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.)

By Deandrea Hamilton

The Cassandra I remember never backed down from a fight.

She had an effervescent personality and was fiercely committed to her family—and that included her church and her friends. She deeply appreciated the people God had given her, drawing on their love and support to push through circumstances no child, no teenager, should have to face.

Today, voters in a country far from where she grew up have trusted her to champion more accessible communities and better responses to people facing mental health and developmental challenges.

It speaks volumes about what happens when we believe in our children. When we refuse to set limits on who they can become, regardless of how they started. When we recognize God’s hand on their lives and support their ability to contribute and make an impact, wherever He places them.

Cassandra Toussaint is now councilwoman-elect for Ward 1 in Avon, Indiana, after defeating Republican Doug Elmore in the November 3 election. She ran as a Democrat. (youarecurrent.com)

Of Haitian heritage, she grew up in Turks and Caicos, attending Oseta Jolly, briefly Maranatha, and then TCIPS.

Her connections remain strong: friends, family and Lady Turks Gift Shop, a boutique venture she created with her best friend, Novie, from an idea they shared as teenagers.

Her family includes her father, Eliezer Toussaint, and her brother, Stoycov Toussaint, who graduated from Indiana University. Stephane Ambroise is playing basketball in Canada. Her mother, Ertha Etienne, died when Cassandra and her siblings were children.

In Turks and Caicos, her cousins Brenda, Steven, Lendcy and Sarah Cenary are, she says, successful and passionate about helping young people and giving back to their community.  Their mother, her aunt Rose Philomene Cenary, has worked in the Islands’ hotel industry for years and holds a special place in Cassandra’s heart.

“My aunt is the glue of my family,” Cassandra said, describing her love for the family and how she has always done her best to support them all.

A registered behavior technician, Toussaint says her childhood experiences inspired her to advocate for children who feel misunderstood.

Her campaign priorities included improved roads, accessible parks and facilities, and police training to better recognize and respond to autism and intellectual disabilities.

With limited money and little preparation time, she took her campaign directly to residents, knocking on doors and connecting at community events.

“Every resident deserves to be met with understanding,” she wrote.

The young woman I remember is preparing to bring that conviction into public office.

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (November 6th, 2026) – The Turks and Caicos Islands welcomes Porter Airlines as it begins its service to the destination with its inaugural Toronto (YYZ) to Providenciales (PLS) route on Friday, November 6th.  The airline will service the route five times weekly from the Toronto Pearson International Airport.

On December 17th, Porter will launch its Ottawa to PLS flight, a new route for the Turks and Caicos Islands. That route will be serviced twice weekly from Ottawa International Airport (YOW).

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly said the expansion of air service from Canada reflects the growing strength of that market to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“Canada is showing strong and growing interest in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and we are pleased to see that reflected in the expansion of air service from the market. Porter Airlines’ new nonstop flights from Toronto and Ottawa strengthen our connectivity with Canada and give travellers more convenient options for reaching our islands. Canadians have always shown a genuine appreciation for the culture, heritage, natural beauty and, of course, the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Perhaps it is that shared warmth and friendliness that keeps bringing them back, and our partnership with Porter will simply make it easier for Canadians to continue showing their love for our Beautiful by Nature islands. Toronto builds on an important existing market for us, while Ottawa opens an entirely new gateway to the Turks and Caicos Islands. This increased access will make it easier for more Canadians to discover and enjoy our destination, while supporting the continued growth of this important market.”

Hon. Arlington Musgrove, minister responsible for aviation, Turks and Caicos commended his team at the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) for developing this relationship with Porter.

“The launch of Porter Airlines’ new services from Toronto and Ottawa to the Turks and Caicos Islands is another important milestone in strengthening our connectivity with the Canadian market. Canada remains an important source market for our tourism industry, and these new routes will give Canadians more choice and easier access to the warmth, beauty, and hospitality of the Turks and Caicos Islands. I commend the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority for leading this initiative and for its continued efforts to develop air service and build strong relationships with our airline partners. I also extend our sincere appreciation to Porter Airlines for its confidence in the Turks and Caicos Islands and for choosing our destination as part of its growing network of sun destinations. We warmly welcome Porter, its passengers and crew to our shores and look forward to a successful and lasting partnership,” he said.

To celebrate and promote the new flights, Experience Turks and Caicos hosted a reception in Ottawa for travel advisors and media. Organised by VoX International, our marketing agency in Canada, the event featured remarks by Market Intelligence Manager, Sharissa Lightbourne and Chairman of the TCIAA, Dwayne Gardiner. Nikeva Ariza, Director of Corporate Affairs, Communications and Public Engagement was also in attendance.

The new flights are operated by Porter’s 132-seat Embraer E195-E2. The aircraft features a two-by-two seating configuration, meaning no middle seats for any passenger. Porter’s elevated onboard experience includes complimentary beer and wine served in glassware, premium Canadian snacks, and free, fast WiFi for every passenger.

To book your flight, visit www.flyporter.com.