Professor Nikolai Attard, Dean of the University of Malta’s School of Dentistry, told The Malta Independent that many oral health issues stem from a lack of awareness. He emphasized the role played by the university’s Mobile Dental Unit (MDU) in improving oral health in the nation.
The idea for the MDU began around 2010, when the university sought to connect more closely with the community and provide dental consultation services. After internal discussions within the university, the university partnered with the Research, Innovation and Development Trust (RIDT) and worked diligently to secure sponsorship.
Professor Attard and Vice Dean Dr. Gabriella Gatt oversaw fundraising for the project.
After a lengthy process of convincing sponsors, funding was secured, and an engineer converted a car into a fully equipped mobile dental clinic. After numerous on-site meetings and technical adjustments, the unit was officially launched in 2015.
Since then, the MDU has expanded to every town and village in Malta and Gozo, doubling its service coverage in recent years to over 70 clinics annually.
Coordinated by Dr. Anne-Marie Agius, lecturer in preventive and community dentistry, the MDU integrates teaching with practical experience.
Students work with mobile teams to provide care in schools, town squares, and community centers. Dr. Agius emphasizes, “Without oral health, there is no overall health—the mouth is the gateway to the body.”
The MDU hosts two weekly events: one specifically for schools and one for the wider community. Specialists such as pediatric dentists participate in these events, providing their expertise directly to children and families.
Local councils, non-governmental organizations, and businesses also collaborate with the department to host health-related events, screenings, and outreach activities.
Residents frequently express their gratitude for this free service, especially those who cannot afford dental treatment or have limited mobility.
Dr. Agius noted that many people discovered the clinic through outreach and encouraged people to follow the MDU Facebook page for updates.
This service not only benefits the community but also enhances the training of students. Participants learn professionalism, communication skills, and social responsibility, while gaining practical experience beyond the traditional dental chair.
Professor Attard describes the program as “an alternative model of dentistry that allows students to address unmet needs in society.”
Over time, the clinic expanded its facilities, adding tents and mobile treatment chairs to accommodate more patients during major events.
Importantly, the MDU is also able to detect early signs of serious conditions, such as tumors and precancerous lesions, and refer patients to hospital specialists for urgent care.
In addition to its clinical work, the MDU is also committed to academic research, with students and faculty integrating community dentistry into their studies from undergraduate to doctoral levels.
Reflecting on the MDU’s tenth anniversary, both Professor Attard and Dr. Agius are proud of its growth and its impact on vulnerable populations, including immigrants and those living in difficult circumstances.
They say the program has not only transformed public perceptions of oral health but also trained a new generation of dentists, enabling them to more effectively serve the nation.