. Who knows, with support from all parties and sufficient funds for R&D, the option of replacing a missing tooth with a new one grown from stem cells may soon be available. DR FOO CHI CHEAN, President – Malaysian Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. DR MELISSA FOO SUYIN, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Hospital Sungai Buloh.

Now, now... I have a few things to say here.. this thing has gotten scarier and scarier each day.
It attracts all sort of people to respond to the medical officer's posting...
But these two... mm.. well.. mm...


1. Malaysian Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry???? That's new...is it registered?


2. Can a government dentist like our dear Dr Melissa make a public comment in the newspaper?
The public might thought that she is some oral surgeon working at the dept when actually she is just the normal dental officer working there.


Well,

Medical officers or dental officers,

we should not..believe everything that we see or read!

this includes the election campaign of course... but that's another story.

naa