News Releases

UWI Special Needs Dental Clinic receives $100K+ in Donations and Cutting-edge Equipment

For Release Upon Receipt - October 13, 2023

St. Augustine


   

 [L-R] Professor Hariharan Seetharaman (Dean, Faculty of Medical Sciences), Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine (Pro Vice-Chancellor, Campus Principal, The UWI St. Augustine Campus), Dr. Stacey Chamely (Medical Officer Community Chest Ltd), Dr. Ramaa Balkaran (Lecturer in Special Needs Dentistry, Coordinator Special Needs Dentistry Clinic) and Professor William Smith (Director, School of Dentistry)

 t. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. October 13, 2023- “UNICEF estimates that 10.1% of persons 0-19 years old have a moderate–severe intellectual or physical disability.  With our CSO data … it means that approx. 38,000 of our TT population can be categorized in this way.” A fact shared by Professor William Smith Director, School of Dentistry of The University of the West Indies (The UWI), who also acknowledged that “we treat a fraction of that segment.”  Professor Smith was speaking at a handover ceremony on September 27, 2023 at the Special Needs Dental Clinic of the Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS) at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt. Hope. This event marked a major step forward in improving dental care for special needs children in Trinidad and Tobago.

 The clinic received overwhelming support from the community via a second generous donation of TTD 30,000 from Community Chest Ltd. (CCL), ensuring that young patients receive the top-notch dental treatments they deserve. Dr. Stacey Chamely of Community Chest said CCL is proud of the work being done at The UWI Special Needs Dentistry Clinic, “We continue to support initiatives like these that address the concerns of underprivileged and special needs children in our society, that, for far too long, are not adequately addressed". 

 

[L-R] Patient visited by donors - Dr. Reneisha Ashton (Dental Intern in Special Needs Dentistry Clinic), Dr. Ramaa Balkaran (Lecturer in Special Needs Dentistry, Coordinator Special Needs Dentistry Clinic), Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine (Pro Vice-Chancellor, Campus Principal, The UWI St. Augustine Campus), Professor William Smith (Director, School of Dentistry), Dr. Stacey Chamely (Medical Officer Community Chest Ltd) and Professor Hariharan Seetharaman (Dean, Faculty of Medical Sciences)

Additionally, Omnident Ltd donated a state-of-the-art handheld x-ray unit, improving the clinic's standards of care. Moreover, an anonymous donor contributed USD 10,000 to digitize the clinic’s X-ray capabilities, propelling diagnostic precision and patient care to new levels. 

 [L-R] Professor Hariharan Seetharaman (Dean, Faculty of Medical Sciences), Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine (Pro Vice-Chancellor, Campus Principal, The UWI St. Augustine Campus), Professor William Smith (Director, School of Dentistry), Dr. Ramaa Balkaran (Lecturer in Special Needs Dentistry, Coordinator Special Needs Dentistry Clinic) are presented with a handheld x-ray from Ms. Pria Babwah (Managing Director, Omnident) 

 “This development not only empowers us to educate our students with cutting-edge technology but also enhances the quality of care we provide to our patients with disabilities,” said Dr. Ramaa Balkaran, Lecturer in Special Needs Dentistry, Coordinator Special Needs Dental Clinic. She extended heartfelt gratitude to the various donors for their unwavering support, “Expanding upon our prior successful collaboration with the NGO CCL, during which we were able to provide dental treatment to over 700 children with special needs at The UWI Special Needs Dental Clinic, we have forged new partnerships.”

 Parents of children under the age of 18 years old with special needs, can book appointments at the dental clinic. The clinical days are currently all day on Mondays and Wednesdays. For further information, interested persons are asked to contact The UWI Dental School, Special Needs Dental Clinic, T: 645-3232 ext. 4104; 645-7816; 645-4352 or via email at specialneeds221@outlook.com

 END

About The University of the West Indies

 The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for the past 75 years.

 From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with near 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Open Campus, and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe.

 The UWI offers over 800 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and wider world.

 The UWI has been consistently ranked among the top universities globally by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). The UWI is the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists since its debut in the rankings in 2018. In addition to its leading position in the Caribbean in the World University Rankings, it is also in the top 25 for Latin America and the Caribbean and the top 100 global Golden Age universities (between 50 and 80 years old).  The UWI is also featured among the leading universities on THE’s Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Wellbeing; Gender Equality and Climate Action.

 2023 marks The UWI’s 75th anniversary. The Diamond jubilee milestone themed “UWI at 75. Rooted. Ready. Rising.” features initiatives purposely designed and aligned to reflect on the past, confront the present, and articulate plans for the future of the regional University.

 Learn more at www.uwi.edu  

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