Dr. Ansgar Cheng, Director and Prosthodontist with Specialist Dental Group, was profiled in Ezyhealth & Beauty’s March 2010 Issue. The article was entitled “Dr. Ansgar C Cheng, The Dental Specialist who Reconstructs Faces”. Dr Cheng is a Hong Kong-born Canadian who moved to Singapore 6 years ago and is one of the leading prosthodontists in the country. He is also trained in the sub-specialized area of maxillofacial prosthetics.
Prosthodontics and Maxillofacial Prosthetics
Dr Cheng elaborated that the work he did was like building, designing, and being the overall architect for a house. In the US, prosthodontics actually leads to the sub-specialty of maxillofacial prosthetics which includes the rebuilding of not just teeth, but also the jaw and facial parts, for patients who need extensive reconstruction as a result of trauma or head and neck cancer.
Creating Smiles and Function
During the interview, Dr. Cheng brought up a case of a patient from Indonesia, who had a sizable tumor removed in his upper jaw. The tumor was surgically removed. The functional factor was important in managing this case, as the patient was a professional speaker and it was very important for him to speak clearly.
Dr. Cheng’s principle in treating patients is that dentistry is not just about creating a beautiful smile – it is important to create a smile that is functional at the same time.
Contributing to the Professional Boards and Societies
He mentioned that he feels that he needs to pay back to the society which has contributed so much during his study time through meaningful training. Dr. Cheng makes his contribution by being on the Dental Specialists Accreditation Board, sitting on the committee of the Prosthodontics Society (Singapore) and also as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore, teaching the graduate specialty students there.
“Hopefully we can pass on our knowledge to the next generation, because whatever we have, we owe it to our teachers as well,” he said.
Living in Singapore
Dr Cheng’s impression of Singapore after living for the past 6 years is that Singapore is a fantastic country with a world class airport, a government that really works, a system that is efficient, and great weather. On top of that, geographically, staying in Singapore offers easier access to his extended family in Hong Kong and Malaysia.
Being Healthy
Dr Cheng shared that being healthy was not just about physical well-being but also psychological well-being. Physiological well-being is partly constituted by how healthy you are and how many people love you.
Read the complete interview in the March 2010 issue of Ezyhealth & Beauty
