Dental Diplomacy

In recent years, Singapore has increasingly been involved in dental missions, especially to neighbouring countries.

The nature of dental disease makes dental missions an ideal diplomatic tool. Dental patients have pre-existing conditions whereby the institution of treatment would resolve the problem. There is usually no need for complicated follow-up and long-term care.

Medical patients, on the other hand, need time to heal. Example, a diabetic patient or a hypertensive patient would need long-term medication and a regular follow-up to monitor their condition.

The SAF's deployment of a Dental Project Team to Bamiyan Province in Afghanistan as part of the Provincial Reconstruction Team is a good example of the use of dental missions as a diplomatic tool.