Page 30 - MDA SCATE 2024 Programme Book

DAY 3

CONFERENCE SPEAKER

PROF. DR RATHNA DEVI VAITHILINGAM
Rathna Vaithilingam is currently a Professor of Periodontology in the Faculty of
Dentistry, University of Malaya. She obtained her dental degree and periodontology
specialist qualifications from the University of Malaya. She has been a principal
investigator in various research projects pertaining to periodontal-systemic
relationship, in particular periodontitis association with diabetes and rheumatoid
arthritis. Her other area of research includes genetic studies associated with
periodontal disease and periodontal regenerative therapy. Her research output has
been published in various peer reviewed international and local publications. Rathna
was previously President of the Malaysian Society of Periodontology and currently the
President of the Malaysian Society for Oral Microbiologists and Oral Immunologists.
She has presented at various conferences internationally and locally on her area of
expertise.

Lecture:
Managing Periodontitis: Recent Updates From the S3 Clinical
Guidelines
The 2017 classification for periodontitis has seen various features being incorporated
such as the extent and severity of disease, degree of complexity as well as an individual’s
risk of disease. Following the publication of this classification, evidence based S3 clinical
guidelines to treat periodontitis have been developed. The aim of the guidelines Is
to improve the quality of periodontal treatment, reduce tooth loss and improve the
systemic health of our patients and their quality of life. The guidelines are there to
support clinicians when treating periodontal disease, helping them make up to date
evidence-based treatment decisions and focus on personalised patient education. This
in turn should empower patients to take more responsibility for their health, ultimately
improving outcomes. This lecture explains the stepwise, incremental approach to
therapy provided in the S3 clinical guidelines for periodontitis.

DR MARK LOW JUN FAY
Following STPM, Dr Mark graduated from the University of Science Malaysia in 2011 with
the Dean’s List award and Distinction along with several national and international awards
for his research and table competition. Subsequently, he served in the Ministry of Health
for five years in Sabah honing his skills both in general dentistry and endodontics. In 2016,
Dr Mark was accepted into the National University of Malaysia for his specialist training
in Endodontology. His research interest focused on magnification in endodontics where
his publication was cited more than 90 times. He persistently topped in his postgraduate
exams and was awarded the prestigious M Endo qualification from the Royal College
of Surgeons of England upon graduation. Following that, he was appointed as the
course lead in Endodontics at Lincoln University College and was the recipient of The
Best Lecturer Award in 2022. Currently, Dr Mark accepts referrals for non-surgical and
surgical endodontic cases nationwide at iCare Dental 3 Damansara. His Facebook and
Instagram pages, Mark Endo Specialist, are dedicated to sharing his knowledge and
clinical experience.

Lecture:
Controversies Surrounding Single Visit Endodontics
The idea of root canal treatment being completed in a single appointment has sparked
debates in the dental community. Proponents argue that it offers convenience to
patients, reduces treatment time, minimizes discomfort and offers a similar success rate
as compared to multiple-visit endodontics. However, critics raise concerns about the
effectiveness of cleaning and shaping the root canal system in a single visit, potentially
leading to incomplete treatment or higher failure rates. Conflicting research findings and
varying clinical outcomes further contribute to the controversy. Balancing the advantages
of expedited treatment with the necessity for thorough and effective root canal therapy
remains a topic of ongoing discussion among dental professionals. In this lecture, Dr Mark
will discuss in detail on common pitfalls in single visit endodontics, reasons why root canal
treatment still fails despite numerous visits and what can be done to optimize treatment
outcome.
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