Free dental care for 409 residents from Old Harbour and Kingston

A total of 409 residents received complimentary teeth cleaning and extractions, in consonance with the group’s aim for this initiative of alleviating the financial burden associated with dental services, improve oral health of residents, and educate them on proper dental hygiene to foster sustainable communities.

“Despite the current climate and challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic, this initiative, among others, epitomizes the JEP Group's commitment and passion for giving back to our neighbours.

“We are always grateful for any opportunity to make an impact and strengthen partnerships within our communities. The fact that we have been able to provide primary dental care for over 400 Jamaicans, who would otherwise not be able to afford it, reminds us of the importance of these initiatives.

“Furthermore, it pushes us to continue our resolve in trying our best to make the communities of western/eastern Kingston and Old Harbour Bay healthier and more sustainable not only now but for years to come," said Wayne McKenzie, president and CEO of the Jamaica Energy Partners Group.

Under the theme “Creating Smiles for Life”, the dental fairs continue to be a top priority for the group of companies (Jamaica Energy Partners, West Kingston Power Partners and Jamaica Private Power Company) and are a fundamental part of its corporate social responsibility portfolio.

Having to pivot because of the pandemic, the company said it resorted to an ‘appointment-only strategy’, encouraging residents to pre-register as a means of ensuring unnecessary congestion at the locations, reduce wait-time and create adequate space in keeping with covid-19 protocols.

Additionally, the group designed an SMS campaign to remind residents to be on time, travel with the relevant forms of identification and wear a mask. Upon entry, and before entering registration and holding areas at the clinic, all residents were subject to mandatory temperature monitoring and hand sanitizing.

President of the Hannah Town Community Development Committee, Nicholas Campbell, applauded the JEP Group for the initiative, emphasizing the value of oral care, noting residents tend not to see its significance and until having to pay the price of their neglect. He also made mention of its ability to unify community members and is already anticipating more partnerships to come.

Jamaica Energy Partners and West Kingston Power Partners commemorated six consecutive stagings in the Old Harbour Bay and western Kingston areas on November 12 and 19, respectively, while Jamaica Private Power Company celebrated its third staging in eastern Kingston on November 26.