The dental treatment needs of the youth across various primary schools around the island are to be met following the handover of a mobile dental clinic to the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs from the Rotary Club of Saint Lucia.

This momentous occasion marked the provision of a fully equipped, air conditioned mobile dental unit which will offer high-quality dental services of early dental screenings, preventive treatment and oral health education to children.

President of the Rotary Club of Saint Lucia Roger Hare says this moment of handing over the mobile dental clinic reaffirms the unwavering commitment of his organization to improving access to essential health services for all, especially the most underserved. “Projects like this require a lot of collaboration; partners in Saint Lucia and globally. This initiative supported by the Rotary Foundation or district and other clubs within various districts and that’s how we got here today. It is a proud moment for us and we know this will definitely help the communities of Saint Lucia.”

Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Ernest Norbal applauded the initiative and says it is the first of this kind in Saint Lucia which signifies strides being made in expanding dental health services. “It’s introduction will enable the Dental Services Unit to extend regular and school-based dental care across the island, ensuring that dental care is brought directly to our communities. The Ministry of Health deeply values the longstanding partnership with the Rotary International and its affiliates. Your unwavering support to the ministry and in particular, the Senior Dental Surgeon and the Dental Services Unit has greatly strengthened our collective ability to deliver quality care to the people of Saint Lucia.”

Senior Dental Surgeon Dr. Shery Ephraim-Le Compte extended heartfelt gratitude to the Rotary Club of St. Lucia for their steadfast support, dedication and hard work to make this vision of the first mobile dental clinic a reality. Special mention was made of Mr. Konrad Wagner and Mr. Charlie Serieux who worked tirelessly with her over the years to ensure that this project was delivered. “It is said that you can have an idea about a country economic status by looking at the oral health of its citizens. Certainly with this state-of-the-art mobile dental vehicle with all of the supplies and equipment provided, we are definitely on the right track to enhancing the oral health status of not only our children and other vulnerable people but everybody in Saint Lucia and as far as we can utilize this vehicle and so I look forward to the continued collaboration with the Ministry of Education, principals, parents and teachers in our renewed drive to provide dental care to their students using this more effective and efficient means.”