RESPONDING to an overwhelming need for dental services in a section of West Kingston, the United States-based humanitarian organisation North Bronx and Friends Mission Group returned to the community last week to offer the highly sought-after service to residents.

The four-day programme, which began on last Monday and ended last Thursday, was a coordinated effort with Good Samaritan Inn, an affiliate of the East Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

Vermont Murray, manager at the inn, told the Jamaica Observer that during the summer season different humanitarian groups visit the facility to offer health-care services.

“Two weeks ago we had a group from the Metropolitan City Church in Maryland, [now] there is this group from New York… They are here to do dental, medical, counselling, spiritual, gift packages, and a big bonus [is that] they are serving two meals per day — breakfast and lunch,” said Murray.

Benjamin Powell, coordinator of the North Bronx and Friends Mission Group, told the
Sunday Observer that the need for dental services was what prompted the group’s return.

“This is our second mission trip. It was painful to see people who couldn’t see the dentists that we had last year. The numbers that showed up from the community for dental work was very large. I think dental was more in need, more than medical. So based on what we saw and heard and how people were very discouraged, we talked as a group and we decided to not do two days, as it was pretty short, and to do four days [instead],” said Powell at the start of the mission on Monday.

“The team that came down was very happy to do four days, and we’re doing well, so far. I think we’re meeting the needs. We have three days to go, so we know more people will be coming and we will have more dentists coming. We also have a large number of dentists here from Kingston who will be with us during the course of this week,” added Powell.

Vermont Murray (right), manager of Good Samaritan Inn, being greeted by Benjamin Powell, coordinator of the North Bronx and Friends Mission Group. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

He pointed out that the aim was to serve up to 40 people daily.

“It could be more because we have a great response from dentists from overseas and locally. We have some lab assistants, as well, who will help with dentures. We have a pharmacist on-board and we also do counselling, so we have licensed counsellors. Persons who have their situations, family issues or challenges, we have persons here who are licensed to address that, and currently we have, I think, one or two persons who have requested that service,” said Powell.

Dahlia Reid, an official of the North Bronx and Friends Mission Group, pointed out that people seeking services were at the facility before the team arrived on Monday.

“As of 9:15 this morning we had about 43 people registered for dental. We started about 9:00 am. Dental has been full, every room has been full. Tables were moved outside to service more people and we have two more portable tables outside that we used for the dental,” said Reid, noting that a large number of people did extractions.

The return of the medical team was a blessing for resident Sharon Benjamin.

“Last year I came for cleaning but I did not get through, but I saw the doctor. This trip I got to do my cleaning and I also saw the doctor. What they are doing here now is good for us so we can come and get whatever we want to be done, like cleaning, because to see a dentist in Jamaica is expensive and sometimes it is a long wait at the health centre for dentist,” said Benjamin.

“So when I heard they were coming I said OK, because I wanted to get my cleaning done,” added Benjamin, who told the Sunday Observer that she learnt about the initiative through her church.