Minister for Health Hon. Philip Telesford along with Chief Dental Surgeon Dr Festina Hamlet, visited the River Sallee Community Centre in St Patrick on Tuesday, 6 May to meet with, and express gratitude to members of the volunteer group Smiles Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique (Smiles GCP) for its outstanding humanitarian service to the people of Grenada — particularly the residents of River Sallee.
Minister Telesford praised the group’s ongoing efforts, noting the vital role Smiles GCP plays in improving public health across the nation. “The dedication and hard work of Smiles GCP are invaluable to our communities,” said Minister Telesford. “Its efforts not only enhance the quality of life for our citizens but also foster a spirit of unity and care that is essential to national wellbeing.”
Dr Hamlet echoed these sentiments, commending the team for its continued commitment to delivering essential dental and health services. “Smiles GCP’s contributions are a powerful example of volunteerism and community engagement in action. We are deeply grateful for their unwavering support,” she said.
Smiles GCP’s annual mission focuses on oral health and dental care. The team, which has been serving Grenada since 2018, provides services including dental cleanings, fillings, extractions, and oral health education. This year’s mission, which began on Monday, concludes on Thursday, 8 May at the River Sallee Community Centre.
In addition to dental care, the initiative offers blood pressure and blood sugar checks, massages, and valuable wellness education. The visit highlighted the government’s continued commitment to supporting volunteer initiatives and strengthening community health programmes throughout Grenada.
Smiles GCP is a Canada-based non-profit organisation founded by Chairwoman Vanessa Felix and directed by renowned Grenadian dentist Dr Sheridan Cyrus.
Source: Ministry of Health
Good morning Mr. Brown,
My hope is that our volunteer efforts are not seen as a handout but as our duty to mankind. As a child, I remember dentists coming to Grenada from abroad to provide dental care. Now that I am a dentist myself I am doing the same. I hope that the message being sent to all of us is that we have the responsibility as citizens of our country to help each other to have a more enjoyable life through volunteering our time and abilities. I have done that as a child here in grenada while helping my mother with her volunteer activities. I have also volunteered some of my time in my community in Canada for more than 36 years and now see it fit to do the same in my homeland. I hope the children we encounter as we provide these services will be encouraged to do the same as they become adults.
I would like to thank all the people who came to receive our services. I hope the service we provided was of help to you and in some way has made life more enjoyable.
With love,
Dr. Sheridan Cyrus
Thanks smile grenada!
This shows how lame we are in waiting on handouts for down smile on all while we spend our limited resources on hosting sports, travel, and celebrating a year-long independence day celebration.