Dental Specialist in Prosthodontics
Dr Tan Kian Meng
Book a consultation with Dr Tan for missing teeth restoration or replacement through dental treatment in the areas of dental crowns, bridges, implants, and cosmetic dentistry.
Or call: +65 6734 9393
Dr Tan recalls one of his patients who was diagnosed with a rare cancer of the hard palate. It eroded a portion of the patient’s hard palate, making swallowing and speaking an arduous task. As air and fluid constantly leaked from the oral cavity to the nasal cavity, Dr Tan fitted a dental appliance to re-establish the oronasal separation. Dr Tan and the team were so glad when the patient successfully battled cancer after undergoing radiation treatment.
Due to the side effects of radiation treatment, the patient had to deal with many oral complications (i.e. tooth decay, dry mouth, poor wound healing). To make things worse, the patient was diagnosed with a new oral cancer five years later. A part of his tongue had to be removed and grafted. Despite all these misfortunes and challenges, this patient remains brave, resolute, and optimistic. Until now, Dr Tan remembers this patient fondly because of the precious life lessons he had learnt from him.
Get to know Dr Tan Kian Meng 陈健民医生
Prosthodontist, Specialist Dental Group®
- BDS (Singapore), MS (Maryland),
- Cert Prosthodontics (Maryland),
- Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics,
- FAMS (Singapore)
Dr Tan Kian Meng is a Prosthodontist with Specialist Dental Group®. He received his specialty training in Prosthodontics from the University of Maryland, USA. He is also an Adjunct Lecturer with the National University of Singapore, a Visiting Consultant at Singapore’s Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and President of the Prosthodontic Society Singapore.
Having worked in MD Anderson (one of the top cancer centres in the world) and a restructured hospital in Singapore for many years, joining the Specialist Dental Group at Mount Elizabeth Hospital seems like a natural continuation of his dental career. Providing support to the medical team and dental needs of medically compromised patients all these years have been a rewarding experience for Dr Tan. Most patients were unaware of the association between dentistry and their medical conditions (e.g. head and neck cancer, osteoporosis, obstructive sleep apnea).
Education
Dental degree – National University of Singapore (2005)
Master of Science – University of Maryland, Baltimore College of Dental Surgery (2007)
Certificate in Prosthodontics – University of Maryland, Baltimore College of Dental Surgery (2007)
Fellowships | Specialty boards
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
Prosthodontist, Specialist Register, Singapore Dental Council
Fellow, Maxillofacial Prosthetics and Oncologic
Dentistry Fellowship, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
Academic awards
Valedictorian of Class of 2005, National University of Singapore
Dean’s List in final BDS Professional Examination (2005)
Dean’s List in third BDS Professional Examination (2004)
Alexandra Health System Service Champion Award (2012, 2015)
National Healthcare Group Service Champion Award (2006)
University Medal (First in Final BDS Professional Examination) (2005)
Lee Kuan Yew Medal (Best Student throughout the Course of Study) (2005)
Tratman Medal (Most Distinguished Graduate in Dentistry) (2005)
Dr F A C Oehlers Medal (Best Clinical Student) (2005)
Malayan Dental Association Medal (Best in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery) (2005)
Terrell Book Prize (Best in Prosthodontics) (2005)
Southeast Asia Association for Dental Medal (Best in Endodontics) (2005)
Edmund Tay Mai Hiong Gold Medal (Best in 3rd BDS Professional Examination) (2004)
Singapore Dental Association Silver Medal (Best in Medicine) (2004)
Dental Society Merit Award (Silver) (2002)
Professional activities
Clinical Lecturer, National University of Singapore
Executive Committee Member, Prosthodontic Society Singapore
Member, Prosthodontic Society Singapore
Fellow, American College of Prosthodontists
Conference speaker | Panelist
December 2023 – Hong Kong Dental Association (HKDA), Hong Kong on “Clinical Considerations in Teeth Supported Fixed Dental Prosthesis”
October 2023 – CNA 938: Health Matters, Singapore on “Do We Need to Replace All Missing Teeth?”
June 2023 – Singapore Cancer Society, New Voice Club, Singapore on “Head & Neck Cancer: Side Effects on Oral Health”
May 2023 – 5th Society of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery Singapore (SOHNSS) & Chapter of ORL Annual Scientific Meeting, Singapore on “Dental Perspectives in Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea “
May 2023 – CNA 938: Health Matters, Singapore on “Dangers of Unlicensed Dental Procedures”
August 2022 – CNA 938: Health Matters, Singapore on “How Does Oral Health Affect Gut Health?”
2018 – Advances in Orbital and Condylar Trauma and Reconstruction with Anatomical Specimens, Singapore, “Orbital Prosthetics”
2017 – Clinical Pathological Conference, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore, “Making the Maxillofacial Prosthetic Patients Great Again!”
2016 – Advances in Orbital Trauma and Reconstruction, Singapore, “Orbital Prosthetics”
2014 – Advances in Management of Post-Traumatic Deformity, Singapore, “Craniofacial Implants and Prosthesis
2011 – 41st Annual Session, American College of Prosthodontists, Scottsdale, AZ, “Board Preparation Course, Section B: Part 4. Simulated Mock Board Examination”
2011 – Oncologic Dentistry and Maxillofacial Prosthetics Symposium, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, “Radiographic Explanations in Numb Chin Syndrome: Are They Always That Black-And-White?”
2010 – American College of Prosthodontists, Maryland Chapter Meeting, Columbia, MD, “Effect of Axial Wall Modification on the Retention of Cement-Retained Implant-Supported Crowns”
Scientific publications
Tan KM, Singer MT, Masri R, Driscoll CF. Modified fluid wax impression for a severely resorbed edentulous mandibular ridge. J Prosthet Dent 2009; 101:279-82
Tan KM, Masri R, Driscoll CF, Limkangwalmongkol P, Romberg E. Effect of axial wall modification on the retention of cement-retained, implant-supported crowns. J Prosthet Dent 2012; 107:80-5
Tan KM, Hofstede TM, Chambers MS. Mental neuropathy in an oncologic setting: A review of nine cases. J Greater Houston Dent Soc 2011; 83:17-22
