CIS student reaches finals in prestigious Doodle 4 Google competition

Grade 9 Canadian International School (CIS) student, Elodie Yeo, recently wowed judges to reach the inals in her age category of the prestigious Doodle 4 Google competition. 

The competition, organised by search engine giant Google, was held to commemorate Singapore's 50 years of independence. From across the sland, school children aged 4 to 18 years were invited to create a doodle that encompassed the Google logo as well as their vision of what Singapore will look like in the next 50 years. 

Elodie's doodle titled Destiny, was selected by a panel of judges as one of the five best designs in the 13 - 15 years age group. Her design encompasses many of Singapore's most famous landmarks such as the Merlion and Marina Bay Sands, along with other notable sights and developments she believes will exist in the future. These include a cutting-edge bullet train, tall ultramodern buildings and beautiful eco friendly surroundings. The entire design is in black and white, leaving the vivid colours of Singapore's future up to the viewer's imagination. 

" I really enjoyed participating in this competition", said Elodie. "The unique theme and art medium were some of the main reasons that inspired me to enter. I have been drawing since I was young and love any opportunity to sit down and sketch, especially manga and landscapes. My favourite class at CIS is Art where thanks to all the great teachers, I am continually introduced to new and exciting art forms and genres." 

To read more about CIS and their students' achievements visit www.cis.edu.sg

Ask the Dentist : How do I ensure my children still have a great time while minimizing the damage done to their teeth?

Q: I am a mother with two girls, aged four and six. They are looking forward to the annual Halloween event. I am apprehensive as my elder daughter got a tooth filling recently despite all my efforts with looking after their teeth. I do not want to be a party pooper, so how do I ensure my children still have a great time while minimizing the damage done to their teeth?

A: I would like to applaud your efforts in taking care of your children’s dental health and well being. As parents, we play an important role in helping our children develop good oral habits so that they can have strong and healthy teeth.

Here are some tips to keep your children cavity-free during Halloween (and all year round).

Choose dark chocolate and powdery candies

Hard candies such as lollipops are sucked on for a long time before dissolving completely. This prolonged exposure of teeth to sugar increases the risk of tooth decay.

Candies that are sticky and gooey, such as caramel and gummy bears, cling to the teeth. More time is required for it to be washed away by one’s saliva.

Powdery candies or chocolates (without fillings such as nuts or raisins) are better choices as they dissolve quickly and do not stick to the teeth. Where possible, opt for dark chocolate. Dark chocolate has lower sugar content and is high in anti-oxidants. High amount amounts of anti-oxidants in saliva have been shown to fight gum disease.

Consume candies during or shortly after meals

Saliva, the major caries preventive agent, is produced when one chews food. Therefore, the best timing for your child to enjoy treats would be during or shortly after meals. This is when there is a large amount of saliva that neutralises the acidity level of the mouth and slows down mineral loss from the teeth.

Drink water instead of soft/sweet drinks

Tooth decay is caused by acid-producing bacteria in one’s mouth that feast on carbohydrates (sugar and starch). Therefore, instead of consuming soft/sweet drinks, it would be the best to stay hydrated with plain water.

Provide alternatives

Apart from limiting the intake of candies, you can provide healthy snacks as an alternative, such as cheese, vegetables and fruits. If the child still needs a sweet fix, give sugar-free candies.

Creative alternatives to food include Halloween-themed toys, stationary, stickers and little books.

Visit a dentist/Paedodontist regularly

One of the ways to prevent or minimise cavities is to ensure that your children see the dentist/paedodontist regularly for dental check-ups. Besides a good professional cleaning to remove any plaque build-up, this will ensure that potential dental issues can be identified and treated ahead of time.

Have fun Trick-or-Treating with your spectacular (not “spooktacular”) smiles!



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Dr Steven Soo is a Dental Specialist in Prosthodontics with Specialist Dental Group®. He was formerly a Clinical Lecturer at the Eastman Dental Institute and Clinical Teacher at the GKT Dental Institute, both of which are affiliated with the University of London. Dr Soo has a special interest in prosthetic and implant restorative dentistry. For more information, visit www.specialistdentalgroup.com.

Phone: +65 6733 7883

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Do you have questions related to your teeth, mouth or oral health? 

Drop us a note with the subject titled “Ask The Dentist” at 

info@specialistdentalgroup.com to have them answered by the team at Specialist Dental Group®. 

If your question is featured, we will send you a pair of movie tickets! 

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Specialist Dental Group® is a corporate sponsor of the Canadian Association of Singapore (CAS). CAS members enjoy a special rate for dental services. For details, send an enquiry via www.specialistdentalgroup.com or call 6733 7883.

Hanging out at the "Barre!

By Jessica Gan

Key benefits of Barre Pilates

A. Gives you a firm butt.

B. Targets the calf muscles, the soleus and gastrocenimius, which are often neglected when working out on gym machines.

How? Start with Plie position. Inhale. Exhale as you tip toe up and squeeze your butt.

For variation? You may also like to use some dumbbells to add resistance.

See you at the Barre!

More tips email: jessica.gan@alumni.utoronto.ca

Sipadan Island, MalaysiaI

By Terry Booth / Photo by Charlene Kwan

Jacques Cousteau famously quoted "I have seen other places like Sipadan, 45 years ago, but now no more. Now we have found an untouched piece of art."

Located in the Celebes Sea off the east coast of Sabah, East Malaysia, Sipadan is the only oceanic island in Malaysia, an isolated pinnacle rising 600 metres from the seabed.

Times have changed since Jacques donned his primitive self-contained underwater breathing apparatus and for years, divers both novice and experienced have been drawn to this sub-aqua mecca in the hordes.

The subsequent over-diving led to damaged reefs and a marine life that could not cope with the stress caused by too many divers on Sipadan Island. Since 2005 all resorts had to relocate away from Sipadan Island and since April 2006 a strictly enforced permit system was introduced for all divers wanting to dive at Sipadan, limiting the number of divers to just 120 a day from the 12 neighbouring resorts.

The very real threat from the Abu Sayyaf guerrillas (a famous mass kidnapping from Sipadan in 2000) and a slew of regular incidents up and down the Borneo coastline and neighbouring islands has led to bans on night travel and night dives and mandates a permanent military presence on Sipadan and night time guards at the resorts.

But despite this top side turmoil and remote location, divers are not dissuaded by the limited access (typically only one permit per diver every four days of stay) or armed guards. Consistently voted two of the world’s best dives sites, Barracuda Point and The Drop Off, along with the promise of tornados of barracudas and jacks and the swarms of schooling sharks and turtles, lure a stream of eager disciples.

Generally slow drift dives along sheer walls dripping in hard and soft corals, minimal effort is expended whilst gazing at the rich flora and fauna, a magnificent leopard shark serenely gliding by with gentle swishes of its’ elongated tail steals the show. And even for the most jaded diver, witnessing up close the mass congregation of giant bumphead parrot fish is awe inspiring. 

However too often, divers are so focused on going to Sipadan Island that they don’t realize how much the other islands have to offer too. These islands are often treated as “filler songs in an album with one hit single”.

Yes, Sipadan Island is special in that it is an oceanic island while the other islands sit on the continental shelf. So the kind of marine life you see at Sipadan Island will be different from the others. Memorable dives are also had at these islands with an abundance of macro critters, frog and crocodile fish at both Mabul and Kapalai Islands.

With its’ rich history and diverse and impressive marine life it should be obligatory for any serious diver to make the pilgrimage to these holy waters at least once in their lifetime.

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Note: This will be Terry's last article as he is leaving Singapore.

Can we really make a difference?

By Lori Gunn, Grade 12 student at CIS

This was at the forefront of my thoughts as I listened to Janne Ritskes, the founder of the Tabitha Foundation, speak to a group of Grade 11 CIS students earlier this year. Tabitha helps Cambodians help themselves out of poverty. We were 12 girls and four boys about to embark on a 9-day service trip to Cambodia and discover just how strong and determined we really were. 

On our first day in Phnom Penh, we visited a primary school where we taught students new skills and helped them with their English lessons. Many of these young children would be out working instead of going to school if it weren't for their families being provided with food if they sent their children  to school.

The following morning, we attended a soccer training with Happy Football Cambodia Australia, a soccer club that provides an opportunity for disadvantaged and homeless youth to play amateur athletics. We had a friendly football match with these athletes and were soundly trounced! 

Next was an unforgettable tour of S21 and the Killing Fields. Learning about the Cambodian genocide first hand gave us a deep understanding that we could never gain in a classroom. It also gave greater meaning to our house building mission. I was very nervous about this. Could I make a meaningful contribution? These families had worked hard, investing a dollar at a time towards the cost of the building materials that would become their homes.

With sweat pouring down our faces, we hammered floor boards and siding until our hands were blistered through the gloves we were wearing. We had never worked so hard before!  

By the end, we had built houses for six very happy families. Their smiling faces are an image we will carry with us always. 

Here’s how to target your muffin top!

By Jessica Gan

A. Stand with your feet hip distance apart.

B. Hold just one weight plate or a dumbbell. Holding with both hands is counter productive!

C. Make sure your back is straight and knees are not hyperextended.

D.  Lower your shoulder down towards the floor. Crunch your obliques. Exhale when you crunch and envision muffin top melting away...


Set fitness goals for the last quarter of 2015. 

Achieve and enjoy!

ASK THE DENTIST: Q&A. How much downtime do I need to cater for dental implant surgery?

Q: I have 1 missing tooth and I am planning to get a dental implant. As an air cabin crew, I would like to know if I can get everything done during my layover in Singapore. Is it safe for me to fly immediately after the dental implant surgery?  

A:  Dental implants are a permanent solution for one or multiple missing teeth. They look, feel and function just like your natural teeth. 

If your dental and bone condition are deemed suitable after consultation and examination by the dentist, then the dental implant can be placed even on the same day as your initial consultation. 

A titanium screw – the dental implant, is placed into your jaw bone to replace the root of the missing tooth. The implant serves as an anchor for your new tooth. 

To ensure that you leave the clinic with a complete smile, a temporary replacement tooth will usually be fabricated and fitted on the same day as implant placement. 

The surgery can be performed under local anaesthesia. It is generally recommended for you to come back to the clinic for a quick review the next day. 

Thereafter, a healing period is required for the bond to be formed between the implant and your bone (osseointegration). During this period of two to six months, it is safe to fly and you should be able to speak and eat as per usual. Just take note to avoid chewing on hard nuts and the like on the temporary tooth. 

After that, you will need to visit the dentist to have an impression of your teeth taken for your new permanent crown. 7 to 10 days later, once the laboratory has fabricated the tooth, another last visit is required to have your permanent crown fitted. 

Your new teeth will look, feel and function just like your natural teeth. You should care for them as you would care for your natural teeth. This includes brushing with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, flossing at least once day, and visiting your dentist every 6 months for a check-up and professional cleaning.

Dr Debbie Hong is an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon with Specialist Dental Group®. She received her training in the specialty area of oral & maxillofacial surgery from the University of Singapore. Dr Hong was the Recipient for the Silver Jubilee Award by NUS Dental Society for her outstanding performance. Dr Hong has a special interest in dental implants, jaw surgery and complex extractions. For more information, visit www.specialistdentalgroup.com. 

Phone: +65 6733 7883.

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Do you have questions related to your teeth, mouth or oral health? 

Drop us a note with the subject titled “Ask The Dentist” at 

info@specialistdentalgroup.com to have them answered by the team at Specialist Dental Group®. 

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Specialist Dental Group® is a corporate sponsor of the Canadian Association of Singapore (CAS). CAS members enjoy a special rate for dental services. For details, send an enquiry via www.specialistdentalgroup.com or call 6733 7883.

Phuket’s Newest Enchanting Escape

By  Heavens Portfolio

Positioned in the woodlands and nestled well 

away from the crowds on Phuket’s west coast, Keemala is close enough to the liveliness of Patong, yet far enough to enjoy thetranquil surroundings of the rainforest.

The soon to open resort, harnesses and celebrates the culture of four fictitious Phuket tribes, the ‘

Pa-Ta-Pea’ (Earth), the ‘Khon-Jorn’ Wanderers), the ‘We-Ha’ (Sky), and the ‘Rung-Nok’ (Nest) people. Their way of life is infused into the overall philosophy; the spa, holistic treatments, activities, gastronomy and villa designs all derive from tribal attributes - resulting in a magical experience for guests.

Shaded by an enchanted rainforest canopy and connected together by a network of jungle walkways, each villa has a private pool.

The enchanted garden at Keemala is not only a working garden but also a space for relaxation and getting in touch with nature for guests and visitors. Naturally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs are harvested and used within Keemala’s dining outlets and spa.

Throughout the year, the property will welcome special visits by world-renowned practitioners who specialise in holistic therapies and traditional healing including sound healing, shiatsu by a world-class master, somato-experiencing and trauma elease, traditional Chinese medicine, Mayan 

traditional massage, holistic cupuncture, aromatherapy, vibration attunement, Nia martial arts dance, Watsu and Maori traditional healing to name a few.  

Guests can also meet Keemala’s three resident water buffalos and learn about their daily routine and significance in Thai culture. Born in Phattalung Province in Southern Thailand, the trio was rescued from the slaughterhouse and now makes their permanent home at Keemala’s Enchanted Garden.

www.keemala.com

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For special offers and to learn more about the Grand Opening package, please contact Heavens Portfolio at :

singaporeoffice@heavensportfolio.com or call +65 6238 1718.