Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine Arizona and Planmeca today announce cooperative efforts to expand restorative dentistry to the Kingdom of Tonga by donating CAD/CAM dentistry equipment and software.
This donation, coordinated by P. Bradford Smith D.D.S, Dean of Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine Arizona and Planmeca USA Schools and Institutions Sales Manager Don Erickson, increases the level of dental care in the form of indirect restorations for the first time to the population of over 100,000. With the donation of a Planmeca mills, two Planmeca intraoral scanners with laptops, and Planmeca Romexis and Planmeca PlanCAD Easy Design and Mill software, the Tongan dental team at Vaiola Hospital can help the people of the island nation save their teeth by fabricating restorative crowns onsite at the clinic at a significantly reduced cost. In addition, the group of nine dentists will complete onsite restorations within a single patient visit, critical time savings for those who may travel from the outer islands.
Dr. Smith remarks that this is possibly the first instance of an intraoral scanner and mill in the small island chains of the South Pacific. Unfortunately, the cost of manufacturing crowns has been prohibitive to the Tongan population as well as the extended time in sending impressions overseas to be milled and returned for placement.
Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine Arizona has been conducting mission trips to Tonga for over ten years, assisting in providing dental equipment and continuing education to advance the levels of dental care. Previous mission trips resulted in implementing a dental assistance program for four-handed dentistry, advancing orthodontia care, and providing didactic and hands-on training on implantology.
In late 2019 on their last mission trip before travel restrictions, the Midwestern University volunteers worked with Dr. Afa Taulangovaka and the dental team to place 15 implants. Using the Planmeca CAD/CAM system, the dentists will be adept at milling crowns to complete the process.
Planmeca partners with organizations through donorship and outreach to provide needed dental care to the underserved, ultimately enhancing their wellness and quality of life. “Planmeca has made contributions worldwide, including the donations of dental units and imaging products. The expansion of a contribution in the area of CAD/CAM dentistry is a great addition to our outreach to provide improved dental care,” noted Jussi Ylisaari, Director of After Sales and University Projects at Planmeca Oy.
About Planmeca USA:
Planmeca USA is a subsidiary of Planmeca, the largest privately held company in the dental equipment market and one of the industry’s leading manufacturers of dental X-rays and core equipment. With a North American office located in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, and international headquarters in Helsinki, Finland, Planmeca is well established in high-tech dental markets and currently serves 120 countries worldwide. For more information, visit planmeca.com.
Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit graduate and postgraduate educational institution specializing in the health sciences with 14 colleges located on two campuses. The Illinois campus, located on a 105-acre site in Downers Grove, is home to nearly 3,000 students and the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine; the College of Pharmacy, Downers Grove; the College of Health Sciences-Illinois; the College of Dental Medicine-Illinois; the Chicago College of Optometry; and the College of Graduate Studies-Illinois. The Arizona campus, located on a 156-acre site in Glendale, is home to over 3,900 students and the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine; the College of Pharmacy, Glendale; the College of Health Sciences-Arizona; the College of Dental Medicine-Arizona; the Arizona College of Optometry; the College of Veterinary Medicine; the College of Graduate Studies-Arizona; and the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine. The University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For more information, visit https://www.midwestern.edu or call 623/572-3215.
