(PRWEB) For over ten years, Great Shape! Inc.’s 1000 Smiles has provided free access to dental care and education for Jamaican families. You can apply now for the world’s largest, international, humanitarian dental project. More than 300 volunteers provide Jamaicans with cleanings, extractions, sealants, and education in temporary dental clinics and schools each year.
“Great Shape! is an organization that is committed to providing much needed services to the Jamaican people. Their relationships with the communities and sponsors in Jamaica make volunteering there an absolute joy. It is such a caring and dedicated group, really making a difference year after year,” says Megan Heiser, Great Shape! Inc. volunteer.
In 2012, over 300 volunteers served 5,500 patients in 16 different clinics in rural Jamaica. Last year the program reached 7,000 children who participated in the oral health outreach program. You can volunteer for one or two weeks on projects scheduled between August and November.
Negril:
Wk 1: Aug. 30 to Sept. 8
Wk 2: Sept. 7 to Sept. 16
Montego Bay:
Wk 3: Sept. 20 to Sept. 29
Wk 4: Sept. 28 to Oct. 7
Ocho Rios:
Wk 5: Oct. 18 to Oct. 27
Wk 6: Oct. 26 to Nov. 4
Whitehouse:
Wk 7: Nov. 8 to Nov. 17
Wk 8: Nov. 16 to Nov. 25
Tooth decay leads to cavities, disease, low birth rates, unemployment, and even death. In rural Jamaica there is just one dentist for every 100,000 people. Great Shape! Inc.'s dental volunteers provide fillings, extractions, sealants and dental hygiene education. Non-dental professionals support the teams with patient flow, sterilization, chair side assistance and the education team.
Great Shape! Inc. also partners with a university in Jamaica, providing in-field training and dental equipment and supplies to the existing Ministry of Health clinics and staff.
Volunteers pay an $800 project fee and their own airfare. Friends, family and colleagues can financially support a volunteer through the “Sponsor a Smile” program. Each $50 sponsorship enters the donor to win a vacation for two in Jamaica.
Great Shape! Inc. is a 501 C 3 non-profit that facilitates humanitarian projects in Jamaica, including 1000 Smiles (dental), iCare (eye care), and SuperKids (literacy). 2013 celebrates 25 years of service in action in Jamaica.
The Sandals Foundation and Sandals Resorts International are Great Shape!'s lead partners, hosting volunteers at no charge while they work on projects. Sandals is a long time supporter of Great Shape! Inc. and provides ½ million dollars in accommodations, entertainment, and logistical support. The Jamaican Ministry of Health provides the infrastructures for our temporary clinics so our teams can work safely and effectively.
For more information about Great Shape! Inc. and how to volunteer, visit gsjamaica.org. For news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Twitter as Great Shape Inc. or connect with our blog: https://greatshapesuperkids.org/blog/.
