The National Dental Centre of Singapore is committed to delivering a high level of quality oral care to all its patients. It provides the full range of oral care services, for patients of all age groups. It also serves patients who may require special care for even the simplest procedures due to pre-existing medical consitions or other complicating factors which require care to be sited at a tertiary level. 

We track and measure clinical indicators for commonly performed dental procedures as part of an overall programme for managing clinical quality:


Unplanned Returns Following Impacted Teeth Surgeries

Impacted teeth sugery is the surgical removal of diseases of impacted teeth, a common procedure performed by the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at the Ambulatory Surgery Centre, with the option of local or general anaesthesia.

Other than planned returns to the clinic to review healing and remove sutures, unscheduled returns can occur. Common reasons for these returns within 3 weeks of surgery include uncontrolled or prolonged pain, bleeding, infection or severe swelling. The percentage of unscheduled patient return is measured.

Title/Time Span	FY 08	FY 09	FY 10
% of Unscheduled Returns	2.34%	1.80%	0.97%
Total Number of Surgeries Done	5,083	5,220	5,670

 
Unplanned Returns Following Fillings

Dental fillings are placed where there is tooth structure loss, mostly due to decay or external trauma. The fillings restore function, integrity and morphology of the missing tooth structure. Fillings can be indicated by dental surgeons for patients undergoing tertiary care as part of supportive treatment to restore overall oral health and function. The service is available at the General Practice Unit. The number of unplanned returns within 3 months following the placing of fillings is measured.

Title/Time Span	FY 08	FY 09	FY 10
% of Unplanned Returns	1.61%	1.02%	0.81%
Total Number of Fillings Done	20,992	24,103	20,551