The Sandals Foundation has joined with its longstanding health partner, Great Shape Inc. for a two-week long island-wide dental project in Saint Lucia. The project will provide free access to dental care and education for Saint Lucian families from July 27 to August 10.
Over 50 volunteers will be part of the team providing Saint Lucians with fillings, cleanings, extractions, sealants and other services. Oral health education will also be provided in temporary MASH-style dental clinics at the Marchand Combined School and the Canaries Primary School.
Through their very generous involvement, the Sandals Foundation and Sandals Resorts International provide all accommodations, meals, logistical support and in-country transportation at no charge.
For the past thirteen years, the Great Shape 1000 Smiles Dental Project has partnered with Sandals Foundation and the Jamaican Ministry of Health to deliver free dental services to thousands of Jamaicans each year.
Sandals Foundation is a key partner in making these programs possible.
Director of Programs for the Sandals Foundation, Mrs. Heidi Clarke said the Foundation was happy to bring the program to the people of Saint Lucia and underlined the importance of proper dental care.
“This program has grown tremendously over the years and the team at Great Shape have proven themselves time and time again. Their selflessness only serves to further empower us and our vision through the Sandals Foundation to uplift, engage and empower those within our reach,” Clarke said.
The dental fair is expected to be one of the largest in Saint Lucia’s history.
Joseph Wright, CEO of Great Shape Inc, said the support of the Sandals Foundation was a critical component to the success of the project.
He said, “The partnership between us and the Sandals Foundation is definitely a step in the right direction in bringing medical service delivery, which is usually prohibitive, to those who need it most.”
