In support of Thailand’s dental public health efforts and in conjunction with National Dental Public Health Day, Gulf Development Public Company Limited (GULF) continued its support for dental public health in Thailand by presenting one minibus and one passenger van, with a combined value of THB 4.5 million, to the Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University. Representing GULF at the handover was Mr. Sitamon Ratanavadi, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, while Prof. Pornchai Jansisyanont, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, received the vehicles on behalf of the Faculty. The vehicles will support the Faculty’s academic activities, outreach dental services, and broader public service initiatives.
The handover coincided with the fourth and final ‘GULF Sparks Smiles’ dental clinic of 2026, marking the conclusion of the initiative’s sixth year. Organized jointly by GULF and the Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, the final clinic was also the largest of the year, with capacity to provide dental care to 1,086 people. However, the project received an overwhelming response from the public, attracting a total of 1,350 participants, exceeding its initial target.
Mr. Sitamon Ratanavadi, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Gulf Development Public Company Limited (GULF), said, “I believe that good oral health is a small but important foundation for a better quality of life. It allows us to enjoy the food we love, stay healthy, and smile with confidence, all of which contribute to a happier and more fulfilling life and enable us to make a positive difference for ourselves, our families, and society. This belief led GULF to partner with the Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, to continue ‘GULF Sparks Smiles’ with the aim of raising awareness of oral health and making dental care more accessible to people across Thailand, both by bringing services closer to communities and helping ease the financial burden of treatment.”
“In 2026, the sixth year of the initiative, GULF and the Faculty organized four dental clinics across four locations, providing oral healthcare to 2,800 people through 3,800 treatments. Over the past six years, the initiative has provided care to a total of 9,300 people through 13,800 treatments.”
“We sincerely thank the Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, for being a longstanding partner of ‘GULF Sparks Smiles.’ Recognizing the important work of dental professionals, GULF is also pleased to provide the Faculty with a minibus and a passenger van on the occasion of this year’s National Dental Public Health Day. We see these two vehicles as more than a means of transportation. They will help support the education of future generations of dentists, expand the Faculty’s ability to provide dental outreach services, and facilitate other public service activities that benefit society.”
Prof. Pornchai Jansisyanont, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, said, “We would like to thank GULF for providing the two vehicles, which will enhance the Faculty’s ability to support both its academic activities and public service missions. The vehicles will play an important role in facilitating teaching and research activities, as well as community outreach programs, including the transportation of dentists and support staff to mobile dental clinics. The Faculty organizes nearly 20 outreach missions each year and four clinics annually in collaboration with GULF. Over the long term, this will also help create greater opportunities for people to access dental care.”
“The Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, and GULF have built a strong and longstanding collaboration, particularly through the ‘GULF Sparks Smiles’ initiative, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic and has now continued for six years. At the heart of the initiative is our shared commitment to improving access to proper dental care and treatment, while also promoting oral health education so that people have the knowledge to take better care of their teeth in their daily lives. Together, these efforts can make a meaningful and lasting difference to people’s quality of life, reflecting the shared commitment of both organizations.”
Ms. Wanida Saewue, 22, a beneficiary of the ‘GULF Sparks Smiles’ initiative, shared with a bright smile: “I learned about the program through social media and decided to receive dental treatment. After my scaling procedure, the dentist took the time to provide detailed advice on proper oral care and paid close attention to areas that I had not been cleaning thoroughly, particularly my upper teeth, to help prevent cavities in the future. I intend to follow the dentist’s recommendations in my daily routine because good oral health contributes greatly to self-confidence. A smile is important because it brightens our lives and encourages people to connect and engage with one another. I would like to say that this is truly a wonderful program, and I plan to return every year. My sincere thanks go to the dentists from the Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, and to everyone at GULF for making this meaningful initiative possible.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Akkarachai Bualuang, a student at Bangpakok Wittayakom School in Bangkok who participated as a youth volunteer, said, “Joining the ‘GULF Asa Junior’ volunteer program has given me the opportunity to learn and gain many valuable experiences. The highlight was being able to assist and observe the dentists closely, which was both inspiring and rewarding. Having the chance to take part in real-world activities not only broadened my perspective but also strengthened my aspiration to become a dentist in the future.”
Launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ‘GULF Sparks Smiles’ dental initiative was established through a shared commitment between GULF and the Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, to improve the quality of life of Thai people, particularly low-income individuals and those living in underserved communities. Now in its sixth year, the project continues to provide convenient, free-of-charge access to essential dental care services delivered by qualified dentists, while also promoting greater awareness of the importance of daily oral healthcare. By encouraging preventive dental care and healthy habits, the project aims to help people build brighter smiles and achieve better overall well-being.
For more information and updates on the “GULF Sparks Smiles” initiative, follow Gulf SPARK on Facebook, GULF SPARK on TikTok, and @gulfspark.th on Instagram.
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