China and Taiwan Universities Form a Partnership
While Taiwan is known to have much better dental facilities than China, the island nation has one major problem. It seems its population is too fond of chewing betel nuts, which are known to be implicated in the development of oral cancer, gum disease and other dental problems.
In order to combat this Chung Shan Medical University in Taiwan has signed a partnership agreement with Wuhan University in China. The latter is a renowned centre of excellence in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Speaking with reporters after signing the agreement, Ho Chuan-chen, an associate professor at CSMU College of Oral Medicine, said: “Due to the Taiwanese habit of chewing betel nut, the country has higher rates of oral cancer, gum disease and other related illness compared with China. As a result, Taiwanese dentists are specialized in treating oral cancer and gum disease.”
Ho added: “China, on the other hand, has internationally recognized oral and maxillofacial surgical techniques and Taiwan can learn from Wuhan University’s experience.”
The dental and medical health systems operating in China and Taiwan are very different. Most Chinese graduates tend to wok in the country’s large hospitals, mainly because of the tough regulations imposed on dentists who want to offer private treatment. In Taiwan though, most newly qualified dentists prefer to open their own clinics.
The partnership will therefore be able to offer insights into the different practices in operation on both sides of the straight.
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