MONTEGO BAY, St James — For the St James leg of Great Shape! Inc’s 1000 Smiles Dental Programme, first time volunteer, Dr Ayaz Jafri, closed down his practice – Mid-Michigan Dental Centre – in Owosso, Michigan for one week, and flew 17 employees and family members to Jamaica.

Along with five dental assistants, two administrative staff and four members of his family, including his wife and son, Dr Jafri and Oral Surgeon, Dr Terry Wang made quite an impact at the recent Great Shape clinic in Maroon Town.

“This is something I’ve always wanted to do ever since I graduated from college,” said Jafri.

“Working with Great Shape has been amazing, and being a part of this initiative has been a life changing experience for my family and employees.”

Dr Jafri expressed tremendous appreciation for the Sandals Foundation, which has been a major sponsor of the Great Shape programme in Jamaica for the past 10 years.

“I can see the true gratitude of the people and their appreciation for the work we’ve done and it definitely gives me a sense of pride knowing that I can do something I enjoy while being a part of a programme that is truly making a difference for the people that my family and I have come to know and love.”

During the past two weeks, over 1,500 persons within St James have benefitted from free dental care offered at Great Shape! Inc’s 1000 Smiles Dental clinics in Maroon Town, Mafoota and Rhyne Park.