Dear HAS Community,
At Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti, we believe comprehensive healthcare includes every aspect of a person’s well-being, including oral health. The opening of our new dental clinic is an important step in expanding the care available to the more than 500,000 people we serve each year. More than the addition of another service, the clinic reflects our ongoing commitment to strengthening patient care and responding to the changing healthcare needs of our communities.
This achievement was made possible through months of planning and preparation led by Dr. Jovany Jean and her team. After joining HAS, Dr. Jean evaluated the equipment already available at the hospital and identified the additional instruments needed to establish the clinic. A clinical space was prepared, new equipment was purchased, and a nurse was recruited to support the practice. Every step of the process was focused on creating a welcoming environment where patients could receive high-quality dental care close to home.
The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. Community members had eagerly anticipated the arrival of dental services, and excitement spread quickly once the clinic opened its doors. For many families, the opening of the clinic represents more than a convenient new service. It means having access to dental care that was previously difficult or impossible to obtain because of cost, distance, and limited availability. For Dr. Jean and her team, seeing the first patients receive care was a rewarding moment after months of planning and preparation.
“It has been a great joy for me to see members of the community finally receiving dental care at the hospital,” said Dr. Jean. “Knowing how important these services are for people’s overall health and well-being makes this moment especially rewarding.”
Access to dental care remains a significant challenge for many people in the Artibonite Valley. Treatment elsewhere is often expensive, transportation costs can be prohibitive, and ongoing insecurity has made travel increasingly difficult. As a result, many patients delay treatment until dental problems become painful or lead to more serious complications. By offering dental care at HAS free of charge, we are removing one of the greatest barriers that has prevented patients from receiving the care they need.
The clinic offers a wide range of preventive and restorative services, including dental cleanings, restorations, extractions, dental X-rays, scaling and root planing, and gingivectomy procedures. Preventive cleanings and restorative care are among the services patients need most, helping address concerns before they become more severe. Education is also a central part of the clinic’s mission, giving patients the knowledge and tools to care for their oral health long after they leave the dental chair.
Good oral health is about much more than a healthy smile. Untreated dental disease can contribute to pain, infection, poor nutrition, and other serious health complications. By expanding access to dental care, HAS can help patients receive treatment earlier while emphasizing prevention and education. Helping patients understand the importance of oral hygiene and routine dental care is just as important as treating the conditions they face today. Our goal is not only to relieve pain but also to help patients maintain healthier lives for years to come.
The opening of the dental clinic also reflects the broader approach to healthcare that has guided HAS for nearly 70 years. Alongside hospital services, community health programs, maternal and child health initiatives, mobile clinics, and outreach efforts, the dental clinic strengthens our ability to provide comprehensive care that responds to the evolving needs of the communities we serve. It also reinforces a simple but important belief: health does not begin and end at the hospital door. Patients need access to services that support their full well-being, prevent future illness, and help families remain healthier over time.
As the clinic grows, Dr. Jean and her team hope to continue expanding the range of dental services available at HAS. This growth will allow more patients to receive care close to home and will help the clinic respond to the needs that emerge as more community members begin using the service. Like many programs at HAS, the dental clinic is expected to develop over time as the team learns from patients, identifies additional needs, and strengthens the care available through the hospital.
I am grateful to Dr. Jovany Jean and her team for the dedication they have shown in bringing this new service to our patients. The opening of the dental clinic reflects what Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti has always sought to do: respond to the needs of our communities with compassionate, high-quality care. I look forward to seeing the lives this clinic will touch in the years ahead.
Sincerely,
Dr. Faustin Charles
CMO
