IMU Dental Students Made A Significant Impact at 41st APDSA Congress!

4 – 7 August 2014 – Four IMU dental students won prizes in oral and poster presentations at the 41st Asia Pacific Dental Students Association (APDSA) Congress 2014 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. These are four of the possible six prizes that can be won at the Congress. It was certainly a proud day for IMU dentistry programme as only five students competed in the oral and poster scientific research competitions and four won. The four prizes won were: • 1st prize in oral presentation category by Wong Yin Mun from DT110 (Research title: Effect of different surface treatments on shear bond strengths of composite resin repair) • 2nd prize for the oral presentation category by Wong Choon Yoong from DT110  (Research title: The effect of psychological interventions on patients with dental anxiety) • 1st prize for the category of poster presentation by Wong Jhiew Zhan from DT110 (Research title: Development of local drug delivery system containing gatifloxacin for periodontal disease) • 3rd prize for poster presentation category by Gan Shou Wan from DT110 (Research title: An experimental study of the effect of combination of psychological interventions on patients with dental anxiety) A total of 16 dentistry students from the University attended the 41st Asia Pacific Dental Students Association (APDSA) Congress 2014. The APDSA Congress is held annually and includes scientific research competitions, academic seminars, annual grand meeting, and social activities such as opening and closing ceremonies/cultural night, city tours, etc. Academic seminars were mostly given by APDSA graduate club members. These members have been in APDSA since their dental student years and have continued to support APDSA till now. Most of them are successful specialists, academics, and dentists. The participating students learnt new dental techniques and knowledge through the seminars but most importantly, motivation and invaluable guidance to prepare them for the future. Apart from the scientific research competitions and academic seminars, these students had the opportunity to mingle and network with dental students and young dentists across Asia-Pacific region through social events. Countries that were represented included Cambodia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Korea, Japan, Philippines, Hong Kong, and Australia. Apart from formal networking, strong friendships were forged during the short four- day congress as they learned about each other’s culture and shared ideas on dentistry with each other. When they all had to part to return to their home countries, everyone left with a heavy heart but unanimously agreed that APDSA congress has to be one of the best experiences in their dental school life. Till the next APDSA congress! Related articles: IMU Students Bag First and Second Prizes at APDSA Scientific Research Competition IMU Dentistry Students Shine at APDSA Annual Congress IMU Dentistry Student Wins First Prize at Singapore Congres