The University of Malta’s research trust signed a sponsorship agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (Malta) Ltd for the setting up of a mobile dental clinic, which will be reaching out to sectors of Maltese society to conduct a national survey on oral health, while offering screening and advice.

This project is an initiative of the University’s Faculty of Dental Surgery and the aim is to raise awareness on healthcare within the community, the promotion of research and an increased active participation in the socio-economic well-being of the population.

GSK Malta country manager Monica Abdilla said: “GSK is a science-led global healthcare company that researches and develops a broad range of innovative products with the mission to enable consumers to do more, feel better and live longer. As part of this mission, our oral healthcare business focuses specifically on making the world’s mouths healthier. We aim to achieve this by working continuously to develop and bring new products for a wide range of oral healthcare needs.”

The trust’s CEO Wilfred Kenely said: “It is highly significant to have a world leading pharmaceutical company like GSK joining our efforts to carry out this project. This is a first for the University to embark on such a worthwhile dental outreach programme. To reach the community, the programme has two aims: sensibilising about the importance of dental care while at the same time gathering information at grassroots level for academic research.”

Faculty dean Nikolai Attard said: “The University’s Mobile Dental Clinic will be introducing educational preventive programmes that will hopefully result in an overall improvement where oral health care is concerned.”