On August 20, 2026, Mr. Danuphorn Punnakanta, Assistant Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), along with Dr. Wiparat De-ong, Executive Director of the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), visited the “Smart Mobile Dental Clinic” service. This research-driven innovation aims to increase access to dental services for the elderly by applying research knowledge, technology, and innovation to elevate public healthcare under the “Healthy Aging Wellness” concept. The initiative is operated by King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) and Smart Med Group 2019 Co., Ltd., and was showcased at the “14th Regional Research Expo,” held under the theme “Research Synergy: The Power of Research and Isan Wisdom, Connecting Thailand’s Future with Research and Innovation” at Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University (NRRU), Nakhon Ratchasima Province.
In developing the “Smart Mobile Dental Clinic” service system, the NRCT has integrated MHESI’s holistic healthcare goals regarding Wellness to support and drive research and innovation toward concrete, practical use in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. A key focus is upgrading the healthcare system for the elderly, a demographic requiring continuous access to health and dental services. Consequently, the Smart Mobile Dental Clinic serves as a vital innovation that brings services directly to local residents, increasing convenience, reducing travel limitations, and promoting comprehensive oral healthcare.
For this innovation, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi and Smart Med Group 2019 Co., Ltd. designed and developed a dental unit tailored specifically for the elderly. They integrated a sterilization system and a waste segregation system into the mobile vehicle while ensuring that all operational standards comply with Thailand’s public health regulations.
This initiative is part of driving the “Healthy Aging Wellness” concept, which seeks to promote the use of research, technology, and innovation in holistic elderly care. It creates opportunities for the public to access quality healthcare services and elevates the quality of life for seniors, enabling them to live healthily and well. This effort fully aligns with the ultimate goal of utilizing research for the sustainable development of society and the nation.
