December 3 is the United Nations International Day for Persons with Disabilities. The Freedom Come Rain newspaper celebrates all persons so regarded. We love you and pray that in all that you do, and with all that you have, you will trust God.
This week, we highlight the story of Brittani Harris, an ardent medical student at the University of the West Indies, Mona. With less than a year from graduation, Brittani’s deepest aspiration is to serve the special needs community as a dentist.
She writes…
My desire to pursue dentistry began long before university or having a greater understanding of what dentistry entails. As a child, I looked forward to my dental appointments with curiosity. I found the dental instruments, equipment, and chairs fascinating. My dentists were attentive and warm and were interested in me as a person, not just a patient. As I got older, I learnt that my experience was not typical. Friends and family shared tales of feeling anxious or misunderstood, and that stayed with me.
By high school I decided that dentistry was the career for me. I decided to be the kind of practitioner who could provide the same positive and reassuring care that I received.
Studying dentistry has deepened my calling in ways I did not expect. The programme has challenged me both academically and clinically, and it has allowed me to grow. I have seen inequality that I feel compelled to address. During required coursework in sign language classes and public health, my awareness of disparities in access to healthcare was broadened. I learnt just how much communication barriers, socioeconomic status, education level, geographic location, and disability all influence whether a person receives adequate oral care. Oral health is an issue of equity, policy, and community support, and not just an individual responsibility supported by dental professionals.
My journey at UWI Mona has not been without major setbacks. Heavy financial obligations and administrative hiccups have made things more strenuous than I anticipated, but I have held faith that what I was urged to start will be completed.
My trust in God has helped me to stay grounded and keep my mind on the greater purpose of my schooling. The most encouraging and fulfilling element of it all has been the clinical aspect of working with patients. Though it was always my wish to get to this stage, I was nervous at first, but interacting with people and helping them improve their health (whether it be on outreaches or in a clinical setting at school) has been mostly gratifying and energising, imbuing me with hope when the way forward doesn’t seem bright.
The next step is a master’s degree in public health, and my long-term goal is to advocate for and aid in the implementation of strategies that improve the oral health landscape of the nation.
My vision is to contribute to national programmes with an emphasis on prevention and work on initiatives that support those with special needs (such as the deaf community and those with developmental challenges), who face even greater obstacles in accessing adequate dental care. These populations often don’t have access to care in the way the general population does, as they aren’t able to communicate effectively, or at all, with their healthcare providers.
As a student, I pride myself on being empathetic, resourceful, persevering, and willing to help others. I genuinely strive to assist my fellow classmates as much as they help me, and I provide guidance for younger students based on my experience in the programme. These qualities fuel my commitment to be a dentist that not only treats patients but also advocates for a healthier and more equitable Jamaica.