Development and Fabrication of a Magnet-Retained Auricular Epithesis within an Interdisciplinary Project for a Patient with Grade III Microtia in Estonian Context, 2026

segatehnika

The aim of my work is to draw public attention to the lack of insurance coverage within Estonia’s national health insurance system (Tervisekassa) for facial prosthetic rehabilitation services. The idea for this project emerged from exploring how contemporary artistic practices and medical technologies can be combined to restore both appearance and quality of life for people facing severe physical and emotional challenges. These include patients born with congenital anomalies, individuals affected by genetic disorders, people who have suffered facial trauma, and those who have lost parts of their face as a result of cancer and subsequent medical treatment. Today, many of these patients are forced to seek treatment abroad at their own expense, while others remain without access to appropriate rehabilitation altogether. As a result, they often face social isolation, psychological distress, and the difficult reality of having to conceal aspects of their identity and appearance from society. Through this project, I seek to demonstrate that modern technology and an interdisciplinary approach can do more than reconstruct missing facial features – they can help restore dignity, self-confidence, and the ability to participate fully in social life. For me, this work is not only an artistic statement but also a socially engaged initiative aimed at raising awareness about the needs of people with facial differences and encouraging public institutions to develop accessible support systems for those affected and to seek philantropists who are interested in supporting meaningful cultural and social projects.