Mae Wong Hospital in Thailand’s central Nakhon Sawan province increases people’s access to dental implants, improving their quality of life without them having to pay for the service out of pockets. 

The state-run Mae Wong Hospital, a community hospital with 30 beds, has performed over 200 dental implant surgeries around 120 patients in the past two years — more than the total number of hospital operations in the entire province.


The hospital director Dr Prawit Saikunakorn said that his staff is dedicated to enhancing the people’s quality of life , which is the main reason for the hospital's ability to provide dental implant services.

They started providing free  dental implant surgeries to local people in 2015 as part of the government health program to commemorate King Rama IX or King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The program continues under the reign of his son, King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun.

Under the program, the Thai government funds the materials and equipment needed for creating artificial teeth and operating dental implant surgeries — through the Universal Cover Scheme (UCS) that ensures healthcare access, including dental services, to 47 million Thais.  

Throughout the years of joining the program, Mae Wong Hospital staff has built up knowledge and expertise,increasing their capacity to operate surgeries for patients. 

Dr Prawit said that the patients have spread the word about the quality of dental services at the hospital, attracting more patients to the dental department. Some government agencies have recognized the value of this work and offered support in many ways.

For example, the National Science and Technology Development Agency, provided the hospital with a three-dimensional dental scan that helps dentists locate the best areas for teeth placement and ensures the success of the treatment.


“Many patients avoid dental implants because they falsely believe that it is inconvenient and the surgery process is complicated. It's not true anymore with the expertise and available equipment today,” said Dr Prawit.  
 
Highly beneficial to the patients

In November, the Thai government launched a health program to increase people’s access to dental implants to commemorate of the sixth-cycle birthday anniversary of King Rama X or King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, who will reach the age of 72 in 2024.


Maw Wong Hospital has operated dental implants for 50 people, with 100 operations in total since the program's initiation.

The program continues Thailand’s mission to enhance people’s oral health since the era of King Rama IX, who emphasized the importance of having healthy teeth and urged all relevant organizations to treat people with oral problems.

Under the program, National Health Securirty Office NHSO — which oversees the UCS — ensures the availability of government funds to support hospitals providing dental implants and procures the necessary items and equipment for operating surgeries.

Patients are not required to pay any bills to get the service.

“This program is highly beneficial for Thai people because it eliminates the financial burden of the patients, many of whom are low-income workers and unable to afford dental implants due to their high cost,” said Dr Prawit.

“In Mae Wong district, our patients are mainly farmers with meager incomes. They will not request dental services if they must pay the fees. As they are not charged due to the UCS, they can save money for other necessary causes.

Priority is given to the patients with full-moth missing teeth, as they struggle the most with daily life.



Dr Preeda Pratumma, Head of Mae Woing Hospital’s Dental Department, assured that the hospital’s dental implant service is safe and has positive long-term results.

Most of his patients’ lives are improved as they can eat normally after having select replacements, improving their nutrition intake. Many have better engaged in social life as they are confident to speak and smile with artificial teeth in their mouths.
 
Dental care as a basic right

“Access to oral care is the basic right that any individual deserves to have,” said Dr Thanawat Mahatchariyapong, a dentist at Mae Wong Hospital.

“As a dentist, I’m proud of my role that helps people improve their lives and live happier.”The benefit of the program is confirmed by patients receiving dental implants.

A senior citizen Samruay Thammunee, also the UCS beneficiary, suffered from missing teeth due to her age. She couldn’t chew food and enjoy her meal — resulting in deteriorated health due to low nutrient intake.


She visited a dentist at Mae Wong Hospital and went through a dental implant surgery without paying a single cent.

“Many people are not aware that they can get the surgery without paying the fees.

They avoid seeking treatment because they are afraid of the expensive costs,” said Samruay, who can now eat well.

Another patient Boonyuen Yodtonglang said that she was afraid of the surgery because she thought it would painful and time-consume. But she decided to have the surgery after being convinced by the doctor.


She said she feels thankful to the doctor at Mae Wong Hospital that encouraged her to get the treatment. Now she lives happily with full-mouth artificial teeth.
  
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