Sandals Foundation and Great Shape! doing great work out west
Mikala Johnson / Our Today
The Sandals Foundation, in partnership with the United States-based non- profit, Great Shape! Inc., through its 1,000 Smiles dental clinic will be providing residents in Hanover and Westmoreland communities with free dental care.
The Great Shape! team comprises over 60 local and international volunteers including dental care professionals, experienced dentists, dental hygienists, and final-year dental students from the University of Technology (UTech).
The team will provide cleaning, filling and extractions services to children and adults at the Lucea Parish Church Hall and at the Greenland United Church. Both locations will be in operation from Monday, September 12 to Friday, September 16.
“The impact of this year’s project in the Sav La Mar area was especially impactful because dental services, in general, have been largely unavailable during the last 2 years of the pandemic. Our return not only gives much-needed dental care, but it also gives the community hope” says Joseph Wright, Founding Executive Director of Great Shape! Inc.
The clinics, which are being implemented on an appointment-only basis due to COVID-19 safety regulations, are completely prepared with an anticipated 650 persons to receive help each week.
“We are so happy to advise that all sessions for our next series of clinics are fully booked. Our team looks forward to serving families and educating youngsters on how they can practice proper oral hygiene for longer and healthier lives,” says Wright.
From now through to November, the Great Shape! team will provide cleanings, fillings, extractions, and oral health education to adults and children in Negril and Ocho Rios areas, using some of the best military-grade mobile equipment.
An additional Great Shape! group will host its equally successful iCARE clinics across the island providing another much-needed service to communities. This will begin later this month into November.
The volunteer missions are made possible with Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts providing accommodations and the charitable arm, the Sandals Foundation, spearheading logistics and offsetting the costs for transportation, as well as food and beverage for the clinics.
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