Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Fadhli bin Khamis
“On behalf of MDSA, thank you for accepting our invitation as a special guest for today. Doctor, can you briefly tell us about where you came from and why did you choose dentistry?”
Thank you very much to MDSA, for this interview session. I am from Muar, Johor, I had my primary school there also. Then, I pursued my study in University of Malaya, Bachelor of Dental Surgery. At that time, there is only one dental school in Malaysia, it was back in 1990-1994, and I graduated in 1994 from University of Malaya. And why did I choose dentistry? Dentistry has a lot of clinical skills, you use a lot of your hands, I think I like it very much, especially the conservative component. Even though now I am doing Forensic Odontology, but during my undergraduate days this is the discipline I enjoyed very much. Having said that, other components also I am fine with it. For me, I enjoyed it but the discipline I enjoyed the most is the conservative component.
“Becoming the Dean of USM School of Dentistry is not easy. Can you share with us a little bit about your story that lead up to your formal position as a Dean of USM School of Dentistry?”
I started my career in University Science Malaysia, as a trainee lecturer 18 years ago, back in 2000. Then, USM offered me a scholarship, to pursue my study in Forensic Odontology for four years until I obtained my PHD in University of Adelaide. In University of Adelaide, they have a Forensic Odontology Unit. This unit is funded by South Australian Police, and we work for them. They refer cases, we do a post-mortem, and the report goes back to them, the police. I finished the study in 2006, then I became a lecturer, I teach oral biology and dental anatomy. Back then, there were not many lecturers coming back yet, at the earlier stage of School of Dental Sciences. So basically I involved in more than just teaching Oral Biology, I do research as well, and some administrative work as a Phase 1 Chairperson. In 2013, I was appointed as a Deputy Dean of Academic. At that time, I looked after undergraduate and postgraduate students, and the program as well. As of 1st of January 2019, the university appointed me as a Dean.
“Doctor, one of your specialties is Forensic Dentistry. Can you tell us briefly about what it is and why were you interested in this field? At the same time, can you share with us how does this specialty apply in our daily lives and some interesting events that you have encountered?”
Forensic Dentistry is a discipline, one of the specialties in dentistry in Malaysia that we recognise. The work as a forensic odontologist or forensic dentist, we apply what we know, our competency, our skills and knowledge in dental sciences. We serve for justice, we work with legal, and our reports will go to the court. Our work consists of human identification process. That basically covers the main job of forensic odontologists. And also, we have referred cases where the police request us to assist them to evaluate the dental age, the legal age, which basically is the most dominant job of a forensic odontologist in Malaysia. In addition to that, a bit rare, but sometimes we do get cases of bite mark, and we assist the police with the investigation for cases associated with domestic violence or child abuse. Sometimes we do have that kind of cases. For my experience in forensic odontology in Malaysia, I started from 2006 until now. Some of the highlight of cases is MH17. For MH17, we were involved in the ante-mortem phase in the disaster victim identification process. Basically my job at that time was to decipher the ante-mortem dental records, and supply this information to my colleagues in Netherlands, I supply them with data. So that was basically my involvement in MH17.
“Doctor, as the dean of USM School of Dentistry, can you share with us about your vision and future plans to improve USM School of Dentistry? “
I have to align my vision with the university’s vision. Basically we have to excel in our research and publication. Of course, we want to be the preferred university as a dental program provider, in line with the vice chancellor’s vision. In order to be the preferred dental school in Malaysia, we have to work smart and we have to provide a good learning space and environment to our students. When I say students, it means it covers undergraduate and also postgraduate students. And also, the curriculum design and the quality assurance of our curriculum needs to be reviewed. Our curriculum will be updated with 21st century challenges. I believe also the talent, meaning that the lecturers, the academic staffs, the supporting staffs, all need to keep up their knowledge and their competency with the current challenges. I believe that our School of Dental Sciences can be a preferred dental education provider.
“Doctor, here comes our last question. In your opinion, what are the criteria that a good dentist should have?”
In my opinion, there are several competencies that you should have. The attributes, it is not just limited to academic achievement. It is not just limited to clinical skills and hand skills. It is more than that, because as a dentist, you treat patients, you deal with human beings. Therefore, there are other attributes like soft skills, it is very important. Respect, professionalism, ethics, values. That is also very, very important. Effective communication skills with your patients. It is very, very important as well.