July 2023
3YR UPDATE FROM DR SELINA LEOW
Dear Patients,
It’s amazing the small things you miss when you can’t use 2-hands. I’m not talking the obvious stuff – putting your hair up, not being able to cut up your own food, etc. I’m talking about the things that you don’t need to do but the things you’d like to do but can’t anymore. A few months ago, my children wanted to play Mah Jong (a Chinese game similar to Gin Rummy but using porcelain tiles). We only play periodically since you need 4 players. It struck me as I was playing – I can’t build the tiled walls as effectively anymore, I can’t feel the sensation of mixing the tiles as you swirl them around the table. Insignificant but a loss that I felt.
My 6-month scans have continued to remain clear. Always a relief to hear!
You may recall in my last letter that I was trialling the first myoelectric hand. My trip last June to the INTERPOL meeting at INTERPOL headquarters with my first hand trial was mixed. France was experiencing a very hot Summer and it highlighted the sweating situation - the stump slides out of position to the sensors that control the hand (thankfully, it doesn’t slide off due to the physical structure!). This meant that I couldn’t control the hand effectively though! The following months were spent trying to find solutions – powder (like talcum), anti-perspirant on the stump, special creams. All were not great alternatives, in my opinion, as all would potentially interfere with sensors as well. Some physical adjustments were made to the forearm part of the prosthesis over the stump which did improve things. I now just carry around a small cloth so that I can dry my stump if sweating and re-insert into the prosthesis. Not ideal but do-able. The trials for my myoelectric hand finished in February. I ended up doing trials of 4 different types including the newest on the market – the only waterproof hand in the world (at least available to average folks!). Needless to say, it’s the one I chose. Reports and submissions were completed by my prosthetist, the occupational therapist, the specialist and myself. After months of waiting, I was advised a few weeks ago that the hand has been approved! The prosthetist now has to order it in and check it etc before I can start to use it but I am excited! This hand looks more “robotic”. I figured the so-called “skin” coloured hand is never really my skin colour so if it is going to look fake then, let it look fake!
I became Chairperson of the Forensic Odontology Sub-Working Group of the INTERPOL DVI Committee in May 2023, I continue with my roles with the NSW Coroner and National roles. Also, I am one of the Forensic identification experts for recent multiple fatality events.
The past 12 months have been my hardest – mental health speaking. I struggled with the lack of structure and some forensic work-related politics. Thus, I was looking for other ways to pull myself out. I now drive one of the buggies (golf carts) at Westmead Hospital to assist visitors who struggle to walk the long distances within the Hospital. It is a volunteer role but combines my love of driving and my love of talking to people. More importantly, I have to get up and leave the house for a full day shift where I have the capacity to give back to my community. In the new year, I may have the opportunity to mentor some of the final year dental students to pass on some of my knowledge and experience.
In October 2023, Darren and I will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We will go on holidays for a few weeks including travelling on The Ghan (on my bucket list!). I’ll return for a couple of weeks before heading off to a closed INTERPOL meeting in Brazil in November.
I still pop into the surgery periodically as I still manage the admin side of things. It has been great catching up with many of you!
I miss you all!
Love,
Your dentist
Selina
Click here for June 2025 update.
If you wish to send a reply, please feel free to email us by clicking This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
7 June 2025
Dear Patients,
5 YEAR UPDATE FROM DR SELINA LEOW
The last two years since my last update have been interesting!
First and foremost, my scans have remained clear and, they tell me, that reaching the 5 year mark is a very positive sign. So, no more scans now for 2 more years.
Not long after my last letter to you, I received my new hand!
The new hand is quick. It has 24 grip capabilities but you only really use 4 or 5 grip patterns with any regularity. As I mentioned in my last letter, I decided not to go with a “skin-coloured” forearm so they made it from a black/silver carbon graphite. The hand itself is also a black/silver colour. It all looks very cool! The hand is still only for supportive measures but I can hold paper, a set of keys, my phone. I can hold a knife to cut things or hold a light shopping bag. It still doesn’t have great grip so I find that I mainly wear it when I am at a business function or lecturing in-person but at other times, without it is just as easy and lighter. I am glad that I have it though.
I was the Chairperson of the Forensic Odontology Sub-Working Group of the INTERPOL DVI Committee - a two year role which concluded in May 2025. I was very privileged to have been elected to such a position. I will still attend INTERPOL meetings as an Australian delegate, as I have done for many years. I continue with my roles with the NSW Coroner and National roles as well as one of the Forensic identification experts for recent multiple fatality events.
As I write this, Darren and I are preparing to cross the Nullarbor and travel through outback WA, NT & NSW before returning back to Sydney. We will be away for 4 weeks.
I still pop into the surgery periodically as I still manage the adminastrative side of things. It has been great catching up with many of you!
I miss you all!
Love
Your dentist
If you wish to send a reply, please feel free to email us by clicking This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Why do I need a Check-up?
When was the last time you had a check-up and clean? Has it been more than 6 months? The best interval for regular check-ups is SIX MONTHS. A lot can happen in this time. Most problems in dentistry usually start as something quite small. These problems at this stage are SO SMALL that they do not cause any pain or obvious issues. THIS is the time to do something about it! By the time problems get big enough to cause you problems, they are already substantially bigger - and much more costly to fix! It is far better to come for a regular check-up and clean than come for the occasional root canal therapy and a crown (or worse, an extraction)!
Additionally, you must also keep in mind, that just because you came in with a broken tooth or something repaired, it is not likely that the dentist was able to complete a thorough check-up OR clean during that visit.
If you have not had a check-up in the last six months, what are you waiting for?
Give us a call today and we will schedule a time to let you know exactly what is happening in your mouth!
We LOVE your Faces!
Stanhope Dental Centre (SDC) is running a Selfie competition which is open to ALL patients of SDC (existing patients and new patients) for a chance to win $100 treatment voucher/credit at SDC.
To enter, just send us a selfie image of your smiling face! If you don't know how to take a selfie or how to email a photo, that is OK...simply come into the clinic and one of our friendly staff can take an image for you at the front desk and add it to your patient file.
Instructions on how to enter and T&C’s
Take a selfie and send it in to SDC for your chance to win a $100 “in-surgery” voucher for you to put towards any aspect of your dental treatment.
- Take a selfie on your phone.
- Send your photo by Email or text to us (small image size is OK with email). We can take your photo for you if you prefer.
- Email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - or text to: 0488 853 806
- Entry must also include your name as we have it recorded on your patient file.
- Entry will only be valid to persons who have a PATIENT FILE at SDC.
- One entry per patient per twelve month period. Multiple family members may enter using the same text number or email address provided each selfie can be identified as to each patient.
- Valid Selfie entries must be of the person named, and must show their whole face.
- Winner will be selected at RANDOM from entries received during the competition period.
- All information and images received will be treated in strictest confidence and stored on your patient file. Details will not be shared to any third party.
- Competition duration: competition will be seasonal. See below for the date of the draw.
- Winner will be notified by text message or email.
- Prize ($100 in surgery credit) to be used on any service item within the practice and is valid for 12 months from win/draw date.
- $100 credit will be applied to GAP fees giving you better "value"!
- Prize is not transferable
- Prize money is not redeemable for cash.
- Prize can not be used for Oral Hygiene Products or "Stock" purchases.
- Can not be used in conjunction with any other offer.
This is a very easy "competition" that ANY patient of Stanhope Dental Centre can win. Take a selfie and send.
Get started now using the email link below:
Send us your selfie - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Entries close 31-11-2024 and draw will take place on 1-12-2024 - Good luck to EVERYONE.
**Conditions of Entry apply**:
if you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy, please call the surgery IN ADVANCE of your dental appointment.**
- Wear a Mask: It is HIGHLY RECCOMENDED that all patients and support persons wear masks whilst inside our premises. Full mask policy document available here.
- Be Free of any any flu like symptoms please cancel appointments if you are unwell.
- You must NOT have tested positive to COVID-19 in the preceding TEN (10) Days: Although you may be free to move about the community, in the medical setting, it is best to avoid this until after day 10.
- You must NOT BE a close contact of a person with COVID-19: Additionally, you must NOT have had contact with any known cases in the preceding 7 days nor directed to isolate. Again, NSW Health recommends avoiding the medical setting as a close contact of a person with COVID-19
- ONLY persons with a dental appointment should attend unless patient is under 18 and is accompanied by ONE parent or guardian or is ELDERLY or infirm and again has ONE care person.
- It is no longer a requirement to sign in using the service NSW QR code etc.
Additional COVID-19 Information
- Stanhope Dental Centre is a family-centred practice however in this current environment, only persons who have an appointment with the dentist should arrive at the practice (exceptions include ONE parent or guardian, or ONE carer/translator IF REQUIRED);
- Please arrive to your appointment ON TIME. Do not arrive early or late. This minimizes the numbers of people in the waiting room area - consider waiting in your car.
- If you have an appointment and the surgery appears closed or unattended, please just wait in your car. We will call you in when we are ready. If the door is open, you may wait in the waiting area provided that you practice all social distancing guidelines.
- Be prepared with your own electronic devices and reading material in case you need to wait - especially if you have children with you (WiFi details available at the desk);
- Please pay for your treatment using contactless payment wherever possible.
- Stay reliably informed by experts from the World Health Organisation (who.int), NSW Department of Health or the Australian Government's UPDATE. (DO NOT act on advice from your neighbours, your friends, hearsay, the media, FaceBook and other social media platforms!)
- Visit our HOME PAGE and stay up to date with Stanhope Dental Centre's current policies.
Staff as close contacts:
If a staff member is considered to be a "close contact" of a person with COVID-19, according to NSW health, they are permitted to work providing the following conditions are met:
- They must test DAILY (RAT) and must report a NEGATIVE test prior to commencement of their shift
- They must be SYMPTOM FREE and report any changes
- They must wear a mask AT ALL TIMES that they are indoors at the practice
- They must eat all meals in an outdoor area
These requirements are in place for the safety of all staff and patients. This remains in place for SEVEN days from their associated "close contact". This is NOT a double standard in respect to "patients as close contacts", as a patient is not able to remain MASKED AT ALL TIMES whilst in the practice. If you have any questions about this policy or wish to enquire about the status of all staff members for the day of your appointment, please do not hesitate to contact the surgery.
In addition to our already high standards of infection control, Stanhope Dental Centre has:
- Provided hand sanitizer at the front desk for patients to access and use;
- Disinfected door knobs and counter surfaces after patient contact;
- Removed magazines and display books from the waiting room area (very difficult to disinfect effectively).
- Removed children’s toys from the Toy corner of the waiting room.
We have always...
- Sterilised all instruments after every single patient;
- Thoroughly disinfected all surfaces and equipment within the surgery room, including the dental chair, after every single patient;
- Swept and mopped all floors and bathrooms are regularly;
- Thoroughly washed hands with soap and water or approved Alcohol Based Hand Rub (ABHR) before and after each patient as well as wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including masks, gloves and protective eye-wear at all times when treating patients;
- Disposable PPE are thrown away after each patient.
Other things you can do...
- Practise good personal hygiene principles including:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. Hand sanitizer alone is not always enough.
- Use disposable tissues or your elbow when coughing or sneezing
- Instruct the children and young people in your care on these principles
- Brush and floss your teeth twice per day to ensure that your mouth, teeth and gums stay healthy – the mouth is one of the main entry points for infection;
COVID-19 continues to be an evolving international health concern and we will be guided by health professionals and relevant guidelines and update our policies as needed.
Notice to all patients:
Since April 1 2020, Dr Selina Leow has changed her role within the practice. For further information, please ring the surgery where we can give you a detailed report.
We thank you for your understanding.
Yours sincerely,