KLANG: An average of 300 dentures can be expected to be produced monthly through a pilot project on denture production using 3D technology, says Khairy Jamaluddin.
The Health Minister said this is achievable with 3D technology as the current conventional method now can only produce an average of 90 dentures per month.
He added that the frequency of visits for patients to install their dentures can also be reduced to two visits compared with five visits by using conventional methods.
Currently, two government clinics - the Kuala Lumpur dental clinic and the Bandar Botanik dental clinic - are in the proof of concept process for the project.
"In 2020, 44% of the elderly who came to the Health Ministry's facilities obtained dentures in about three months.
"A total of 531 of our dental laboratories still produce dentures conventionally.
"But with 3D technology, dentures can be done in just three hours from the scanning phase to the printing and cleaning phase," Khairy told the media after observing the pilot project at the Bandar Botanik dental clinic here.
He added that the pilot project will not only test the number of dentures produced but also the suitability and satisfaction of patients.
"We want patients to be comfortable and ensure that the quality is on par with conventional dentures.
"If our patients can ensure they are comfortable and the health officer assures the quality is on par or better than conventional dentures, then we can consider to widen the project," he said.
For the pilot project, the ministry has signed a memorandum of understanding with two companies to equip the two dental clinics with 3D technology equipment and software as well as trainers.
The project started on Aug 15 and will end on Nov 15.
