Jean Paul Demajo writes:
Uncle Tommy, Thomas Demajo, or “Dr Tommy”, as patients called him, was a remarkable dentist.
The son of Pasquale Demajo, a registered dentist from Rabat, he was the very first dentist to practise fixed restorative bridgework, bringing a change in the line of thinking and methods of treating patients.
Married to Tessie, née Zammit, and father of two daughters – Apollonia and Odette, herself also a dental surgeon and specialist periodontist – he graduated as a dental surgeon from The Royal University of Malta in 1946 and furthered his training at Northwestern University Dental School (NUDS) in Chicago, Illinois in 1951 and 1952, specialising in the line of prosthodontics.
Uncle Tommy was the first Maltese student to travel to the US to study. He spent his first year at NUDS as a foundation dental student, after which he spent another year in the Department of Prosthodontics, where he was also a part-time instructor in dental prosthetics.
Northwestern University conferred the degree of doctor of dental surgery in June 1952.
Working closely with patients as well as in the laboratory, he used to produce teeth cast in gold and porcelain. He was also a skilled dental technician, so much so that he became an instructor to local dental students.
Together with his brother, my grandfather, Anthony Demajo, he set up the first specialised dental clinic on the island. They brought a pioneering approach from the US, also setting up an in-house dental laboratory within Drs Demajo Dental Clinics.
He took great pride in his work, dedicating time to achieve durable aesthetic dental work. He was renowned for giving his patients necessary time and patience. I occasionally stumble across his dental work, still shiny and pristine after 50 odd years. Some patients tell me: “Dr Tommy did that in Merchants Street, Valletta. At the time, it cost a lot of money but look at it now”.
Unfortunately, he succumbed to old age and ill health. He will be dearly remembered in our family not just due to his benevolent caring character but also because of the strong love and dedication towards his profession.