Great Shape Inc. welcomes 7 dentists and their staff to a free dental clinic in the neighborhood of Entrepot. This is the second week of clinic operations, already serving 413 patients with last week’s team of volunteers.
Both restorative and surgical procedures are offered for all ages including fillings, and extractions. The clinic opens at 9:00 a.m. with appointments every hour.
Local leadership, including staff with the Sandals Foundation, is working with Great’s at Shape Inc’s volunteers to promote the clinic to the people of Saint Lucia. Appointments and advertisements were made through social media platforms, public outreach, and community bulletins.
Public interest in the free dental clinic was overwhelming, with more than 1000 appointment requests pouring in within days of the clinic’s first announcement.
The need is apparent as all appointment slots are booked. Scheduling staff reports an additional 500 people are on a waiting list, hoping to get a call back because of an appointment cancelation.
In addition to the community clinic in Entrepot, 1000 Smiles is also operating a dental clinic at the Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort, serving Sandals employees and their families.
“This is our sixth time bringing volunteer dentists to Saint Lucia and we are absolutely thrilled to be back after a 2 year break due to the ongoing pandemic,” said Joseph Wright, AKA Papa Joe, Founding Executive Director of Great Shape Inc.
“This extraordinary partnership for “all that’s good” between Sandals Foundation, Great Shape Inc, and the Ministry of Health has made a massive impact in the lives of every-day people – saving smiles and taking people out of pain.”
The Ministry of Health and Wellness continues to play a pivotal role in the execution of this project, and remains a valuable partner in the process.
For more information about this non-profit organization serving communities in dental health, education, and community service projects visit www.greatshapeinc.org
