The Story of IRIE

Irie Outreach was born out of a longstanding need identified by the community of Steertown Jamaica. A dental clinic.

This vibrant, pride-filled community located 15 miles west of Ocho Rios is filled with inspiring stories and even more remarkable people who own those stories. We are a small team, comprised of Steertown residents and US-based dentists and volunteers that are working to provide a solution for dental services and education to a community that would otherwise do without. The average monthly salary in Steertown and surrounding communities, is approximately $200 USD, while the cost of dental treatment is fairly comparable to that in the United States. Our team members have been serving Steertown and neighboring parishes for nearly 20 years, and are committed to addressing this need and advancing the health of its residents.

Here’s the thing though…it takes a lot to operate a dental clinic.

The cost of supplies, materials, and equipment currently dictate the level of dental services Irie Outreach can provide. While the goal is to afford a broad range of patient options, our current clinical offerings are limited. Our immediate goal has been to get patients out of pain, through surgical extractions, and eliminate infection that would otherwise cause potentially life-threatening conditions. We also provide preventative cleanings and fluoride treatments for children and at-risk adults. Supplies and funds however, for fillings, root canals, and additional dental equipment are of the most immediate need, and our goal offering for the clinic in 2020.

We launched Irie Outreach because we acknowledge that the need is great, and is more than any one of us can independently satisfy. It’s need arose from a community and it will take an even larger one to ensure its success. We invite you to be part of that community.

Pictured below, the Grace Community Center, host to the Irie Outreach dental clinic.