Citizens of Suriname are expected to benefit from the ‘Brighten Your Smile’ oral health initiative thanks to Taliba Morgan — daughter of veteran singer Denroy Morgan and sister of sibling group Morgan Heritage — and chairman of Suriname’s Gonini People’s Party Siegfried Jalink Sr.

“My hopes are to reach a wide range of the community in the inner villages of Suriname and for the people to know they are not alone. Long term, we see this going year after year getting bigger and more widely known and ultimately opening a dental practice for the surrounding village offering free dental care to many,” Morgan, who has been providing dental services for 13 years, told the Jamaica Observer.

The programme, set to kick off in July, will involve two dentists from Jamaica and one from the United States who will be on hand to assist the community with gaining free quality oral health care, over a period of seven days with procedures ranging from restorative work to extractions and dental exams, among others.

With this intended to be an annual initiative, the event will take place next year with the Gonini Development Foundation of Suriname on board. In their mission to enhance the lives of the residents of Suriname, the duo is ultimately working towards establishing a free dental clinic in the surrounding village and offering free dental care to many. In addition, plans are being put in place to have Jamaican dental students join the mission by visiting Suriname to work as a clinical elective in the near future, along with medical students for the upcoming year.

“This move will help the people in Suriname, as well as give the students in Jamaica the opportunity to travel internationally and have the clinical experience they need and desire to be a success in the workforce and in the world,” Morgan added, noting that she met Jalink Sr in 2016.

Meanwhile, Jalink Sr told the Observer that this initiative is part of his mandate to better serve the people of Suriname.

“I chose to do this initiative because it is part of my mission as the chairman of my political party, to see change is needed and act on it,” he said.

Beyond this programme, the chairman said he is looking to strengthen ties with Jamaica in other sectors.

“I intend to join forces with Jamaica on an economical level through outreach programmes for our youth, woman and child, giving them access to quality education, and experiences that they too can join the workforce and build a great society,” he continued.

Jalink Sr further said he hopes the initiative will be a testament of his dedication to his compatriots.

“My core objectives are to bring attention to better health for my country, build and keep a bridge between Jamaica and Suriname and show the people of my country I will walk with them,” he said.