Victorian Dental and Anthos setup PNG clinic

Following its successful tender to refit the Gabriel Gris School of Dentistry in Papua New Guinea, Victorian Dental Services' Phil Pagliuso spent a week in our northern neighbour installing the 15 new Anthos A3 dental units, chairs, lights and four Anthos intraoral x-ray units.

"We won the tender based on the fact that Anthos equipment is stylish, solidly-built using high quality materials, delivers superior infection control and was the best value for money," Mr Pagliuso said.

"I certainly felt comfortable that the units would live up to their reputation for reliability in the challenging environment, so we set about planning for installation and subsequent user training that would be necessary once the units were in operation."

According to Mr Pagliuso, the project began four months ago in collaboration with Stan Walker of the local Brian Bell Company.

"We communicated by phone and also used e-mail a lot to receive digital photos so we could better visualise what was required and plan the best possible configuration.

"The job required all new plumbing and electrical points with channels cut in the concrete floor. We utilised the existing cabinetry and with minimal working area, we had to find the correct angles for the units and chairs to be positioned in to optimise the space. There was no room for error. It had to be precise and fortunately with our CAD drawing system, we were able to accurately plan the sizeable project.

"Stan, the project manager, ensured that all building, plumbing and electrical work was organised with local trade personnel with great success. "With the help of the Brian Bell technicians and Richard Knezevic from RK Dental, who came up from Sydney, it took 5-days to install and conect all the units and test their operation. Time was then set out for training the School's professor and clinical staff in the operation of the equipment and the local technicians in its general maintenance.

"The upgrading of the School and treatment centre hopefully will go a long way in improving the oral health of the local PNG people and we at Victorian Dental Services are very proud of being part of such a project."