NDCS Launches Health Buddy Tool to Assess Gum Disease Risks

Key Takeaways

• New Self-Assessment Tool: NDCS introduces a screening tool on SingHealth’s Health Buddy app to evaluate risks of severe gum disease and oral frailty.
• Public Health Focus: Aligns with Healthier SG’s preventive care goals, addressing high gum disease prevalence (90% of adults) and low awareness (68.9% unaware of preventive check-ups).
• Targeted Features: Includes a six-question nomogram for gum disease and eight-question Oral Frailty Index-8 (OFI-8) for older adults.
• World Oral Health Day Launch: Tool to debut at NDCS forum on 15 March 2025, with public encouraged to download the app on-site.
• Clinical Guidance: High-risk users directed to CHAS Dental clinics or polyclinics for follow-up care.

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New Screening Tool Addresses Oral Health Gaps

SINGAPORE: The National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS) has launched an oral health screening tool on SingHealth’s Health Buddy mobile app, enabling users to self-assess their risk of severe gum disease and oral frailty. Available under the app’s “Dental Care” tab, the tool evaluates responses to a series of questions and provides recommendations for seeking professional care. This initiative aims to bridge awareness gaps highlighted by recent studies, which found 90% of Singaporean adults affected by gum disease and 12.5% of seniors aged 65+ without teeth.

High Prevalence, Low Awareness Drive Urgency

Gum disease, ranging from gingivitis to periodontitis, remains a silent public health challenge. Complications include tooth loss and links to systemic conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Meanwhile, oral frailty—a decline in oral function affecting chewing, swallowing, and speech—is tied to malnutrition and mortality risks in older adults. Despite these stakes, 68.9% of Singaporeans are unaware that regular dental visits can prevent gum disease. “Oral health is the window to our overall health,” emphasized CI A/Prof Lui Jeen Nee, NDCS Deputy CEO, underscoring the tool’s role in empowering proactive care.

Self-Assessment Features Empower Proactive Care

The tool’s two components—the Simplified Nomogram and Oral Frailty Index-8 (OFI-8)—guide users through targeted questions. The nomogram predicts severe gum disease risk using six metrics, while the OFI-8 assesses oral frailty via eight criteria. Users receive personalized feedback, progress tracking, and educational resources. High-risk individuals are advised to consult CHAS Dental clinics or polyclinics.

Integration with Healthier SG and Public Engagement

Aligned with Singapore’s Healthier SG initiative, the tool promotes preventive care by encouraging self-monitoring and early intervention. Its launch coincides with NDCS’s World Oral Health Day forum on 15 March 2025, themed “Healthy Teeth, Healthy You.” The event will feature talks on oral-systemic health links and attract nearly 300 attendees. Participants will be guided to download the app for immediate use.
Health Buddy is available on iOS and Android platforms. NDCS plans to expand digital dentistry initiatives, including tele-dentistry, ahead of its 2027 facility upgrade.

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About NDCS
NDCS is Singapore’s leading specialist center for integrated oral healthcare, training, and research. It addresses multi-generational needs through clinical services, education, and innovations like the National Dental Research Institute Singapore (NDRIS).