As western Jamaica rebuilds in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, a New York– and Jamaica-based dental and surgical practice is mobilizing critical health support for affected communities.
Emirates Facial & Dental Implant Center (EFDIC), led by board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Dwight Williams, will host a three-day medical and dental mission in Little London, Westmoreland, from December 17 to 20, 2025.
The mission will deliver a wide range of services, including emergency dental services, diabetes screening, wound care, mental-health first aid, child therapy sessions, and patient education on hypertension and diabetes. The initiative is supported by a network of international and local partners.
EFDIC Chief Financial Officer Morvia Reid Williams, who spearheaded the mission, said the effort is driven by empathy and a commitment to communities struggling to recover.
“Dr. Williams and I felt compelled to support Little London and surrounding areas,” Reid Williams said. “We want residents to know they are seen, heard, and supported during this difficult time.”
She noted that the mission is deeply personal for the family. Little London is Dr. Williams’ childhood home, and firsthand accounts from relatives and friends highlighted urgent needs, including food shortages, limited access to health care, and growing mental-health challenges.
Reid Williams said the couple has extensive experience in humanitarian work, having coordinated dental missions for more than a decade through the United Mission of Goodwill.
The medical team traveling to Jamaica will be led by Dr. Leesa Schaaffee of Giving JA, while emergency dental services will be overseen by Dr. Jodiann Manderson and the EFDIC team. Both teams have been actively assisting communities since the hurricane struck.
Additional support is being provided by organizations in Jamaica and the United States, including United Mission of Goodwill, Caribbean Girls Dream of Hope, Walker Contractor, JamPsych, and the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Volunteers from New York will also arrive with essential medical and relief supplies.
Beyond physical care, organizers emphasized the importance of addressing emotional recovery following the disaster.
“The psychological impact has been severe,” Reid Williams said. “From children to the elderly, many are coping with profound loss and trauma.”
As recovery efforts continue, she said the mission reflects a collective commitment to healing and solidarity.
“One Love. One Heart. One Jamaica,” she said.