By: Dr Joe Knights
On 4 September 2026, ten final-year (Year 3) UBD dental students presented their research at the inaugural Dentistry Research Day to practising dental professionals from the Ministry of Health and academics from PAPRSB IHS.
The half-day event showcased projects undertaken as part of Special Study Module 2 (SSM2), a research component of the undergraduate dental curriculum. Each presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session and assessed by judges from UBD and the Ministry of Health, allowing students to receive professional feedback and discuss their findings.
The Guest of Honour was Dr Hajah Mawarti binti Haji Emran, Director of Dental Services, Ministry of Health. Other attendees included Chief Clinical of Specialist Services Dr Norazah Abu Bakar; Deputy Chiefs Clinical of Specialist Services Dr Siti Waznah binti Haji Abdul Wahab and Dr Jacqueline Maryam Kamaluddin; Dean of PAPRSB IHS Professor Kenneth Kok Yuh Yen; Deputy Deans Pg Dr Hjh Nurolaini Pg Hj Muhd Kifli and Dr Hjh Fazean Irdayati Hj Idris; and Dentistry Programme Leader Dr Mary Cheong Poh Hua.
The event strengthened engagement between academia and clinical practice, helping students develop scientific communication skills and explore how their findings could support evidence-based oral healthcare. It concluded with a prize-giving ceremony, with Sim Jia Wei awarded first place, Siti Farzana binti Abu Kasim second place, and Syafiah Widadina binti Haji Mohamad Sahraini third place.
