Oral and dental health are often neglected in Thailand, despite
their crucial role in overall health and well-being. Many mistakenly believe dental issues only require
urgent care when symptoms become severe. This leads to a lack of emphasis on preventive care.
Furthermore, access to dental services remains a challenge for some Thais due to social disparities. The
disabled community, who may require specialized care, can face difficulties in obtaining regular and
ongoing dental treatment.
Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited (GULF) and the Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn
University (Dent Chula), therefore, continue to build on the success of “GULF Sparks Smiles” initiative,
which enters its fourth year with an unwavering commitment to inclusivity. The initiative’s first mobile
unit of the year was at the Bangkok School for the Blind, marking the second time the initiative has
rendered its free service specifically to the visually impaired community. This targeted approach
addresses the challenges faced by those who need specialized dental care, reflecting the campaign’s core
values of promoting diversity, equity, inclusion for the betterment of societal well-being.
Mr. Tanon Tantisunthorn, Chief Infrastructure & Logistics Business Officer, GULF, stated “GULF
Sparks
Smiles campaign emerged in response to the unique challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recognizing the increased difficulty faced by the under-resourced communities in remote areas in
accessing proper dental care, due to both physical and financial constraints, GULF forged
partnership with Dent Chula who already operates a mobile dental program. This collaboration
brought
“GULF Sparks Smiles” campaign to life, offering free, high-quality dental treatment to
underserved
communities. This year is the second time we visit the Bangkok School for the Blind, which has
been
well received. GULF plans to deploy a total of four mobile dental units over the course of the
year.
Please stay tuned for further updates on GULF SPARK Facebook page.”
Assoc. Prof. Waleerat Sukarawan, Lecturer from Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of
Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, shared “Maintaining good oral health can be
particularly challenging for individuals with visual impairments. Simple tasks, such as properly holding
a toothbrush or cleaning hard-to-reach areas can be difficult. Additionally, access to dentists with
specialized training in treating this community is often limited. The GULF Sparks Smiles campaign,
therefore, offers a crucial opportunity for an organization of our capabilities to address these
specific needs. By providing dental care from dentists experienced in working with the visually
impaired, the program ensures both comfort and effectiveness. Furthermore, oral health is an ongoing
process where regular checkups and proper hygiene practices are essential for long-term well-being. The
campaign provides a vital starting point for fostering positive attitudes towards overall physical and
oral health within an underprivileged demographics such as the visually impaired community, which might
not otherwise receive the necessary encouragement.”
“GULF Sparks Smiles” offers comprehensive range of dental care such as fillings, tooth extractions,
scaling, fluoride coating, and x-rays, as well as more complex procedures like wisdom tooth removal.
This year, the program introduces an exciting innovation, AI robots. These robots assist with
registration, provide information on the treatment process, offer guidance on proper brushing
techniques, and basic dental care. The robots can also entertain patients by dancing and singing,
helping to create a more relaxed atmosphere for those awaiting treatment.
This year, there will be 3 additional locations for the mobile dental unit.
Please visit GULF Spark
Facebook fan page at
GULFSPARK.TH
for more updates and information.
For the latest updates and information, please visit
GULF Facebook fanpage:
facebook.com/GulfEnergyDevelopmentand
facebook.com/GulfSPARK.TH
