AS part of the oral health education strategy of the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Human Services and Gender Relations, a primary schools spelling bee, spearheaded by the ministry’s dental department, has been organized for schools around the island.
Senior Dental Surgeon at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Sherry Ephraim-Le Compte, said the objective of the activity is to broaden the mindset of the youth on oral care and dentistry.
“It also serves to augment the students’ vocabulary which allows them to understand the jargon and technical terms used on a day to day basis in the dental field.” Le Compte said.
Le Compte added: “History has proven time and time again that Saint Lucia has exceptional spellers in the primary schools. Last year’s competition was proof as the students spelled nearly all of the words correctly. We had to go into our reserve words to serve as tie breakers on more than one occasion. This year we have decided to include the reserve words from the start so the competition can be more competitive.”
Colgate’s Accounts Manager, Elizabeth Cumberbatch, said oral health is the core of Colgate’s business. As such Colgate takes an active role in supporting oral health activities locally, regionally and internationally.
“This is our fifth year sponsoring this activity and it has proven year after year that it is getting bigger and better. We can see it in the numbers, we can see it in the participation of the students. We can see how excited the students are.”
Colgate and Peter and Company are the main sponsors the competition which is now into its fith year. Le Compte acknowledged the sponsors for their unflinching support.
“The fact that we keep coming back means the organizers must be doing something very, very right,” said Chanelle Bailey, representative for Peter and Company and Paradise Water. “Just think about it for a moment – the powerful impact of empowering a young mind, that kind of empowerment is a skill that lasts a lifetime. That skill benefits not just the child as a child but the child as they grow up, the schools, potential employers, our island and beyond. The importance and obvious connection of these two brands Colgate and Paradise Water to the theme for this year – Celebrating Healthy Smiles – cannot go unnoticed.”
Preliminary rounds of the Colgate National Spelling Bee Competition takes place throughout the month of November with the finals and prize giving ceremony scheduled for early December.