President’s Message (September – October 2021)

4th November 2021

We have been battling this pandemic globally and locally for almost 2 years and we are now, slowly but surely, able to press the brakes to control the situation. As of 10th September 2021, only Labuan was in the Phase 4 of our National Recover Plan, followed by Negeri Sembilan, Perlis and Sawarak that were in the Phase 3, whereas the rest of the Malaysia was either in Phase 1 or Phase 2. The number of new cases as of 11th September 2021 stood at 19,550, with 592 new deaths reported. On the 11th September 2021, the matter of Annual General Meeting was discussed during our Council Meeting. Although, it was initially planned as a physical event back then in June 2021, the council felt that a virtual Annual General Meeting would be better off, mainly to overcome the uncertainty as to when the whole nation would enter successfully into Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan and to take into account on the readiness of our members to travel as some have express concerns due the health safety matters which is truly understandable. Nevertheless, after discussing with the Election Committee and taking into account the advice from Registrar of Society, the council has taken a very tough decision to hold a physical Annual General Meeting before the turn of the year, which is on the 19th December 2021 (10:00 am) at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The notice of the Annual General Meeting (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FESs0bPhqPibf7xj800ffarmMUnaaKmF) and the calling of nomination for office bearers and standing committees in the upcoming election (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1CdwroqWZrWYtgm7KiqDVj9eSWj5zEbQ7) at the Annual General Meeting were already out to the members via email blast since last month. Please kindly take note that the closing date for nominations shall be 12.00 noon on Friday, 19th November 2021. This Annual General Meeting is indeed important not only that it is constitutional but also for the ongoing daily business operation of the Association, both internally and with other agencies.

Following on in my message here is a summary of some of the local and international activities taken on by the Association in the past few months.

Renewal of APC 2022 for the Private Sector
We were informed recently by Malaysian Dental Council that the payment service through MyBayar portal for renewal of Annual Practicing Certificate (APC) has been discontinued and that we were advised to revert to the conventional method of payment using bank drafts / postal order / money order. In the midst of our nation trying hard to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Association has decided to assist our fellow members in the private sector in collecting the APC renewal fees on their behalf using our payment portal. Members who are active practitioners are first required to submit an APC 2022 application through the DPMIS website and verify the amount to be paid before making the payment at the MDA payment portal. List of payees (including amount paid) will be generated for MDC’s reference and the amount payable will be made to MDC using bank drafts / postal order / money order. Please kindly be informed that the deadline for this exclusive service to members is 15th November 2021.

Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Penasihat Radiologi (Radiology Advisory Committee) ke 45, Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (23rd August 2021). Attended by Dr Leong Kei Joe. During the meeting, the issue of delay in approving the installation of dental x-rays in private dental clinics was raised and Bahagian Kawalselia Radiasi Perubatan, Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia, has agreed to look to into this matter. A follow-up letter was also sent to them on the 14th September 2021 and was acknowledged by the Director.

Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Minggu Kesedaran Kanser Mulut (24th August 2021, 5th October 2021). Attended by Dr Leong Kei Joe.

Please do join us in celebrating this annual event, to be launched on 7th November 2021, and most of all to incorporate this important message to your patients.

MDA Foundation:
– MDA Foundation – MDA Council Meeting (4th September 2021)
– Annual General Meeting (26th September 2021)

Curriculum Review Meeting for DDS degree by Faculty of Dentistry, Lincoln University College, Malaysia (22nd September 2021). Attended by Dr Leong Kei Joe.

Prof. Dr. Ihsane Ben Yahya (photo courtesy of FDI News)

Once again, as member of the FDI World Dental Federation, MDA was called to take part in this annual international meeting. Traditionally, event of this magnitude was held in the countries hosting the FDI world Dental Congress. Unfortunately, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the international travel restrictions, the meeting this year (including the FDI World Dental Congress held at Sydney, Australia) was conducted fully virtual. It was an important international platform for MDA as it provided an avenue to discuss actively on issues related to policy statements and even administrative matters. Though our sole nominee from Malaysia, Dato’ Dr How Kim Chuan (who contested for the post of Speaker and later Treasurer) was not successful in the election, we trust that MDA has already marked a special recognition among our international colleagues from various National Dental Association. On this note, I wish to congratulate Prof. Dr. Ihsane Ben Yahya, from Morocco Dental Association, on her installation as the new President of FDI World Dental Federation. Many thanks to her predecessor, Dr Gerhard Seeberger, for his support and, most of all his friendship to MDA.
Prof. Dr. Ihsane Ben Yahya (photo courtesy of FDI News)

National Oral Health Plan 2021 – 2030: Secretariat Meeting, Ministry of Health Malaysia (30th September 2021). Attended by Dr Leong Kei Joe and Dr Sharon Tay. The main objective of the meeting was to discuss the possibilities of involvement of various agencies / sectors (private dental practice) in the various focus area of the National Oral Health Plan.

Virtual Symposium “Cavity Free Future Initiative in Malaysia: A Revisit & Future Direction” Celebrating World Cavity Free Future Day (WCFFD) 2021, by Alliance for a Cavity Free Future (ACFF) Malaysia Chapter (13th October 2021).

I also wish to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all participating private dental clinics nationwide for making the GSK Oral Care Month 2021 (in collaboration with MDA), which ended in October 2021, a huge success. With the approach of the upcoming Annual General Meeting, my term as the President will soon conclude. Nevertheless, I hope to “see” all of you again in my last President’s Message for the term 2019/2021 before the Annual General Meeting. It has indeed been my pleasure to share the works of the Association and I trust that these messages that have been routinely published will act as my “mouthpiece” to keep all of you updated. My last words to end this message: The word “Association” in a deeper sense is a commitment from members whom they call to be associated to and it is not only physically but whole heartedly. God bless all of you.

Kei Joe LEONG