World dental body helps dentistry students spread wings overseas

April 2008

NUS Senior Deputy President Tan Chorh Chuan (left) and Dr Choo Teck Chuan, President of World Dental Education Society, at the cheque presentation ceremony on 4 April 2008.

Dental students will soon get the chance to spread their wings on an Overseas Enrichment Programme (OEP). The World Dental Education Society (WDES), founded by Faculty of Dentistry alumnus Dr Choo Teck Chuan (’55), is making a gift of $250,000 to support students to go on the programme.

The endowed gift will help provide up to 10 WDES-FDI World Dental Federation Awards every year. Each award is worth $2,500. The OEP is a two-week programme where clinical dentistry students, usually in their third or fourth year of study, experience learning in renowned dental schools worldwide.

Dr Choo, a strong advocate of continuing education and cross-border sharing, hopes that students will get to broaden their education by studying overseas. He said: “It is a big plus for our dental students to travel for an exchange. This is not just for knowledge only but to build international relationships with our international peers.”

The gift was announced at the official opening of the International Dental Exhibition & Meeting (IDEM) on 4 April 2008. The IDEM is a biennial industry event which Dr Choo helped to start in 2000. He received the Individual Award – Business Event at the inaugural Singapore Business Events Awards 2007 for his role in organising this and similar events. WDES is part of FDI, an international organisation of dental professionals from around the world.