References

St Helena Government. Statistical Bulletin No. 4, 2023. 2023. https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/230327_StatsBulletin_04_2023_Health.pdf (accessed December 2024)
Saint Helena Island Info. Health issues. Problems in a small, isolated population. http://sainthelenaisland.info/health.htm#whathealthissues (accessed December 2024)
Mohamed K, Yates J, Roberts A Diabetes mellitus: considerations for the dental practitioner. Dent Update. 2014; 41:144-154 https://doi.org/10.12968/denu.2014.41.2.144
Casanova L, Hughes FJ, Preshaw PM Diabetes and periodontal disease: a two-way relationship. Br Dent J. 2014; 217:433-437 https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2014.907

Saint Helena: remote island dentistry

From Volume 52, Issue 1, January 2025 | Pages 7-10

Authors

Glen Ward

BDS, BSc, General Dental Practitioner

Articles by Glen Ward

Email Glen Ward

Article

After a varied career as a military dental technician/maxillofacial technologist/dentist in the NHS and independent locum, I jumped at the unique opportunity of a 6-month contract with the Saint Helena Government to provide dental care to the general island population. Dentist contracts on Saint Helena can last weeks, months, or several years depending on requirement and availability of the dentist. My decision for 6 months was based on personal circumstances with the option of returning on an ad hoc basis, if required.

Saint Helena is a volcanic, subtropical island located in the south Atlantic ocean, 4928 miles from the UK. It lies between Brazil and Africa with the closest land fall 1165 nautical miles away in Angola. The island is best known as the location of Napoleon's final exile after defeat at the battle of Waterloo in 1815. Or for its record-breaking eldest resident, Jonathan, the 192-year-old giant tortoise, who arrived from the Seychelles in 1882. The currency on Saint Helena is the pound, which is interchangeable with the British pound sterling (Figure 1).

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Dental Update and reading some of our resources. To read more, please register today. You’ll enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Up to 2 free articles per month
  • New content available