Former ward of the state achieves dentistry career goal

In a tale of perseverance and determination, former ward of the State, Dr Kemar Henry, has defied the odds to fulfil his dream of becoming a dentist.

The 29-year-old practitioner achieved this after pursuing the Doctor of Medical Dentistry programme at the University of Technology, Jamaica, which he enrolled in after completing his secondary education at Titchfield High School in Portland.

Henry completed the programme in November 2024, graduated with honours and now operates a dental practice in Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth, where his clientele base is growing.

Born prematurely to his 14-year-old mother, Henry says he was adopted at four months old by a Mrs. Philpotts, who lovingly cared for him despite his early health challenges.

"I was sickly. Every single week she had to carry me to the hospital, back and forth, in Kingston, due to conditions that I had," he tells JIS News.

He eventually overcame most of the health issues and was able to lead a healthy life.

Henry acknowledges the emotional challenges he experienced as a ward of the State, particularly at school.

"It was difficult relating to other students. I always used to see students bringing their mother or father to career day and for a lot of different activities in their lives; their extended families would be involved, and I never really had that," he recounts.

However, with the support of the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), Dr. Henry was able to overcome these challenges.

"I was able to understand that, just because I don't have that, personally, it [didn't] mean that I [was] less [of a person] than [anyone else]," he says.

Henry tells JIS News that the journey along his chosen career path was inspired by a dental nurse he met at his church, Port Antonio Baptist.

"After I got the influence from the dental nurse, I said to myself that, 'I want to be a dentist. I don't know how I'm going to do it, how I'm going to finance it; I don't know how the road will be, but I'm going to do it'," he recounts.

Pooled resources from the CPFSA and the Education Ministry, as well as scholarships awarded by Children of Jamaica Outreach and other entities covered his tuition fees at UTech. Sadly, his foster parent, Mrs. Philpotts, died during his second year of study.

Henry tells JIS News that he commenced preparing for the opening of his practice long before completing dentistry school.

He recalls that during his second year of study, he began searching for online jobs to assist with personal needs.

The jobs Henry undertook included teaching English to foreign students. In addition, he offered video-editing services to clients globally.

He says the payments received enabled him to initially purchase a small instrument to carry out his work, "until I could buy the larger equipment".

Henry, who indicates that "I did not know that I would reach to this point", hails the CPFSA for standing by him throughout his educational journey.

"Each and every time I had to go to school or go to the doctor, my officer from Port Antonio would actually be there," he gratefully acknowledges.

Henry, who emphasises the importance of proper dental care, says he is eager to offer dental services to wards of the State at heavily discounted rates.

"I've already submitted a proposal to the CPFSA about it and they are in the process of reviewing it," he informs.

Meanwhile, Dr. Henry commends the CPFSA, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, for its transformative role in the lives of many Jamaican children.

"I see where they have helped so many different individuals who were in positions like myself, and positions that were worse than mine. They are doing an extraordinary job," he says.

- JIS

We want to hear from you! Email us at star@gleanerjm.com and follow @thejamaicastar on Instagram and on X @JamaicaStar and on Facebook: @TheJamaicaStar