RESTORING missing teeth can help people regain their confidence but access to dental prosthetic services remains a challenge in some communities.

Recognising an opportunity in Norris District, St Thomas, Jodi-Ann Davis established Dentition Prosthetic Studio, a dental laboratory producing acrylic and flexible dentures, crowns, bridges, retainers, mouth guards, and other dental appliances for dental practitioners and members of the public.

Davis was introduced to dental technology through the Ministry of Labour’s Steps to Work programme, which placed her at a dental office. During the placement she was asked to take a dental case to a laboratory, where she became interested in the work.

“I was like, wow, this makes money! And I don’t have to deal with all these people,” Davis recalled, explaining that the behind-the-scenes nature of the work suited her personality.

After discovering that dental technology was offered at the University of Technology, Jamaica, she decided to pursue the field in 2020. Upon graduating in 2024 her training included two years of laboratory work, followed by an eight-month internship at a cosmetic dentistry practice overseas. The experience helped prepare her for the technical demands of the profession and, eventually, for running her own business. By January 2026 she had begun manufacturing dental prosthetics and appliances through Dentition Prosthetic Studio, taking advantage of a gap in the local market.

“It’s an underserved market. And the person with the skill in my area was retiring so I just took the opportunity,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

The studio’s name reflects the work Davis does, with “dentition” referring to the arrangement and types of teeth. She also describes herself as a “dental magician”, a play on the term dental technician that inspired the slogan, “Crafting Dental Magic”. For Davis, the name captures the impact of her work, something she experienced first-hand when she made a dental prosthetic for her father, who was also her first client.

“After I made him the prosthetic I did realise that, well he wasn’t smiling [before], so now that he has it, he’s smiling more and he’s talking more,” she said.

The experience reinforced for Davis the difference dental prosthetics can make in people’s lives, particularly among older clients who may experience changes in facial appearance following tooth loss. Restoring missing front teeth among younger people, including those who lose them through sporting activities, has also been a source of satisfaction for her.

Establishing the studio, however, required significant investment in equipment. Davis used savings from her eight-month overseas internship to purchase machinery after returning to Jamaica, and also acquired used equipment from someone closing their business. Importing additional machinery proved expensive because of its weight and customs duties. In July 2026 she won $100,000 in a pitch competition organised by the Young Women and Men of Purpose (Y.W.O.P) Flow Reap Foundation, which helped her purchase additional materials. Among the studio’s offerings, acrylic partial dentures are currently the most requested service, which Davis attributes to their affordability. The dentures can be made in different finishes, including clear or flesh-coloured material. Acrylic dentures start at $20,000 while flexible dentures start at $45,000, with prices increasing depending on the requirements of each case.

As Davis works to attract more dental practices to the business by visiting dental offices and attending networking events, she hopes to eventually establish a centrally located studio in Kingston while preparing to take her services to underserved communities through a mobile offering, with Trelawny among her target areas. For her, the goal is to build a sustainable business while helping more people regain their smiles and confidence, a balance she describes as for “both profit and purpose”.

These images show a client’s teeth before and after dental prosthetic work.

A dental prosthesis made at Dentition Prosthetic Studio, which specialises in crafting dental appliances.