History and activities

Historical donation: the will of the Lithuanian dentists from Canada

Lithuanian Canadian dentists and philanthropists, Dr. Angelė and Dr. Sigitas Kazlauskas, bequeathed CAD 7 million (about EUR 4.7 million) to the philanthropic Vilnius University (VU) Endowment Fund. In 2024, 90% of the donation (approximately EUR 4.2 million) was used to set up the Angelė and Sigitas Kazlauskas Endowment Sub-Fund. The return on investment generated by the endowment will ensure continued funding for the development of the field of pediatric dentistry at VU, as well as for the improvement of studies and research in odontology.

Establishment of the Angelė and Sigitas Kazlauskas Pediatric Dentistry Center

The return on investment generated by the endowment will allow VU to continue funding the development of pediatric dentistry at VU. The Angelė and Sigitas Kazlauskas Pediatric Dentistry Center at the Institute of Dentistry of VU MF will make a significant contribution to the provision of gratuitous dental care and treatment services for children, prioritising children from socially vulnerable families or children in foster care.

The Center aims to further develop studies and research in the field of pediatric dentistry, to educate society about oral healthcare for children, and to ensure the advancement of pediatric dentistry in the academic environment and practice through the application of modern technology and cutting-edge research. The return on investment generated by the endowment will be used to purchase equipment and supplies for studies in the field of pediatric dentistry and for dental treatment.

About philanthropists Angelė and Sigitas Kazlauskas

Dr. Angelė Matildė Kazlauskas (1935–2020) and Dr. Sigitas Pranas Kazlauskas (1935–2005) are the representatives of the Lithuanian diaspora, both originally from Biržai region in Lithuania. During WWII, their families were forced to flee the country and head to the West. Angelė and Sigitas met during their studies in Canada, where they both studied to become odontologists. Subsequently, they opened their own private dental practice, working successfully for several decades, often treating patients gratuitously, and supporting dental treatment of orphans and underprivileged people in Lithuania.

Dr. Angelė Matildė Kazlauskas (née Kuolaitė) was born in 1935 in the village of Peikštėnai, Biržai district, into a family of Lithuanian intellectuals. Angelė was nine years old when her family was forced to flee the country and Soviet occupation. Together with several other refugee families, they took a perilous journey in a Latvian fishing boat that took them across the stormy Baltic Sea to the island of Gotland in Sweden.

In 1949, Angelė, together with her mother and sister, immigrated to Canada. It was not an easy start for Angelė's parents who had to sacrifice a lot in order their daughters could pursue higher education. Their efforts paid off—in 1959 Angelė graduated with an honour degree in dentistry from the University of Toronto. She was one of only three women (out of ~150 students) in her year of studies. Angelė acquired the qualification of a dental surgeon.

In the same year, Angelė married her former Lithuanian fellow student, originally from Biržai, Dr. Sigitas Pranas Kazlauskas, who was an odontologist. They opened their private dental practice in Oakville, Canada and over their 65-year career provided dental services to thousands of patients, most of whom were of Lithuanian origin.

Angelė and Sigitas Kazlauskas often provided services free of charge. They treated Lithuanians, accommodated them at their home, and sent medicines, medical instruments and other supplies to Lithuania. They also established a charitable foundation in Canada, which supported the provision of dental services to orphans and vulnerable people in Lithuania.

Staff and students

The staff at The Angelė and Sigitas Kazlauskas Pediatric Dentistry Center are experienced pediatric odontology specialists and professionals who supervise the procedures performed by the 4-5 course students of the Institute of Dentistry at Vilnius University Faculty of Medicine.

Students under supervision of professionals provide treatment procedures of tooth decay (caries), root canals, periodontal diseases, perform oral hygiene, dental prosthesis, tooth extraction, etc.

Registration of children

Registration of children

The Pediatric Dentistry Center makes a significant contribution to the financing of free dental care and treatment for children, with priority given to children living in disadvantaged families or institutions. The Center employs experienced children odontologists who, together with Odontology course students of the VU Faculty of Medicine, are involved in the provision of dental treatment to children during their clinical practice.

You can register your children for free dental care and treatment in the most convenient way that suits you:

• by phone: +370 5 272 8243
• by email: askcentras@mf.vu.lt
• by filling in the registration form.

The Center's staff will contact you to arrange a suitable date and time for your visit.