Mick Pope
2023 NOV Jamaica Dental Project Report

2023 NOV Jamaica Dental Project Report

Jamaica Dental Project Nov 2023 Report

Weekdays from November 6th thru 17th 2023 our USA-based dental team worked in the town of Duncans, Trelawny providing free dental care to local residents of all ages.  Also during that period a Sealant Team went to some local Trelawny primary schools applying sealants on age appropriate children.

Our clinic site in Duncans was at the Seventh Day Adventist’s Campsite Building.  President Pastor Karl Archer once again gave us permission to utilize the property and erected a large tent to protect from sun and rain those seeking treatment.  The accommodations were only surpassed by the incredible generosity and desire to assist us demonstrated by the church’s staff and patrons.  It was a tremendous show of support.  We hope to be able to continue this relationship and work at this site for years to come.

For the second time the Great Shape organization via Joe Wright arranged for his Jamaica-based crew, led by Reyon Richards, to set up, service and break down the dental equipment for us to utilize.  This donation was the absolutely crucial to enabling us to treat the large numbers of patients we did in the limited time we had.  Our appreciation is endless and it is also a relationship we hope to continue and want to make them proud of their contribution.

The 2 dental teams, each serving a week, comprised  7 oral surgeons,  7 general dentists, 2 pediatric dentists, 5 dental hygienists and 6 dental assistants.  Most were returning professionals from our prior trips, but we were extremely happy to bring some folks for their first time. We hope they will come again.  As we have in most of our years in Trelawny we had the good fortune to be obtain villas in Silver Sands.  This is an essential piece to our being able to continue the Project here.  Many thanks to the management, staff and owners.

It takes numerous people both in the US and in Jamaica to make this Jamaica Dental Project happen.  We feel very fortunate and value all these relationships knowing full well it could not happen without them.

All the Best to Everyone …. and Let’s Do It Again!

Mick Pope, DDS

… on behalf of Dr’s Bob Barnes, Paul Brinser, Jay Bukzin, Jeff Cyr, Ajay Ganti, Mike Grosso, Lauren Kaplan, Lou Korpics, Michelle Mattioli, Jo-Marie Maniwang, Ann Miller, Emma Moredock, Dave Mueller, Tiffany Williams, Zara Zahid, Greg Zoghby. RDH’s Tana Hack, Ashley McClain, Daria Membreno, Tara Pannell, Wendy Steward.  DA’s Regina Brown, Josh Konikoff, Shelly Matthews, Danny Sayegh, Christy Rugh, and especially Lori Zoghby who doubles as Supply Master.

Jamaica Dental Project Contact Information:  EMAIL - mickpope@mac.com    MOBILE - 804-301-6370


2023 Nov 5 to 12

2023 Nov 12 to 19    




2023 JAN Jamaica Dental Project Report - We're On The Road Again!

2023 January - Jamaica Dental Project Report

On January 9 thru 13, 2023 our Virginia-based dental team worked in the town of Duncans, Trelawny providing free dentistry to local residents of all ages.  This was a one week reboot of our ongoing Project after three years of COVID restrictions.  We knew there would be changes and fortunately with assistance we were able to navigate the new bureaucratic challenges.  Our hope now is to be able to do a full three week dental project later in the year.

Our clinic site in Duncans was the Seventh Day Adventist’s Campsite Building.  President Pastor Karl Archer gave us permission to utilize the property and erected a large tent to protect from sun and rain those seeking treatment.  The accommodations were only surpassed by the incredible generosity and desire to assist us demonstrated by the church’s staff and patrons.  It was a tremendous show of support.  We hope to be able to continue this relationship and work at this site for years to come.

Another first for our Project was to be able to utilize dental chairs, units, a compressor and autoclaves from the Great Shape organization via Joe Wright.  He arranged for his Jamaica-based crew,  led by Reyon Richards, to set up, service and break down the equipment for us.  This donation was the key to allowing us to see the numbers of patients we did in the few days we had.  Our appreciation is endless.

The dental team consisted of 3 oral surgeons, 3 general dentists, 2 pediatric dentists, 3 dental hygienists and an overworked dental assistant.  Most were returning professionals from our prior trips which began in 1986 and have taken place annually.  As we have in most all of our years we had the good fortune to be housed at Silver Sands.  This is an essential piece to our being able to continue the Project.  Many thanks to the management, staff and owners.

It takes numerous people in Jamaica to make this dental Project happen.  Some we have known a long while.  Some we have just met this trip.  Their names may be recognized by those receiving this report, but most names will be unfamiliar.  This is an opportunity to acknowledge so many that have aided our work.

In no particular order… THANK YOU … Dr Diahann Dale, Dr Amalya Nelson, Phyllis Hall, Courtney Cephas, Keith & Paula Russell, Angela Bartley, Steve Forrester, Paul Leachman, Prem Chadeesingh, Barrington Vernon, Trudie Webster, Sean Azan, Juliet Benian, Glenn Clydesdale, Dulcie Moody and Connie at Island Car Rental, Dennis Samuels and Chantal at Cornwall Medical Dental Supply, Everton at Everton Electronics, Grace Walker, Pastor Andre Sinclair, Pastor Carlington Hylton, Randall Duncan, Dane Rodney, Richard and Pauline at Seventh Day Adventists Campsite Building, House staff at Endless Summer Paulette, Margaret and Nigel, House staff at Buena Vista Nordia and Kelly Ann and finally  to Karen Sangster.

All the Best!

Mick Pope, DDS, MA

… on behalf of Dr’s Bob Barnes, Jeff Cyr, Lou Korpics, Jo-Marie Maniwang, Dave Mueller, Tiffany Williams, Greg Zoghby, RDH’s Daria Membreno, Mara Minter, Tara Pannell, and Supply Coordinator, DA Lori Zoghby

Contact Information:  EMAIL - mickpope@mac.com   MOBILE - 804-901-6370

Letter of Intent submitted ….. for early 2023

Aug 10, 2022

MOH Jamaica sent notice that Letters Of Intent from medical and dental volunteer groups are now being accepted. Our Letter Of Intent was sent out yesterday. Instructions on the requirements to be granted permission are expected soon. This year’s student coordinator, Vanessa Brown has already been actively fund raising. Veteran faculty have pledged to continue in the project.

The door is opening ….

2022 Summer Situation …

The Jamaican Ministry of Health is still not allowing any volunteer medical / dental groups a permit due to COVID …. BUT …. they are talking about it. This is a move in the right direction and is an indicator that we may once again be allowed to provide dental services in Trelawny. There are a number of faculty and dental students anxious to make things happen again. I’m hopeful. STAY TUNED!

Equipment Need for Mobile Clinic

In 2018 we lost the use of Long Pond Clinic due to the closure of the associated distillery. Our equipment and supplies that have been annually housed at the clinic were moved to a storage spot in Duncans. Fall of 2019 we utilized a Ministry of Health Clinic in Ulster Springs a mountainous rural area of Trelawny. It was a beautiful clinic but with a smaller surrounding population. We didn’t even have to transport our dental units or compressors as the rural clinic was fully capable. Though 2019 was a good experience at a fully equipped clinic, it was decided we’d rather be back in the northern part of the parish where we would see higher numbers of patients.

For 2020 we expect to be in a building right in Duncans. Our patient load is expected to be close to 2000 over 3 weeks. Most of our equipment is sufficient to set up a preventative, restorative and surgical clinic but we have an imperative need. WE NEED TWO MOBILE COMPRESSORS.

A campaign to raise the funds is going to be started this month and we’ll be referring potential donors to this website. Hope everyone looks thru the site a bit and gets a feel from where we’ve been and what we are now.

Below is what we’re hoping to acquire. Two of these 45 pound “suitcase like” compressors will power our two dental restore carts. If you can please “GIVE” by the link in the column to the right of this post.

$5, … $20,… $35,….. $100,… $??? ANY AMOUNT is helpful and tax-deductible

Keep you updated on how this works out! As always …. “Much Respect” 😎🇯🇲

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2019 FINAL REPORT

FINAL REPORT 

VCU School of Dentistry Jamaica Project 2019

Two dental teams associated with the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry once again traveled to provide dental care and education to the people of Trelawny Parish from November 3rd through November 17th of this year.

Teams were comprised of senior dental students, dental hygiene students and pediatric dental residents overseen by affiliated dental faculty along with registered dental hygienists. The services provided included cleanings, sealants, restorations, extractions and oral hygiene instruction. The main clinical site was Ulster Springs Health Centre in Ulster Springs.  Outreach treatment was provided to Good Hope plantation and multiple Trelawny schools.

Our Project has a SEALANT Team, in its sixth year, which placed sealants on Grade 1 and 2 students at primary schools in Duanvale, Kinloss, Duncans and Jacksontown. Preventive dental education was provided in the schools as well.

Many thanks are extended to Janice Walker at MOH in Kingston for her continuing assistance with our paper work and the coordination with Ministry of Health (MOH) and Procurement.   She is very reliable and always helpful.

Special thanks to Dr. Dale at MOH Trelwany and all of her team for enabling our use of Ulster Springs Health Centre as our Clinical home this year.  The administrative and clinical staff at USHC deserve praise for their daily assistance with our teams.  Specifically Dental Nurses Lita Boothe and Candilyn Galloway were of tremendous value. 

This project would not be possible without particular homeowners at Silver Sand Estates.  Barbie Swaby, Jodi Munn-Barrow, Diane Stewart and Karen Sangster were very generous again.  They have supported our efforts and their house staff work hard to make our living experience over the 2 weeks a very pleasant one.  

This trip marked our 33rd year of providing dental treatment in Jamaica.  Our efforts for the Fall of 2020 are being planned and we are looking forward to continuing this ongoing endeavor.  

Totals for this year are below.

Patients Cleanings Teeth Restored Surfaces Restored Extractions Sealants

800 124 150 295 564 352

INSTAGRAM!!!!

Hey Instagram people ….. I decided to expand our social media exposure and created and account. Search for …

jamaicadentalproject

I’m going to try and do a POST a day. Hopefully project alums will find it as it gains more and more followers. Help us out and spread the word among your Insta-friends :)

2017 Groups Ready to Travel Next Week,...

This years groups begin their work in Trelawny, Jamaica next week.  Dental care is to be provided from OCT 23rd weekdays thru NOV 10th.  Long Pond Clinic will serve as our home clinic.  Teams are expected to work in Ulster Springs and at Good Hope Plantation.  SEAL TEAM (#4) will be expanding services this year to Duncans Infant and Primary School as well as continuing their work in Duanvale, Jacksontown and Clarks Town.  Weather looks to be "tropical" with no hurricanes in the forecast.  There will be a total of 57 faculty, hygienists, residents, dental and hygiene students participating.  

A new dental service being provided this trip is endodontics.  We're hopeful this can become an integral part of the Project.  Dr. Clara Spatafore, Chair of VCU SoD Endodontics along with two of her residents are spearheading this initial attempt.  

Every 'ting is gonna be ah-right,...

2016 Project Reunion ....

April 19, 2017 evening drinks and food at the home of Perry and Beverly Jones.  Best turn out yet for a Project reunion!  "Good Vibrations" all around as folks catch up, share future plans and reflect on last fall's trip.  There was also some politicing going on with the graduating students,.... planting the seed of their returning as faculty,.... and reminding them that donations will always be welcome!  Beautiful time was had by all.

2016 Project Reunion,...

2016 Project Reunion,...

Go Fund Me Notices Sent Out,.....

Today notices about the Go Fund Me - Jamaica Project campaign are being sent out to Project veterans and students at VCUSoD.  Interested students got the ball rolling on this "experiment" and we're anxious to see how it goes.  People are able to easily share a link to the GFM page on their own FaceBook pages.  This will really gain us a great deal of exposure that we've not been able to achieve.  There is a GFM link in the right hand column of this page too.  If you've not seen the GFM page, please take a look.  🇯🇲

Thirty years and counting,.....

All groups enjoyed successful weeks in Trelawny again this year.  There were returning faculty types,... D 17's,....Hygiene students,.... former students coming as faculty,.... and new DDS's and RDH's.  In country we were aided by long time friends, familiar vendors and new acquaintances.  It's an evolving endeavor.  Hope every one that has been involved can feel the "respect"!

Jamaica Project 2016 Collage

Project 2016 In Progress,....

Group 1 and the Seal Team just returned  home last night from a productive week in Trelawny.  Dental care was provided at Long Pond Clinic, Ulster Springs Clinic, Schools Duanale, Kinloss, First Hill and Clarks Town.  Good Hope plantation workers were also visited by our providers.  The weather wasn't always accommodating but the rains did not deter the work or the patients.  Group 2 is up and running this week while Group 3 is preparing to travel down this weekend for their stint.  Our 30th year!  Wow!

Reunion of Fall 2015 Groups Last Night,....

Great turn out last night at Perry and Beverly Jones home.  All three groups were well represented.  Food, drink, music and a slide show of photos from last fall's Project had everybody smiling.  It's a busy time for  the graduating dental and hygiene students and it was good to spend some down time with them and learn where each one of them is heading.  Much Respect to all of them!

Wheels are turning,...

The wheels are turning to make the 2016 Jamaica Project (10/23 to 11/13) a reality.  The rising senior class met with Dr. Tiffany Williams and Dr. Bob Barnes last month to brief all interested in "what it takes" to travel down for our annual venture.  There was good attendance and the student coordinator for the upcoming year, Emma Moredock has already begun mapping out plans for fund raising.  

Things are ever changing in Trelawny.  Everglade Farms is not currently in operation as business and politics on the island struggle to find a workable path.  Likely this will mean our services will be more needed by the local population as the area economy takes a down turn.  Hopefully our clinic situation will remain stable and we'll be operating as usual.  Time will tell,....  We're planning on it!