MedAsian wins at Healthcare Asia Pharma Awards 2026 for elderly oral health

The Smile Ambassadors programme restores dignity to China’s seniors through community dental care.

MedAsian won Health and Wellness Initiative of the Year - China in the Healthcare Asia Pharma Awards 2026. Their initiative targets poor oral health that affects 86% of China’s seniors. MedAsian launched Smile Ambassadors in early 2024. The company formed a partnership with Straumann Group and the Shanghai Elderly Foundation. Straumann Group provided a CNY15m fund and 112 clinicians. The foundation sent 623 volunteers to 327 neighbourhoods.

The programme started public operations on 10 April 2024. Teams completed 5,200 screenings by 20 September. They identified 15 seniors for full dental restoration. The effort grew to 183 sites during Respect for the Aged Month. The 12,847th screening took place on 5 December. By year-end, 47 individuals received new smiles.

One participant, 78-year-old Mr Chen, bit into an apple for the first time in a decade. His nutrition improved by 70%. Social activity rose by 150%. He hosted his family’s Lunar New Year feast with confidence.

MedAsian shaped the programme through 47 high-level consultations. The company aligned it with the Healthy Shanghai policy by March. The Shanghai Elderly Foundation built community trust. Straumann Group brought dental expertise into public care.

The model gained official backing. On 1 March 2025, the Shanghai Health Commission issued guidance based on its framework. Five major cities started talks to copy it. The plan aims to reach 18 million more people.

MedAsian trained 314 community nurses in 2024. These nurses serve as permanent health links. Second-phase funding arrived in Q1 2025.

The Healthcare Asia Pharma Awards shines a spotlight on the outstanding companies redefining pharmaceutical excellence in Asia. It lauds those who redefine the pharmaceutical landscape through innovative, unique initiatives that have significantly enhanced their businesses.

The Healthcare Asia Pharma Awards is presented by Healthcare Asia Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2027 awards programme and be recognised for your organisation's innovative and unique initiatives that enhanced your business and remarkable contributions to the pharmaceutical industry, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez-Difuntorum at [email protected].