1000 Smiles Clinic has served over 3,500 residents in its first Antigua mission, a Sandals Foundation press release said.

In just two weeks, the volunteer program coordinated with the Ministry of Health delivered free dental care and education. Consequently, 3,575 residents received treatment and guidance.

Moreover, 121 dental volunteers from the United States and Canada provided more than 8,000 individual services. These included cleanings, extractions, fillings, restorative care, urgent treatments, and more.

“Everywhere we go, the need is great, but these two weeks in Antigua were especially powerful,” said Joseph “Papa Joe” Wright, Founder of Great Shape! Inc. He added that the response reminded volunteers why their work matters — relieving pain, restoring dignity, and giving people reason to smile again.

Furthermore, the clinic’s scale was transformational. On an island of 100,000 residents, Wright said the outreach had island-wide impact. “It was as if every resident either received a service or knew someone who did,” he explained.

Preventative care also featured heavily in the program. Nearly 3,000 children across 10 schools received oral health education. In addition, volunteers distributed over 7,000 toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, and floss to reinforce healthy habits long after the clinics ended.

For Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at Sandals Foundation, “This Antigua staging showed what is possible when trusted partners come together for community health. We are grateful to the Ministry of Health, Sandals Grande Antigua, and our army of volunteers who brought essential services to families across the island.”

All logistics, administrative costs, and volunteer support were covered by the Sandals Foundation. Accommodations were provided by Sandals Resorts, allowing dental professionals to focus entirely on patient care.

Finally, Antigua now joins Jamaica, Turks and Caicos, Grenada, The Bahamas, and Saint Lucia in benefiting from the Great Shape! Inc dental missions.

Overall, the Antigua clinic demonstrated the power of collaboration. It not only treated thousands but also educated the community, leaving a lasting impact on oral health island-wide.