The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.128)

2020 • 11 34 Green Initiatives of the Dental Clinic pecial Feature Reported and photographs by Low Siew Lian Translated by Jilly Bong “To ensure hygiene and safety, dental treatment requires various disposables to be used. Because of this, some conclude that dentistry is one of the least environmental-friendly professions.” However, ever since dentist Ng Guat Kiat and her assistants responded toTzu Chi’s call for recycling, they have proven that they too can practise environmental protection. D r. Ng Guat Kiat, who has been volunteering at the Tzu-Chi Free Clinic in Malacca for the past 18 years, is one of the dentists in the pioneer group to join the Free Clinic and is the current convenor of the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) Malacca. When she first joined the Free Clinic, she was attracted to the sight of volunteers devoting themselves towards recycling. Now, she often participates in recycling work with her daughter. Growing up in a humble family, Dr. Ng remains frugal. One can find furniture aged more than 20 years at her home. More than a decade ago, she would salvage her son’s partially unused exercise book pages and store