Following on the heels of a hugely successful 1000 Smiles dental mission to Saint Lucia, Sandals Foundation and US-based charity organization Great Shape! Inc. are expanding their commitment to bringing necessary health services to communities across the Caribbean. After hosting successful eye care and dental clinics in Jamaica, Saint. Lucia and Turks and Caicos, their reach has extended to the ‘Spice Island’.

Executive Director of Great Shape! Inc., Joseph Wright, said he knew Grenada had to be their next stop in the Caribbean after a fact finding trip to the island last October. “It was very clear that Grenada not only needed our services, but would roll out the welcome sign for us to come.  And why not, Grenada is one of most beautiful countries in the world and the people are amazingly friendly!  We are so happy to be here and to serve those in need of dental care.”

Great Shape! Inc. 1000 Smiles Project recruits volunteer dental professionals from USA, Canada and the Caribbean to provide free cleaning, filling, extractions, dental sealants and even root canal service. Sandals Foundation and Sandals Resorts provide accommodation, local transportation and logistical support with the Ministry of Health Grenada and the local dental counsel providing additional support for the delivery of the clinic.

Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, Heidi Clarke, said the expansion of the dental clinics to Grenada is a representation of the Sandals Foundation promise to supporting healthy communities across the region.

“Access to basic health care services is a fundamental need of all people and we are delighted to be able to facilitate the delivery of dental care to the people of Grenada. We are extremely grateful to the volunteers who give of their time and expertise improving not just the dental health of thousands of Caribbean Nationals, but also improving their overall health. At the end of these clinics we hope to see the same positive outcomes in Grenada that we have seen in the other islands where this program has been implemented, better oral hygiene, improved local clinics for sustainability and beautiful smiles. Clarke said. The Sandals Foundation, has, to date, impacted over 209,000 people across the region through health initiatives.

The debut dental clinic is ongoing at the Anglican Church Pastoral Centre in the town of Gouyave, St. John. “Unfortunately St. John is the only parish which does not have a fixed public dental clinic, and so selecting Gouyave as the first location was a no brainer. We hope that through our new partnership we can assist the Ministry of Health to provide this service even after Great Shape Inc. leaves the island,” commented a hopeful Deleon Forrester, Public Relations Manager at Sandals Grenada.

Fifty patients were treated on the first day of the Gouyave clinic with another 60 patients benefitting from the program on day two. “As the days go by we are able to be more efficient and the patients also have a better idea of the process, so we can see more patients each day,” Wright said.

He added, “Great Shape! Inc. stresses restorative care. For us, extractions are a last resort. It is important for patients to be educated on oral hygiene, so our dentists and support staff take a few minutes before and after care to discuss with each patient their personal oral hygiene.”

“I felt no pain!” declared a patient as she exited the clinic after a filling and extraction of a tooth. Sandals Foundation volunteer, Shardee Charles, said she believes the community has fully embraced the experience. “So far we have had a great turn out and people are leaving relieved and more aware of their oral health.”

Starting next Monday (August 27), the mission will run two clinics simultaneously. In addition to being in Gouyave, there will be another at the Westerhall Secondary School, in the parish of St. David from August 27th to 31st. Persons seeking treatments are encouraged to register at the clinic site on Monday.