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A couple of articles are added each month with many more articles provided in the CAS's Maple Leaf Times (eMLT) magazine. To receive your eMLT magazine sent directly to your inbox (8 issues per year), become a member of the Canadian Association of Singapore. Visit the CAS website to register -- www.canadians.org.sg

Saturday, May 1, 2021

CIS Student Sails to Victory

Canadian International School (CIS) grade 4 student Tiago sailed away with a win in his category at the recent Singapore Youth Sailing Championship 2021. He secured third spot overall. The regatta counted towards school rankings, resulting in CIS coming 7th in the Silver Fleet category! 

Tiago has always been active in soccer, rugby, hockey and tennis but he eventually decided to specialise in sailing. He trains twice a week on weekends and participates in national races on a regular basis with a long-term goal of being invited to train with the Singapore national team. 


Being an avid sailor means that Tiago devotes a significant amount of time to practice and competitions including the Singapore Youth Sailing Championship. Even so, he has never let his busy schedule get in the way of his studies. With the help of supportive parents, homeroom teacher (Ms Daisy Zhang) and his own diligence, he was able to ensure he was up to date with all his lessons by managing his time properly. 

According to his mum Cindy and dad Claudio, winning is really just a lucky by-product of his commitment to the sport. Tiago has also learned how to be independent and responsible, and how to face and overcome challenges calmly through sailing. In fact, his commitment and determination are exactly what helped him secure the top spot in his category this year. 

Want to know more about CIS and our programmes? Visit www.cis.edu.sg or contact our Admissions team on +65 6734 8088.

How to Prevent Cavities?


Cavities, or tooth decay, are formed when bacteria eat away a tooth, starting from the enamel (outermost layer) and towards the dentin (inner layer). A cavity is irreversible and would require treatment to prevent it from worsening. 

Here are some ways to prevent cavities from forming and worsening:

•    Avoid overconsumption of acidic drinks such as coffee, wine, alcohol and soft drinks as these would erode the enamel protecting our teeth. 

•     Reduce intake of sugary foods to reduce the amount and time sugar remains in our mouth. This would directly reduce the amount of dental plaque formed. 

•     Refrain from snacking frequently as each time we snack, plaque in our mouth uses sugar found in food to make acid that attacks our enamel.

•    Drink plenty of plain water to keep your mouth clean. If you must consume acidic drinks, sugary foods or snacks, remember to drink water or rinse well to dilute the acids produced by bacteria in your mouth.

•    Maintain good oral home care by brushing two times a day, for two minutes each with a fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day. This will help to remove food particles, bacteria and dental plaque.

•    Get regular check-ups with your dental specialist / dentist to ensure cavities are found and addressed before the symptoms (e.g. pain or sensitivity) appear. 

It is possible to be cavity-free. Prevention and early detection are crucial in avoiding costly and major dental treatments. And remember, it is never too young to start.


Dr Tan Kian Meng is a Dental Specialist in Prosthodontics with Specialist Dental Group®. He is also a Clinical Lecturer at the National University of Singapore and Diplomate with the American Board of Prosthodontics. He was formerly a Consultant at Singapore’s Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and Fellow of Maxillofacial Prosthetics and Oncologic Dentistry Fellowship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr Tan has special interest in prosthetic and implant restorative dentistry.

http://www.specialistdentalgroup.com | (65) 6733 7883

Specialist Dental Group® is a corporate sponsor of the Canadian Association of Singapore (CAS. CAS members enjoy a special rate for dental services.