By Vishani Ragobeer

DIGICEL Guyana yesterday launched their annual back-to-school dental outreach programme in Timehri in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Central Georgetown to promote good oral health among children.

This outreach programme, which has been an annual event for some six years now, began yesterday and will continue on weekdays until September 1, according to Digicel Communications Manager, Vidya Sanichara.

The programme will be offering free dental services to youths in various locations which are provided by the Rotary team, using the fully-equipped dental bus.

She also noted that this programme began at Timehri, but will be expanding to six other locations, namely: Berbice, Essequibo, Mahaica, Hararununi (Soesdyke/Linden Highway), Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo and finally culminating grandly in Georgetown at the National Cultural Centre tarmac.

Sanichara said that some 80-100 youths are being targeted at each of the various locations. However, the team is well-equipped to accommodate many more youths if they turn out.

This outreach comes through Digicel’s acknowledgement of its corporate responsibility for giving back to the community. In addition to providing free dental services to the youths, each youth will benefit from a back-to-school package and a dental kit from the Rotary Club.

The Communications Manager also said that over the years the number of persons attending these outreach programmes are increasing and as a result she feels that this is a programme which really “hits home”, especially for the persons living in out-of-town areas and those who may not necessarily be able to afford dental services.

A parent yesterday also spoke about the Dental Care Services being provided to her child. The parent, Ms. Odessa Pollard said that this is very “convenient” for her and for persons like her who live in Timehri, “instead of travelling to Georgetown.”