Dentistry students lend their hands to underprivileged children

Dentistry students from the Malaysian Division of the Asia-Pacific Dental Students Association (APDSA) collaborated with the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya to successfully organize the Lend-a-Hand Project (LHP) during the APDSA Mid-Year Meeting (MYM) from December 15 to 18, 2023.

The LHP, returning after a nine-year hiatus, aimed to make a positive impact on the lives of underprivileged children. In partnership with the Suriana Welfare Society, the event took place at Balai Ungku Aziz, Universiti Malaya, on December 16, 2023, involving 24 children aged 5 to 13 years.

Under the goal of promoting dental health awareness, the LHP featured booths created by the APDSA MYM participants. Notable among these were “A Day as a Dentist,” allowing children to experience the profession firsthand, and “Every Tooth Counts,” which focused on demonstrating effective tooth-brushing techniques.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lau May Nak, the Advisor of LHP and MYM, expressed gratitude for the event’s success and highlighted the crucial support from the Faculty of Dentistry. She commended the students for their dedication amid tight schedules and extended thanks to the Suriana Welfare Society for their collaboration.

Prof. Dr. Zamri Radzi, the Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, praised the LHP as a win-win program benefitting both students and society. He emphasized the leadership and teamwork showcased by students from diverse backgrounds, acknowledging the dedication required for the seemingly simple yet impactful program.

In addition to the LHP, participants engaged in various MYM activities, including lectures and workshops on prosthodontics, implantology, aesthetic dentistry, suturing, and endodontics. The program facilitated cultural exchange and camaraderie among undergraduate dental students in the Asia-Pacific region, providing a platform for the exchange of ideas and fostering teamwork.

The APDSA MYM not only contributed to academic enrichment but also exemplified the spirit of service and compassion within the dental community, laying the foundation for a resilient and empathetic future generation of dentists.

……

Further details of the program may be enquired from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lau May Nak at minalau@um.edu.my