The Helping Hands Dental Clinic has returned once again to serve the needs of the Greater Treasure Beach Community
We first met Dr. James Carney and his dedicated team of dental volunteers in 2019 during one of their many missions to Jamaica. As a member of the Christian Dental Society (CDS), Dr. Carney has felt a profound calling to provide dental care in Jamaica in Christ’s name since 1994. Over the past thirty years, he and his committed volunteers have delivered free dental services across the island, reaching those in need from coast to coast.
Since 2001, Dr. Carney and his Helping Hands Dental Clinic have become vital members of the Greater Treasure Beach community. After partnering with Pastor Rowe and family from the St. John CME Church in Pondside, they established a dental clinic that currently houses eight dental chairs, with plans to expand to a total of eighteen. This expansion will allow the clinic to function more efficiently and minimize reliance on portable equipment in the adjacent church.
Comprehensive Dental Care
The Helping Hands Dental Clinic brings together a diverse team of dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, and students, along with non-dental personnel. Together, they offer a comprehensive range of services, including x-rays, cleanings, fillings, extractions, and dentures crafted by a specialist from Cambridge. Their mission is clear: to share God’s love through the gift of free dental care, particularly in underserved areas.
Dr. Carney states, “We bring dental students from around the country to serve and their enthusiasm makes those trips most enjoyable. To date I personally have been on over one hundred dental mission trips to Jamaica, and many other people have come down several times to serve. We have also hosted teams from the Jamaican dental and dental hygiene schools which were great experiences all around.”
A Lasting Impact
The Greater Treasure Beach community is fortunate to have Dr. Carney and his Helping Hands Dental Clinic providing this essential service. Dr. Carney’s entire family shares his commitment to dentistry. His wife, also a dentist, has been involved in this ministry from the start, and they have brought their daughters on annual trips since they were very young. Both have since become dentists and married dentists, creating a complete dental family dedicated to service.
Dr. Carney notes, “The community of Treasure Beach has been so gracious and we love coming to serve here. Pastor Gloria Rowe facilitates not only the construction of the clinic but also the ongoing operation and she and her family are an integral part of the team. Many villas have also partnered with us and been generous to our teams. Our goal is to share God’s love through the gift of free dental care.”
Over the years, Dr. Carney and his team have become an essential part of the community, demonstrating compassion and making a significant impact on local health. Their unwavering commitment to service not only alleviates dental pain but also fosters a spirit of unity and care throughout the region.
The Helping Hands Dental Clinic will be offering dental services from Monday, September 23rd to Thursday, September 26th.
