Cover Prof Chooi Gait Toh is currently professor of Restorative Dentistry at the International Medical University Malaysia (Photo: Daniel Adams)
Prof Chooi Gait Toh is currently professor of Restorative Dentistry at the International Medical University Malaysia (Photo: Daniel Adams)
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Meet the woman who has devoted her life to developing the field of dentistry in Malaysia
Prof Chooi Gait Toh’s eyes light up with glee as she describes how an Asian tech startup is using artificial intelligence (AI) in dentistry to analyse scans and diagnose conditions. “It’s exciting to see how they use AI in radiographic interpretation,” she enthuses, pausing tactfully at my bewildered expression to further explain: “Given an image of a radiograph, AI will automatically recognise some conditions and tell you what’s already there. It’s significant because radiographic findings feed into decision-making of the diagnosis.”
Far from a passive outsider to the field, Toh has over 38 years of experience in dentistry, along with the honour of being invited to set up the dentistry school at International Medical University Malaysia (IMU), where she is currently professor of Restorative Dentistry.
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Above Toh receiving the Faculty of Dental Surgery International Medal 2022 at the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh
Toh receiving the Faculty of Dental Surgery International Medal 2022 at the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh
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Blessed with an inquisitive mind and a drive to innovate, Toh’s outcome-based teaching approach and commitment to elevating the quality of dentistry research in the region have earned her the respect of colleagues, peers and even renowned international bodies like the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd). Aside from being awarded the RCSEd’s Faculty of Dental Surgery International Medal in 2022, she also serves as an examiner for the centuries-old surgical institution.
“I believe if you want innovation and creativity, you must learn to be flexible. In this industry, tradition tends to be very inflexible,” she says. “But when I was presented the Faculty of Dental Surgery International Medal by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, entering that hall with people standing up and clapping, and with bagpipes being played in front of me—I realised that tradition is good in that it celebrates excellence. Sometimes, in all our progress, we shouldn’t forget our roots and our traditions that shaped where we are today.”
Above Instead of retiring in 2007, Toh was asked to set up the dental school at IMU (Photo: Daniel Adams)
Instead of retiring in 2007, Toh was asked to set up the dental school at IMU (Photo: Daniel Adams)
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I focus on outcomes of learning, rather than just teaching basic dental skills. University is about preparing for a successful career and I believe education should be holistic, not just learning the science and techniques of the profession. It's about moulding young minds to think widely, to accept diversity, accept differences in opinion and to handle the challenges of a different environment.
That said, Toh wasn’t afraid to go against the grain of conventional teaching when she set up IMU’s faculty of dentistry. Favouring more practical, real-world training over rigid memorisation of formulas and facts, she encouraged her students to meet actual patients and develop the kind of clinical skills in their second year that most students would only learn in their fourth year.
“What’s important is not telling the students what to do, but letting them understand what they need to achieve and why they need this knowledge,” she says. “When you understand that this knowledge supports a certain function, you’ll always remember it, rather than memorising formulas. The better question is, why do you need that formula in the first place? Understanding why lets you be more flexible, more innovative, and maybe even have the courage to change that formula to achieve a better outcome.”
Above Toh has made a name for herself as the founding president of the International Association for Dental Research’s Malaysian chapter among other impressive roles (Photo: International Medical University Malaysia/Facebook)
Toh has made a name for herself as the founding president of the International Association for Dental Research’s Malaysian chapter among other impressive roles (Photo: International Medical University Malaysia/Facebook)
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Toh’s relentless commitment to excellence in her field has also led her to several eye-opening roles, namely as the founding president of the International Association for Dental Research’s Malaysian chapter, president of the South East Asian Association of Dental Education, founding council member of the Malaysian Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry, and many others.
Now with prestigious awards under her belt, Toh jokes that she’s happy to retire with the knowledge that she’s contributed positively to the profession as a whole. But retirement is the furthest thing from her mind this year as she has set her sights on a new passion project. Working with an external company, she’s helping to develop a computerised digital system that will be able to generate a diagnosis for dentists along with evidence-based treatment options and a sequenced treatment plan based on several prompt questions filled in by dentists.
“The world is going digital. Patients’ records are digital. At some point, clinical decision-making can be digital too,” she says. “You have different dentists coming and going with different kinds of training and experiences; and there may be gaps in their knowledge and experience. But if there were a system where we can improve patient safety and help dentists ensure they don’t miss out on some diagnoses and all the possible treatment options, it will be good for the patient.”
“Each phase takes quite some time to build and validate, because it involves working with computer experts and writing programmes and code,” she adds. “It makes you think differently and I learn a lot! The thought of having this as part of my legacy here is exciting. Ultimately, I like to be challenged and find new ways of thinking, rather than doing the same things all the time. Where’s the fun in that?”
Credits
Photography: Daniel Adams
Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
