NUS Faculty of Dentistry

Exciting new research from NUS Dentistry is shedding light on why temporomandibular disorders (TMD) can affect people in such different ways. 🔍

Published in the internationally acclaimed The Journal of Headache and Pain, the study, led by Visiting Associate Professor Zheng Lei, analysed genetic data from more than 975,000 individuals and identified evidence for two distinct biological pathways underlying TMD — one associated with anxiety and another that appears to operate independently of mental health.

The findings reveal that anxiety-related genetics account for only around one-fifth of the inherited genetic risk for TMD. The remaining risk appears to involve biological processes linked to inflammation, musculoskeletal tissues, and pain processing.

By uncovering different genes, brain networks, and cell types associated with these pathways, the research offers a new framework for understanding the biological complexity of TMD.

While the findings do not define new clinical subtypes, they could help pave the way towards more precise research, diagnosis, and treatment and, ultimately, more personalised approaches to care.

Congratulations to our researchers on this important contribution to the global understanding of chronic pain! 👏

(image from left to right: NUS Dentistry students Yang Xin, Cao Yu, and Hou Bozhi, and Visiting A/P Zheng Lei)

Learn more the study here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41796324/

Congratulations to Dr Eunice Lua, whose research project received Second Prize at the Scientific Competition held during the NUS Dentistry Graduate Symposium! 🎉

Titled “Development of Cross-Modality Matching Approach for Pain Phenotyping — Preliminary Findings from Healthy Adults”, Dr Lua’s project explores whether pain can be better understood by looking beyond a single pressure pain threshold.

As part of Project MAP3 (Multi-modal Assessment of Pain: Pressure to Perception), the study uses individually calibrated pressure intensities alongside measures such as handgrip force, bite force, and pain drawings to develop a more comprehensive picture of pain perception. 💥

Preliminary findings suggest that pain may be better characterised through stimulus-response profiles across a continuum, rather than a single data point. While conventional findings showed lower pain thresholds among females, these differences became less apparent when responses across increasing pressure intensities were examined.

The findings are preliminary, with recruitment and analyses ongoing, but the successful demonstration of this novel approach provides an exciting foundation for future pain research.

The broader Project MAP3 brings together researchers from NUS Dentistry, NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and Umeå University, with support from the Singapore Dental Association Endowment Fund.

Congratulations to Dr Lua and the entire Project MAP3 research team on this well-deserved recognition! 👏

Read more about the award-winning project here: https://www.dentistry.nus.edu.sg/news/nus-dentistry-celebrates-excellence-in-pain-research-at-graduate-symposium-2026/

If pictures could speak a thousand words, these would tell the story of Rag & Flag 2026. 💙🧡

The energy. The passion. The joy. The sheer determination of our Dentistry students giving it everything they had on the Rag stage — and the unforgettable moment when all that hard work paid off.

On 8 August, NUS Dentistry took home Gold for both Rag & Flag, and was crowned the Overall Winner of Rag & Flag 2026! 🏆🥇

From the dance floor to the celebrations, these photos say it all. A moment of pride, a celebration of teamwork, and a memory our students will carry for years to come.

This is Dentistry spirit. This is what happens when you give it your all. ❤️‍🔥

🏅 Celebrating dedication and service.

We are delighted to congratulate our colleagues Ms Chiang Im-Ping Perina and Ms Goh Mei Ling on being conferred the Long Service Medal at the National Day Awards 2026.

The Long Service Medal recognises individuals who have dedicated many years of committed and exemplary service to Singapore. We are proud to celebrate Perina and Mei Ling for their unwavering commitment, professionalism and invaluable contributions to the NUS Faculty of Dentistry and the wider community.

Please join us in congratulating them on this well-deserved national honour! 👏

Read more: https://www.dentistry.nus.edu.sg/news/long-service-medal-national-day-awards-2026/

As populations across the world continue to age, promoting good oral health for older adults has never been more important 🧓👴👵.

On 24 July 2026, the ASEAN University Network – Geriatric Dentistry Thematic Network (AUN-GDENT) was officially established to advance collaborative education, research, and capacity building in geriatric dentistry across the region.

NUS Dentistry is proud to be one of the four founding institutions, alongside Universiti Malaya, Universitas Indonesia, and Khon Kaen University. The network was jointly spearheaded by Professors Jacob John, Linda Kusdhany, Waranuch Pitiphat, and Associate Professor Mun Loke Wong.

Guided by a five-year strategic plan, AUN-GDENT aims to strengthen inter-professional education, inform policy, and foster collaborative oral healthcare for older adults across ASEAN. Together with partners across the region, the network will work towards improving oral health and enhancing the quality of life of older adults — because healthy smiles support healthy ageing 😊.

Read more about the collaboration here: https://www.dentistry.nus.edu.sg/news/nus-dentistry-advances-geriatric-oral-health-with-new-thematic-network-under-the-asean-university-network-aun/

Take the next step towards advancing your dental career.

Whether you’re considering an MDS, PhD, MSc or Graduate Diploma, join us at the NUS Dentistry Postgraduate Open House 2026 to explore your options, hear from our faculty, and gain valuable insights into our postgraduate programmes.

📅 Saturday, 22 August 2026
⏰ 9.00am–12.00pm
📍 S10-05, NUS Faculty of Dentistry
📝 Register by 13 August 2026 (11.59pm): https://bit.ly/3TZJgxq

We look forward to welcoming you!

🎓✨ Congratulations to the NUS Dentistry Class of 2026!

On 11 July, we celebrated the remarkable achievements of our graduates as they marked the culmination of years of hard work, resilience and dedication.

A special congratulations to our Valedictorian, Dr Soh Shih Chi, whose heartfelt speech reminded us to embrace every challenge with courage and compassion.

As our newest graduates embark on the next chapter of their journey, we wish them every success as they make a meaningful impact on oral healthcare and beyond.

Do you have an interest in advancing oral healthcare through research and innovation?

Take the next step of your academic journey with the Graduate Degree by Research programmes offered by NUS Dentistry!

We are now accepting applications for:
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Master of Science (MSc) by Research

Our research programmes provide opportunities to work alongside leading academics in a vibrant and interdisciplinary environment, contributing to impactful discoveries that shape the future of dentistry and oral healthcare.

Application period: 16 July 2026 to 15 February 2027

More information on the programmes and application processes can be found on our Graduate Degree by Research webpage: https://www.dentistry.nus.edu.sg/research/gdr/

If you're ready to pursue research excellence and make a meaningful contribution to the field, we encourage you to apply now!