TOCO, SRDF, SLMDA PARTNERSHIP DELIVERS GET FREE DENTAL SERVICES TO SOUFRIERE
Soufriere, May 3rdh, 2018; Four Soufriere Primary schools were among over 225 community people receiving free dental services in Soufriere through another outreach initiative spearheaded by the TOCO Foundation. The clinics were delivered by Washington DC based Holistic dental practitioner Dr. Terry Victor, and his team of two dentists, one hygienist and two volunteers. Dr. Victor has been selected as ‘best holistic dentist’ in the DC metropolitan area for the last five years.
Schools and community people were accommodated over the course of three days of whole day dental clinics from May 1st – 3rd. This was made possible with support from Saint Lucia Medical and Dental Association, Helen Television Systems, Diamond Villas and the Saint Lucia Government, and in collaboration with the Soufriere Regional Development Foundation (SRDF). The clinics which took place on the premises of the SRDF attracted a mixed crowd of adults and children who were serviced with extractions, fillings and cleaning.
TOCO Chairman Taj Weekes disclosed that a primary group targeted by the dental clinics was the Rastafarian community. “I had noticed that Rasta brothers living outside of the mainstream of society seem unable to access professional dental services, often because they cannot afford it. Everyone should have a decent smile. So for TOCO, good response from the Rastafarian community was an important outcome of the clinics”, Mr. Weekes explained.
Care packets containing toothbrush, toothpaste and floss and dental hygiene literature were distributed to everyone who availed themselves of the free service while additional supplies were distributed to schools on the outskirts of Soufriere that could not have been accommodated to volume and time constraints. As key partners, the SRDF Medical and Dental Association came in for high praise from TOCO for the community mobilization in the first instance, and for guidance to TOCO and the Washington DC team in meeting state compliance requirements.
“The viability of a project is in the countless details and due diligence. The guidance of Dr Sherry Ephraim of SLMDA, and the sweat of Mr. Herod Stanislas was critical to the success of the clinics. TOCO always wants to do more, but ultimately what we can accomplish is often dependent on who is with us and the responsiveness of local counterparts”, said Mrs. Angela Weekes of TOCO Foundation.
Another social outreach project soon to be unveiled by TOCO team focuses on Saint Lucia’s diabetic community. Mr. Weekes described it as ambitious, with far reaching impact with the support and cooperation of lead agencies of government and the association representing the interest of diabetics. He disclosed that a full announcement and details of the initiative will be made within the next few weeks.
