Members of the Grenada Government say they are delighted with a program of dental care currently being undertaken nationwide by a group of professionals from the United States.
 
 The 46-member team from New York University (NYU) College of Dentistry has been administering free care, such as extractions, fillings, root canals and reconstructive surgery to hundreds of Grenadians – mostly children and the elderly.
 
 “This is wonderful program for which all of us in government are extremely grateful for,’’ Foreign Affairs Minister Peter David said Tuesday during a visit to the Tivoli Medical Clinic, where the NYU professionals were attending.
 
 “As a government, we would like to thank NYU and all the sponsors of the program, as well as members of Concerned Grenadians in New York.’’
 
 Minister David was accompanied on the visit to Tivoli by Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Officer, Senator Arley Gill, and Grenada’s Consul General in New York, Hon. Derrick James.
 
 The NYU delegation – including Project Manager, Grenada-born Gracelyn Bubb-Harris – has also met with Health Minister Senator Ann Peters, and Minister of Education and Human Resource Development, Senator Franka Alexis-Bernardine.
 
 Both Senators Peters and Bernardine have expressed their appreciation to NYU for embarking on the project, which complements the concept of primary health care that has been promoted by Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas’ government which was elected to office in July 2008.
 
 The program, whose major sponsor is Henry Schein Cares Global Dental Outreach Project, also received financial backing from PETNA, a U.S.-based foundation operated by Grenada-born Nicholas Earle Brathwaite and his wife, Janice.
 
 Apart from treating patients, the dental practitioners are also conducting an assessment of oral health among Grenadian students.
 
 Project Director Dr. Stuart Hirsch, and Survey Director Dr. Mark Wolff, told journalists on Tuesday that initial assessment indicated a high level of cavity and tooth decay among children.
 
 The NYU dental team is encouraging schools to implement a daily tooth-brushing program in their classrooms.
 
 The itinerary for the visiting team also includes providing tips to parents and patients on the importance of proper oral hygiene, offering dental education advice to local dentists, and conducting a lecture for aspiring dental students and allied professionals.
 
 This is the first phase of an NYU dental program that is expected to run annually for four years.