PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands – Approximately 1,400 residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) benefited from comprehensive, state-of-the-art dental care through a recently concluded 1000 Smiles dental clinic, initiative spearheaded by Great Shape! Inc. in partnership with the Sandals Foundation, Beaches Turks & Caicos and the Ministry of Health and Human Services.

Hosted at the Church of God of Prophecy in Five Cays, Providenciales, the initiative provided a wide range of essential dental services at no cost to beneficiaries. These included dental examinations, professional cleanings, fillings, extractions, X-rays, sealants and other necessary treatments, helping to address oral health needs while improving access to quality dental care within the local community.

Now in its fifth year in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the programme continues to demonstrate the value of sustained public-private partnerships in expanding access to essential healthcare. The growing reach of the initiative reflects residents’ continued support and confidence in the philanthropic commitment of the Sandals Foundation, the charitable arm of Sandals Resorts International, its partnership with the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands and Great Shape! Inc.

A team of 77 dental professionals participated in this year’s clinic, delivering services with efficiency, professionalism and a shared commitment to improving the oral health and wellbeing of residents.

Beyond the provision of direct dental treatment, the initiative also placed significant emphasis on preventive care and education, recognising the importance of establishing good oral hygiene practices from an early age.

Through Great Shape! Inc.’s dental education programme, teams visited schools across the Turks and Caicos Islands, reaching a total of 4,320 students with practical information and guidance on maintaining good oral health. Participating institutions included Thelma Lightbourne Primary School, BEST Institute, Community Christian School, Ashley Learning Centre, Preparing Little Minds, Richmond Hill Preparatory School, Ianthe Pratt Primary School, Maranatha Academy, Elite School, Holy Family School, Oseta Jolly Primary School, Enid Capron Primary School, Provo Christian Academy, Shining Stars Preparatory School and Mills Institute.

During school visits, students and teachers participated in interactive educational sessions that highlighted the importance of proper brushing techniques, flossing and consistent oral hygiene practices. The sessions were designed to build awareness, encourage healthy habits and reinforce the importance of preventive dental care.

Deryk Meany, General Manager of Beaches Turks and Caicos, was elated to see the turnout of families, noting that increasing access to healthcare services is a key component of the philanthropic organization’s work in improving the lives of the region’s people.

“We are beyond pleased to see the expansion of the 1000 Smiles dental programme in Turks and Caicos Islands. Healthy people make healthy communities and as an organization committed to nation building, we are fully committed to doing what we can to invest in the long- term development of the region’s health sector and services,” Mr. Meany stated.

The continued implementation of the 1000 Smiles dental clinic initiative has been strengthened through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands in collaboration with the Sandals Foundation, to facilitate the provision of free dental care to residents during the month of October.

The programme underscores the importance of collaborative partnerships in addressing community healthcare needs, particularly in areas where access to affordable dental services may be a challenge. By combining clinical services with educational outreach, the initiative delivers both immediate assistance and longer-term benefits through increased awareness and prevention.

Great Shape! Inc.’s 1000 Smiles project has established a significant regional presence, providing free dental services to thousands of beneficiaries across Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Grenada, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Antigua, Barbados and The Bahamas.

Through initiatives such as 1000 Smiles, the Sandals Foundation and its partners continue to demonstrate a commitment to strengthening communities, supporting healthier futures and making a meaningful difference in the lives of Caribbean people.

Photo captions: All photographs were taken at the clinic site except the dental group at Beaches.

(Members of the Great Shape dental team attending to patients at the recent dental clinic staged in the Turks and Caicos Islands.)

Health system is among only a handful in the U.S. to offer the minimally invasive robotic procedure Cleveland Clinic is among the first hospitals in the country – and the first in Ohio – to perform a robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy procedure, following recent clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Stephanie Valente, D.O., and a surgical team recently performed the first robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate breast cancer reconstruction at Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital. The procedure offers a new minimally invasive approach to breast cancer surgery and risk-reducing mastectomy for patients at elevated risk.

This milestone places Cleveland Clinic among a select group of centers nationwide offering the advanced technology and brings one of the newest innovations in breast cancer surgery to patients in Northeast Ohio.

“This robotic approach offers greater precision through a much smaller incision, which can mean less visible scarring and faster recovery,” said Dr. Valente, director of the Cleveland Clinic Breast Surgery Fellowship Program and director of the West Region Multidisciplinary Breast Program. “Compared with the traditional procedure, which requires a larger incision, this approach can improve cosmetic outcomes, preserve the skin and nipple, and support a more natural appearance after surgery.”

During the procedure, surgeons use a 3D camera and robotic instruments inserted through a small incision of one inch, typically hidden along the side of the breast rather than across the underside, to remove breast tissue while preserving the nipple, areola and skin. The robotic platform, the da Vinci SP Surgical System, provides enhanced visualization and precision while minimizing disruption to the overlying skin.

Robotic surgery gives the surgeon better visualization of the operative field in what is typically a technically challenging procedure. This enhanced view can improve nerve identification and preservation, reduce blood loss and allow surgeons to perform the same oncologic operation through a one-inch incision rather than the traditional five-inch open incision.

The robotic approach removes the same breast tissue as a conventional mastectomy, while changing how the surgeon accesses the breast. For some patients, breast reconstruction can be performed during the same operation.

This approach is designed to reduce scarring, enhance cosmetic outcomes, preserve the natural skin envelope and nipple, improve sensation and accelerate recovery. For some patients, the less visible incision may also support confidence and body image after surgery. The procedure further expands Cleveland Clinic’s minimally invasive breast surgery options, which include endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy.

“As a field, we haven’t had many new options for patients with breast surgery for a decade now, so we are pleased to now have these minimally invasive procedures available for our patients,” said Dr. Valente. “Innovations like this support a more patient-centered experience as they allow us to address both the physical and emotional realities of breast cancer.”

Nassau, Bahamas, 1 October 2026 – Every Saturday this month, communities across The Bahamas will take steps in support of cancer patients and survivors as CIBC Caribbean’s Walk for the Cure returns to New Providence, Abaco, Eleuthera, and Grand Bahama.

CIBC Caribbean Head of Country, Terrance Gibson, said, “Each Saturday in October represents another community coming together, another opportunity to raise awareness and, most importantly, more support for the organizations that are doing this work every day.”

The month of activities begins this Saturday, October 3, in New Providence, with participants gathering at the Goodman’s Bay Corporate Centre for a 6:30am start.

CIBC Caribbean Walk Champion, Antionette Fox, said the series of walks gives communities across the country an opportunity to contribute to a cause that directly supports Bahamian cancer organizations.

“Every Saturday for the month of October, there will be a walk that you can participate in to contribute towards this worthy cause,” Fox said.

In New Providence, the morning will extend beyond the walk itself, with Zumba, wellness activities, informational vendors, and opportunities for participants to connect with organizations working directly with cancer patients and survivors.

Gennie Dean Caring and Sharing Cancer Support Group President Duquesa Dean said participants do not have to complete the full route to be part of the morning.

“Just come out…there is something for everyone, come for the community,” Dean said. “There’s a survivor ceremony, so come and participate and celebrate the people who have gone through cancer and are here as evidence that you could live after a cancer diagnosis.”

The Gennie Dean Caring and Sharing Cancer Support Group is one of eight cancer organizations in The Bahamas that benefit from funds raised through Walk for the Cure. The others are the Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Groups of New Providence and Grand Bahama, Cancer Society of The Bahamas, the Cancer Societies of Abaco, Eleuthera, and Grand Bahama, and the Cancer Association of Grand Bahama.

Dean explained that CIBC Caribbean covers the cost of staging WFTC, allowing donations raised to support the work of beneficiary organizations.

For her organization, that assistance translates into tangible support for people navigating cancer, including food assistance, financial aid, prosthetic breasts, and mastectomy bras, as well as programs such as Step Into Wellness, which promotes movement and healthy living among cancer patients and survivors.

Corporate partners are also helping to strengthen this year’s effort. Bamboo Shack has joined the initiative as a gold sponsor, with representative Ghandi Pinder sharing that the cause has a personal significance for her.

Pinder recalled shaving her hair in solidarity with her sister after she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer and began losing her hair during chemotherapy.

“We see you, we’re here with you, we’re in it with you,” Pinder said of Bamboo Shack’s message to those affected by cancer.

She also encouraged more of Corporate Bahamas to support initiatives that directly impact the communities they serve.

“At Bamboo Shack, we always say a better Bahamas begins with you… Together, we can make a difference,” she said.

Registration for Walk for the Cure is $30 for adults and $15 for children and can be completed at any CIBC Caribbean branch. CIBC Caribbean clients can also donate through online banking.

The New Providence Walk begins promptly at 6:30am on Saturday, October 3, at the Goodman’s Bay Corporate Centre, followed by Walk for the Cure events in other islands each Saturday throughout October. The Grand Bahama WFTC event will be held on October 10 and the Abaco and Eleuthera WFTC events will occur on October 17 and October 24 respectively.

Gibson added, “Some will walk for themselves, some in celebration of a survivor, and others in memory of someone they have lost. Whatever brings you to Walk for the Cure, every person who shows up becomes part of a much bigger expression of support for those affected by cancer.”