Bulletin of Dental Education Article

Led by Dwight E. McLeod, D.D.S., M.S., Dean and Professor of Periodontics at A.T. Still University Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH), a team from St. Louis Dental Center recently provided free dental care to underserved Jamaican children and adults. Dean McLeod, originally from Jamaica, founded and has inspired both local and international participation in the Jamaica Dental Mission.

The ATSU-MOSDOH’s St. Louis Dental Center Team on its Jamaica Dental Mission Project.

“We promote oral health literacy, informing and educating patients of their oral health needs and overall impact on general health. Oral health awareness will help keep dental patients out of crowded hospital emergency rooms. This is also a priority at the St. Louis Dental Center because regular dental care and hygiene prevent unnecessary ER visits,” said Dean McLeod. “We aim to demonstrate best practices that yield successful outcomes.”

From left to right: Dean Dwight E. McLeod, D.D.S., M.S., and Poonam Jain, B.D.S., M.S., M.P.H., both A.T. Still University Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health faculty, take a moment to stretch before working with patients. 

St. Louis volunteers on the team included faculty and students from ATSU-MOSDOH and Southern Illinois University School of Pharmacy, general dentists and dental specialists from private practice, allied dental professionals, other health care providers and nondental volunteers. 

“This clinical experience can be life changing,” added Dean McLeod. “The opportunity to serve this population is about dentistry and more. It’s about volunteerism, professionalism, collaboration, community relationships and promoting educational excellence and cultural awareness.”

Many volunteers have supported the Dental Mission Project since its inception in April 2000. They express a strong commitment to helping the underserved population of Jamaica gain access to dental care and understand oral health awareness. During the 2024 Jamaica Dental Mission, 640 patients were treated, bringing the grand total of patients to 20,385 since its inception.

“My experience on the Jamaica Dental Mission was incredibly touching, from helping a 16-year-old restore his smile, to working alongside skilled doctors, relieving pain, and providing preventive care to an underserved community. Giving back in this way is truly beautiful, and I’m committed to continuing this work,” said Adwar Shamuna, a third-year dental student at ATSU-MOSDOH.

“The Jamaica [Dental Mission] experience reinforced my passion for serving underserved communities and highlighted the importance of addressing oral health disparities on a global scale,” said Euslah Kigen, a third-year dental student at ATSU-MOSDOH. “Working in a resource-limited setting taught me to be creative with available tools and find efficient ways to provide care. I learned how to make the most of what we had to meet patient needs.”

Significant goals for the Jamaica Dental Mission Project are to:

• Eliminate disparities of access to dental care in targeted communities;
• Develop a highly structured and functional preventive oral health program to meet the needs of school children and adults in underserved areas of Westmoreland and St. James; 
• Gain support of local school districts and surrounding communities;
• Educate children and parents;
• Solicit funds to build a dental clinic equipped to deliver comprehensive dental care to children and adults;
• Implement an effective preventive program to reduce the prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease; and
• Partner with government and other entities to improve the quality of oral health and well-being of all Jamaicans.

The next Jamaica Dental Mission Project is scheduled for July 19-26, 2025.

About A.T. Still University of Health Sciences
Established in 1892 by A.T. Still, D.O., the founder of osteopathic medicine, A.T. Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU) began as the nation’s first college of osteopathic medicine and has evolved into a leading university of health sciences comprised of a growing community with a rich history in education and osteopathic healthcare. Today, ATSU offers certificate and master’s degrees across health disciplines, doctorates in athletic training, audiology, health administration, education, health sciences, medical science, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, dental medicine and osteopathic medicine.

About St. Louis Dental Center
The St. Louis Dental Center, located at 1500 Park Ave. in the Lafayette Square neighborhood, is a state-of-the-art 79,000-square-foot clinical education facility with 101 dental chairs. Dental care is provided for the St. Louis community by Affinia Healthcare dentists and staff and ATSU-MOSDOH faculty and dental students. To learn more about St. Louis Dental Center, please visit stldentalcenter.org or Facebook.com/stldental.center.

About Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health
Established in 2013, ATSU’s Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH) offers an innovative curriculum with an emphasis on public health, leadership, and practice. ATSU-MOSDOH addresses the oral healthcare disparities in Missouri and across the nation. In addition to the issues of oral health and skills of dentistry, students learn from and are encouraged to become caring, community-minded healthcare providers.

About Affinia Healthcare
Established in 1906, Affinia Healthcare is a dynamic and transformative health system, providing affordable primary and preventive healthcare, including medical, dental, and behavioral health services across 12 locations in St. Louis city and county. Affinia Healthcare is a community health center, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is accredited through the Joint Commission, and National Committee for Quality Assurance organizations.

Courtesy of A.T. Still University Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health

Published on December 11, 2024