ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — More than 100 children in St Elizabeth are sporting brighter, healthier smiles following a recent two-day outreach by Santa Cruz Family Dental with the launch of their “Sweet Smiles, Smart Choices” campaign coinciding with the observance of World Oral Health Day on March 20.

The team visited two primary schools and a church in Goshen and Myserville, St Elizabeth to provide free dental screenings, cleanings and oral health kits to a total of 101 local children. Goshen Primary and Infant School, Austin Primary and Infant School, and Refuge Temple Ministries were among the key beneficiaries of this community outreach.

This initiative primarily targeted grade six students, recognising that as they transition into secondary school, they will be required to complete a dental assessment. This free assessment and cleaning will ensure that students are not only informed about proper oral hygiene practices, but also adequately prepared to meet upcoming health requirements.

The initiative ties in with the theme “A Happy Mouth is a Happy Life”, which is this year’s global theme for World Oral Health Day.

The timing is not a coincidence. The campaign is a direct response to the Government’s new special consumption tax (SCT) on sugar-sweetened beverages, which kicks off in April. While the tax is designed to fight national issues like obesity and diabetes, Santa Cruz Family Dental wanted to champion this step while making sure oral health does not get left out of the conversation.

As Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton recently highlighted, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for over 75 per cent of deaths in the region. He made this disclosure in October 2025 while delivering Jamaica’s statement at the 62nd Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization in Washington, DC.

Further reinforcing this position, Dr Tufton addressed the issue of sugar consumption on February 19 at the reopening of the Belfield Community Health Centre in St Mary. He urged consumers to make more informed choices, advising, “Look for the one with the lowest sugar per millilitre per serving because, the truth is, sugary drinks come with side effects.”

These side effects can also occur from a dental standpoint, so by reducing sugar intake, Jamaicans will not only be protecting their waistlines and heartbeat, they will also be saving their teeth.

The message is already sticking. When asked what “Sweet Smiles, Smart Choices” meant at an education forum at Goshen Primary and Infant School, one grade six student said, “[It] is making the choice to take care of your mouth by brushing and flossing in the morning and before you go to bed.”

Beyond the classroom talks, the clinic handed out toothbrushes and floss to students and their families, ensuring the community has the tools to keep their smiles bright long after the outreach has ended.

Located at Shop 3, Block 6 in Fern Village, Santa Cruz, Family Dental has been a staple in the St Elizabeth community for over two years. By stepping out of the office and into the schools, the practice aims to be more than just a dental clinic — they’re positioning themselves as long-term partners in the community’s overall wellness.

— Jhaneil Grey