Dental team sees over 250 on eighth trip to Albania
A dental team from Smile for Albania, a student society from University of Malta, saw over 250 youngsters during its recent trip to Albania, its eighth since it started providing humanitarian dental care for students at Preca College and children from...
A dental team from Smile for Albania, a student society from University of Malta, saw over 250 youngsters during its recent trip to Albania, its eighth since it started providing humanitarian dental care for students at Preca College and children from state schools in Korce, in 1994.
The team was made up of staff and students from the university's department of dental surgery under the direction of Dr Charles Galea, president of Smile for Albania, and Prof. J. M. Portelli, the dean.
The student intake at Preca College has increased this scholastic year after the completion of an extension to the college. Preca is run by Maltese teachers from the MUSEUM seconded by the Department of Education.
Patients ranged in age between five and 19 and included an unusual number of new patients. This was as a result of the increased intake at Preca and an increase in the number of patients making the journey from villages around Korce, some from quite far afield. The recent improvement in roads and transport has made this possible.
An epidemiological survey on oral disease conducted in 1994 was followed up with a similar more limited survey this year, for purposes of establishing trends. The level of oral disease in children is still way above the European average and is in part due to the high consumption of sugar.
A survey on dietary habits was also made during their stay and a detailed oral hygiene questionnaire will be completed shortly as part of the social sciences programme at Preca.
Albania is ranked 92 in the UN Human Development Index, a barometer of the quality of life with the economy being only one of the factors. This is far below all other European countries; Malta, by comparison, is ranked 30.
'Smile for Albania' meets expenses for the purchase of dental equipment from donations and an annual jumble sale organised with the full participation of dental students in all the five years of the course.
Preca College is also dependent on donations as the college receives no state financial aid.