A major collaborative dental health initiative has provided essential care to hundreds of Jamaicans during its inaugural program. ‘A Thousand Smiles’ project, a partnership between the Sandals Foundation, non-profit organization Great Shape Inc., and the Jamaican Ministry of Health, has successfully treated over 930 patients in its first six days of operation.
The comprehensive dental clinic, hosted at Kingston’s Multi-Purpose Cultural and Exhibition Center, is currently in its second and final week of service. Medical teams have been working extensively to address critical oral health needs across the community.
During the initial operational period, dental professionals performed 758 procedures ranging from routine cleanings and fillings to more complex root canal treatments and extractions. Patient turnout reached its peak on Wednesday of the first week with 184 individuals receiving care, while Monday, January 26th, marked the second-highest attendance day with 176 patients served.
The initiative represents one of the largest coordinated dental outreach efforts recently undertaken in Jamaica, bringing together governmental health authorities and philanthropic organizations to address accessibility challenges in dental healthcare. The project’s title, ‘A Thousand Smiles,’ reflects its ambitious goal of providing transformative dental treatment to those in need.