Neil and Sheila Stephen, a dedicated couple from the United Kingdom, have been visiting Saint Lucia for the past eighteen years as part of their regular vacations at Sandals resorts. However, their trips are not just about relaxation – the couple takes time each year to give back to the community by imparting valuable oral hygiene education to the island’s primary school students.
Neil, a dentist by profession, has witnessed first-hand the widespread need for improved dental care on the island. Through their educational outreach, Neil and Sheila aim to raise awareness about proper dental hygiene practices and prevent the need for reactive measures.
Neil believes that by focusing on primary school students – the age when permanent teeth are beginning to set in – they can learn the proper techniques for caring for their teeth and pass that knowledge along to their families and communities.
“Our goal is to empower children with the knowledge to take care of their teeth for life,” said Neil Stephen. “By educating them early on, we hope to help the next generation enjoy brighter smiles for years to come.”
This year, Neil and Sheila’s efforts were further strengthened through a partnership with Colgate UK, which provided over 500 eco-friendly toothbrushes to distribute to the children they visited.
During their 2025 visit, the couple reached nine schools across Saint Lucia, including: Dame Pearlette Louisy Primary, Morne Du Don Primary, Gordon and Walcott Memorial, Babonneau Primary, Grande Riviere Primary, Forestierre Combined, Boguis Combined, Balata Primary, and Ciceron Primary.
“We are incredibly grateful to Colgate UK for their generous contribution,” said Sheila Stephen. “These toothbrushes will help ensure that the children not only learn the importance of oral hygiene but also have the tools they need to practice it daily.”
Neil and Sheila hope to continue to inspire others to get involved in improving the well-being of Saint Lucia’s communities.
