Kit from Perth dental firm will help bring smiles to Malawi

Dental kit from Perth worth tens of thousands of pounds has been donated to a charity supporting dentists in Malawi.

The gift to one of the poorest countries on the planet brought a huge smile to the face of a Scots charity volunteer.

Dentist Nigel Milne and his wife Vicky set-up “Smilawi” five years ago after being shocked by conditions they encountered.

They were bowled over when Fair City dentist Constantinos “Dino” Loizides offered equipment which was not making the move to his new Dental Care Perth practice in South Methven Street.

Casting an eye over a range of specialist chairs, X-ray machines and suction motors, Dunoon-based Nigel said: “It is a wonderful gesture and will make a huge difference to the quality of dental care in northern Malawi.

“This gesture by Dino is hugely appreciated. We were so excited when we were offered his old gear for Smileawi. The equipment he is giving us is in wonderful condition.”

Mr Loizides feared the unwanted kit would have to be thrown out after his new city centre premises were kitted out with state of the art apparatus.

He explained: “We have invested heavily in the South Methven Street centre.

“But I hate waste and it would have been a sin to send the old equipment to landfill when it was all perfectly serviceable and in use until just a couple of weeks ago.

“So I was delighted when Nigel spotted our plea for someone to step in and give it all a new lease of life. There are many more years of life left in the items being shipped over to Malawi.”

Nigel and Vicky regularly visit the African country.