Implant Project for Elders
At 106, Madam Fung Wai-chu is a beneficiary of this Project at the HKU Faculty of Dentistry. She had long relied on conventional full dentures, which caused soreness and made chewing hard foods nearly impossible. The dentures were so unstable that even a hearty laugh could dislodge them, severely limiting her social life.
After successful treatment with implant-supported dentures, Madam Fung experienced a full restoration of masticatory function. Now entirely pain-free, she has regained the ability to eat a variety of foods—including crunchy nuts—and can laugh freely.
"I am immensely grateful to the Azalea (1972) Endowment Fund. Without the generous donation from Mr. Lawrence Fung Siu-por and Mrs. Alexandra Fung Lee Suk-wai, this life-changing treatment would have been far out of reach. It has allowed me to enjoy food and life again. After all, if you can't eat well, how can you live a long life?” Madam Fung shared with a smile.
Initiated in 2006 and launched in 2007, the Implant Project for Elders was the first community project supported by HKU’s Azalea (1972) Endowment Fund. The project addresses a critical gap in eldercare by providing dental implants to edentulous seniors facing financial hardship, thereby improving their masticatory function and overall well-being.
Spanning two decades of steadfast support from the fund, the project has provided full dentures to more than 100 seniors. Of those, nearly 80 have received implant-supported prostheses with lifelong maintenance, enabling them to regain masticatory function and confidence in their smiles.
