New School Dental Clinic opens, offers free care for children

May 22, 2025 10:06 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

Compiled by Ezra Toara.

Vanua Leadership College and Pikinini Playtime officially opened their long-anticipated School Dental Clinic yesterday, 22 May, in a ceremony attended by sponsors, stakeholders, parents, and students.

The clinic will provide free dental care and hygiene services to students and young children, supporting healthier, brighter futures for learners. It represents a valuable investment in children’s health and education, reinforcing the connection between well-being and academic success.

The new facility was made possible through the support of the Rotary Club and Kiwanis, whose swift and generous contributions helped bring the project to life. Pikinini Playtime Business Manager Tony Batten shared the journey, saying, “Within 24 hours Rotary had agreed to the proposal and the project was underway. To all of you within Rotary, you have done an outstanding job! Your selfless service and commitment to assisting this country is to be commended.”

He also thanked Kiwanis for their years of support and assistance with clinic consumables, describing their generosity as “exceptional.”

Special thanks were also extended to the Ministry of Health, with particular appreciation to Director General (DG) Shirley Tokon for her personal involvement in ensuring the clinic could proceed despite bureaucratic challenges. DG Tokon’s role shows the value of collaborative efforts in improving access to health care for children across Vanuatu. As she noted in her recent Health Week speech, health is everyone’s business—and yesterday’s event brought that message to life.

The clinic will be fully operational starting next week and staffed by volunteer dentists offering routine check-ups, treatments, and hygiene education. This is expected to greatly reduce school absenteeism caused by dental pain or infections, allowing students to concentrate more fully on their studies. It also serves as an example of how partnerships in public health and education can work in practice.

As Mr. Batten concluded, “When you see smiling children in Port Vila, it is highly likely that you have contributed to keeping that smile on that child’s face by providing them with free dental care.”

The launch of the School Dental Clinic marks a proud moment for the school community—a clear example of what can be achieved through shared purpose and cooperation.