Latest news with #FacultyofDentistry
Bangkok Post
03-07-2025
- Health
- Bangkok Post
Mahidol Lab First in ASEAN with ISO 13485
Mahidol University's Faculty of Engineering has become the first in Thailand and ASEAN to receive ISO 13485:2016 certification for its innovation in antibacterial nano-coatings on dental implants—a milestone that brings the research closer to clinical application and commercialisation. The certification was awarded to the Laboratory of Drug Delivery System for Medical Devices for its nano-coating technology designed to reduce bacterial infections on dental implants. This breakthrough responds to a critical need in dentistry, where up to 80% of implant patients experience mild inflammation and 20% face severe bone loss due to infection. Led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Noraset Nasongkla and Dr. Chalaisorn Thanapongpibul, in collaboration with the Faculty of Dentistry's Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saranya Tanchareon, the project showcases Mahidol's strength in interdisciplinary research. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanapat Wanichanon, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, credited the achievement to strong collaboration and Mahidol's dedication to research that meets global standards. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bundit Jirajariyavej, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, confirmed that the nano-coated implants will soon undergo clinical trials—an essential step toward real-world use that could improve patient outcomes and reduce reliance on imported technologies. ISO 13485:2016 is a globally recognised standard for quality management systems in medical devices, ensuring that certified organisations consistently meet regulatory and safety benchmarks. 'This certification is more than a symbol—it's a foundation of trust,' said Robert Frolich, Vice President of Medical Health Services (ASEAN) at TÜV SÜD PSB Singapore. This achievement not only elevates Thailand's profile in high-value medical innovation but also underscores Mahidol University's role as a 'University of Innovation,' transforming academic research into impactful, scalable healthcare solutions.
Saba Yemen
17-06-2025
- Science
- Saba Yemen
Competitive Exams begin for Free University Seats in Yemen for Academic Year 1447H
Sana'a - Saba: Today, the competitive exams for free seats in Yemeni public and private universities for the 1447H academic year commenced at the Electronic Testing Center of the Faculty of Dentistry, Sana'a University. The exams cover medical, engineering, administrative, and humanities disciplines. A total of 8,410 students (including 2,685 female students) applied for the exams. Among them, 3,177 students applied for medical disciplines and were tested in Chemistry, Biology, and English. Officials overseeing the exams praised the high level of organization and technical preparations at the testing center, which is equipped with over 1,500 computers and accommodates more than 1,000 students per session. Students were distributed across four daily sessions to ensure smooth exam administration. Exams for engineering, computer science, administrative sciences, and humanities will continue tomorrow (Wednesday), while Thursday is reserved for 2,095 late-registered students who completed payment after the deadline. Dr. Hatem Al-Duais, Deputy Minister of Education, confirmed that seat allocation is based on: - 60% competency exam results - 40% high school GPA This allows students to receive their results immediately. Dr. Ibrahim Luqman, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, noted that the 4,000+ free seats compensate for the absence of foreign scholarships due to the ongoing aggression, providing outstanding students the opportunity to pursue their desired specializations. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (Local)
Malay Mail
13-06-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
UM dental students provide care and support to former drug addicts — Nor Azlida Mohd Nor and Mia Izrina Izzuddin
JUNE 13 — A team of passionate students from the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya (UM), recently embarked on a meaningful community service initiative to support the overall well-being of former drug addicts currently undergoing rehabilitation. This outreach project was conducted as part of their undergraduate service-learning course. Former drug addicts are among the vulnerable groups who often face significant barriers in accessing healthcare, including oral health services. Prolong substance abuse has a detrimental impact on oral health due to a combination of biological, behavioural, and lifestyle factors. Studies show that long-term use of substances such as methamphetamines, heroin, and cocaine can reduce saliva flow, leading to dry mouth, which significantly increases the risk of dental caries, gum disease, and oral infections. According to the World Drug Report, an estimated 13.8 million individuals aged 15 to 16 years (5.6 per cent) are users of cannabis-type substances. In Malaysia, national data from 2010 indicated that approximately 2,138 adolescents, or 9.25 per cent, were involved in drug abuse, with the highest prevalence among youths aged 19–39 years, followed by those aged 13–18 years. Dentistry students from UM during a community outreach programme with residents of Rumah Sahabat in Hulu Langat, Selangor between April and May 2025. — Picture courtesy of the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya In addition, former drug users often face poor access to healthcare due to stigma and discrimination, which discourages them from seeking help, including dental treatment. This lack of access further exacerbates their oral health conditions and presents challenges to their social reintegration. Poor oral health not only affects physical well-being but also has a profound impact on self-confidence, speech, nutrition, and overall quality of life. Recognising these challenges, UM dental students designed a community project focused on oral health promotion, basic dental screenings, and preventive care. According to the student leader Mia Izrina Izzuddin, 'This project aimed not only to improve oral health outcomes but also to empower individuals in recovery by treating them with respect and compassion'. The students visited the Drug Rehabilitation Centre (Rumah Sahabat) in Hulu Langat on four occasions (April-May 2025), beginning with a needs assessment, followed by the implementation of various oral health activities. The team conducted educational talks, designed fun activities, and created educational posters and videos. Muhamad Akif and Dayang mentioned 'we developed a training module and reminder materials for trainers, incorporating Islamic values related to oral care, to help sustain the program beyond the duration of our project'. In addition, dental and HIV screenings were conducted in collaboration with the Hulu Langat District Health Office. Reflecting on their experiences, students Nur Syafiqah, Shelby, and Tan Xuen Yue shared that the project inspired them to give back to marginalised communities. Muhammad Shafiq, Low Zhe Hsien and Jaskiran also said they gained valuable real-world experience by assisting lecturers during dental treatments and developed a deeper understanding of the various social determinants that influence individuals' well-being. Other group members, Wong Xin Ning, Rachel and Derrica Ladius highlighted the importance of negotiation skills and collaborative efforts with key stakeholders, including the National Anti-Drugs Agency, Persatuan Mencegah Dadah Malaysia (PEMADAM) and medical personnel from the Hulu Langat District Health Office for a meaningful intervention. The management of Rumah Sahabat Asyraf Amri and team expressed their gratitude for the initiative, noting that this was the first time many residents had received any form of oral care since entering the program. Several residents shared that they felt hopeful after interacting with the UM students, who treated them with kindness and respect. A short term project evaluation indicated positive improvement of oral health knowledge among the residents. This initiative highlights the essential role that students and academic institutions can play in bridging the gap between education and underserved communities. The experience also shaped students' professional development, cultivating empathy and social responsibility. * Further details of the program may be acquired from the Project Advisor, Assoc Prof Dr Nor Azlida Mohd Nor from the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya. She may be reached at [email protected] ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
The Star
20-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Varsity, club work together towards barrier-free future
Inclusivity Carnival featuring a host of activities to foster understanding between the special needs community and the public, including tandem cycling (left) and games. A carnival to promote understanding between the special needs community and the wider public was held by Lions Club of Selangor Community together with the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya (UM). The heartwarming Inclusivity Carnival aimed at promoting understanding, compassion and inclusion between people with disabilities and the public through sports and interactive activities, said a Lions Club of Selangor Community media statement. The event saw over 200 special needs children, 30 visually impaired participants and more than 400 volunteers, parents and members of the public gathered at UM's Dataran Dewan Tunku Canselor in Kuala Lumpur. The event featured a rich lineup of activities, including bocce ball friendship games, tandem cycling sessions as well as inclusivity workshops and informational exhibitions. 30 blind participate in tandem cycling. Front are volunteers and Student Each activity was designed with accessibility at its core, ensuring that participants of all abilities can fully engage, enjoy and experience the joy of sports and community. Lions Club of Selangor Community advisor Datuk Neo Say Yeow said, 'We believe that a truly great society is one that embraces every difference and celebrates every possibility. 'Through this carnival, we aim to build a bridge – fostering understanding, respect and support for the special needs community.' Neo also expressed his gratitude to volunteers, partners and supporters, saying: 'It is through your compassion and dedication that we witnessed the true power of hope today.' During the event, a particularly touching moment came during talent performances by the special needs groups, where the performers showcased their brilliant spirit through song and dance. Various information booths also helped to spread knowledge about special needs and inclusivity, enhancing public awareness and support for a diverse and caring society. The statement added that the carnival not only strengthened its collaboration with the Faculty of Dentistry, but also reflected the Lions' core spirit of 'We Serve'. It said through real action, the club was spreading the message of inclusion and love, inspiring all sectors of society to work together towards a warmer, more diverse and barrier-free future. It said the club also remained committed to championing social care initiatives – lighting the way with action and protecting dreams with sincerity. The carnival was also supported by UM's Centre of Counselling and Disability Empowerment, Special Olympics Malaysia (Putrajaya), Malaysian Association for the Blind and Clever Speda.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Humans Could Grow Entirely New Teeth in Just a Few Years, Scientists Say
As helpful as they are to many, fillings and dental implants can be detrimental, and while they have long been the only solutions to decay, it may soon be possible for teeth to regrow themselves. A team of researchers figured out the ideal hydrogel to grow teeth from stem cells in vitro. In the future, entire teeth could be grown in that hydrogel and implanted, or tooth cells could get their start in the hydrogel and continue growing inside the mouth. Sitting in a dentist's waiting room is a dread that can only be numbed by Novocaine. No one wants a drill in their mouth, after all. But what if you never needed a root canal again, and could instead just grow entirely new teeth? Humans don't have the advantage of regenerating teeth like elephants or sharks. Until now, we've only had one chance to grow replacement teeth, and that passed us by at the age when most of us believed in the tooth fairy. After that, it's fillings and crowns all the way down. The problem with fillings is that they don't last forever and can weaken tooth structure, which causes sensitivity and (possibly) further decay. Artificial dental implants may look like teeth, but they can't restore tooth function and can lead to further complications. But there may finally be a solution which may minimize your visits to that ominous chair. While growing teeth in a lab has been attempted before, there was something missing. Now, a team of researchers led by Xuechen Zhang from the Faculty of Dentistry at King's College, London, has finally figured out the ideal environment for teeth to grow on their own in vitro. When teeth grow, the environment they grow in allows stem cells to communicate, sending signals that cause those stem cells differentiate into tooth cells. Previous experiments had not yet come up with an environment close enough to actual gums, which led to signals being sent all at once and disrupting the process. Zhang's team used hydrogels to develop a material, or matrix, close enough to the environment in the body for cells to send signals to each other in the right order and allow tooth organoids to grow. 'The development of tooth organoids involves the self-organization of cells into structures that mimic the cellular composition and functional attributes of the actual teeth,' he said in an study recently published in ACS Macro Letters. 'When these structures are transplanted in vivo, they can then fully develop into mature teeth.' Either pluripotent or tissue-resident stem cells can be used as tooth starters. Pluripotent stem cells can self-renew, and are versatile enough to differentiate into most tissues in the body. Tissue-resident stem cells, on the other hand, are tissue-specific progenitor cells that exist in all tissues and are used either for development or for replacement in case of injury. The cells used by Zhang came from mouse embryos, but he had used human cells in previous experiments, and plans to use them again in future research. Embryonic stem cells from two groups of mice were combined to create cell pellets that were then cultured to grow teeth. Several different hydrogels were tried, and how successfully the teeth grew from these stem cells depended on the properties of the different hydrogels. The developing teeth with the most structure and definition grew in a matrix that had the lowest stiffness and highest swelling, and were the only ones that actually grew into organoids. These fully developed organoids had both an epithelium (outer enamel layer) and mesenchyme (tooth pulp). 'To regenerate teeth through tissue engineering, epithelial and mesenchymal cells must interact within a [matrix] that facilitates these interactions, resulting in tooth organoids that can fully develop into teeth in vivo,' Zhang and his team said in the study. Growing an entire new tooth—or starting the process so that the cells can continue it when implanted—will require biomaterials like this recently developed hydrogel. Human teeth really could someday be grown in a lab, and one day, it may even be possible to inject stem cells into the gums and grow an entire new tooth right in your mouth. If you can avoid getting cavities for at least a few more years, you might never have to hear the sound of that drill again. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
