The police are investigating the Mater Dei Dentistry Department’s procurement of dental equipment in a bid to establish whether there was corruption in the process.
MaltaToday is informed that dentistry department officials and a company importing medical equipment are under investigation for corruption.
The department had cost €2.4 million to equip, but most of the equipment is doomed to remain unused because of the sheer excessive quantities and extravagance.
In fact, the department bought twice the amount of dental chairs than there are dentists employed there. While there are 23 dentists and six dental hygienists working at the department, there are 42 dental chairs costing up to €18,000 each.
Other equipment is also unutilised, as it is related to cosmetic services that are not offered by the national health service. Elsewhere, only one of three purchased digital X-ray machines is currently in use. Sources said the department is also equipped with one of the most sophisticated X-ray printers at Mater Dei, but this has never been used so far.
Last year, a total of 21,687 clients used the dental services, and 262 dental patients were admitted to hospital wards.