We are very proud to share that Dr Tan Kian Meng has been elected as President of Prosthodontic Society Singapore (PSS) for two years (2021-2022). He has been serving in the PSS for four years, starting from being an executive committee member in 2017, to becoming a Vice-President in 2019 and now the President.
If Dr Tan was a politician, we would describe him as one who is in touch or close to the people (亲民). He does not put on any airs and graces and one could chat about almost anything with him. Among patients, Dr Tan is well-liked and known to be very patient and caring towards them. That is why we are all really happy for him and would like to wish him the very best as he takes on greater responsibility.
We sat down with Dr Tan to ask him a few questions with regard to his new appointment.
Q: What does it feel like to be elected as the President of Prosthodontic Society Singapore?
Grateful is how I would describe my feeling now. It is such a huge blessing to know that one has the support of your peers and colleagues. I have served alongside with many of the present Exco members. They are experienced, talented individuals. Grateful indeed to have them around.
Q: Is life any different after being a President of PSS?
Not too different, to be honest. I may have to allocate slightly more time for society work, on top of my clinical and teaching duties.
Q: What are some of the goals you wish to accomplish during your term?
This is a unique term where we (Exco members) are still adjusting and adhering to new guidelines and norms amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Our physical interactions with PSS members – in the form of lectures, workshop, social night – were completely halted last year. Although we have started doing some webinars, my hope is to eventually be able to hold physical events where PSS members and partners can come together again to share, learn and network. A hybrid of physical and virtual event may be for a start. This is also a good time to invite some of our clinicians in Singapore to share their knowledge and experiences. As PSS will turn 30 in 2021, I would also hope to be able to commemorate this significant milestone.
Q: If there’s one thing you could change about prosthodontics, what would that be?
The public awareness of prosthodontics, or rather the lack of it. In my humble opinion, prosthodontics has not achieved as clear a distinction as a dental specialty as compared to let’s say orthodontics and oral surgery, at least among the public in Singapore. I certainly hope this level of awareness would increase over time.
Q: What are your hopes and aspirations for PSS?
It is my hope that PSS continues to be the society of choice for prosthodontists and dentists interested in the field of prosthodontics, and PSS continues to stay relevant with the evolving discipline of prosthodontics. It is truly heart-warming to note that more recent graduate and younger prosthodontists are joining PSS in recent years. This is a trend I hope to see continue, and even better, to eventually see them joining and serving as Exco members.
