Dr Kemar Henry rises from struggle to dental success

Dr Kemar Henry, a former ward of the State, has defied the odds to achieve his lifelong dream of becoming a dentist.

His journey, marked by challenges and triumphs, stands as an inspiring testament to determination and the power of support. Henry, now 29, successfully completed the doctor of medical dentistry programme at the University of Technology, Jamaica, following his secondary education at Titchfield High School in Portland. Graduating with honours in November 2024, he now operates a thriving dental practice in Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth, where his patient base continues to expand.

Born prematurely to a 14-year-old mother, Henry faced significant health challenges from infancy. At just four months old, he was adopted by Mrs Philpotts, who lovingly cared for him despite his fragile health.

"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 shares with JIS News. However, with time, he overcame most of these health issues and was able to lead a healthy and active life. Growing up as a ward of the State presented emotional challenges, particularly at school, where he struggled with feelings of isolation.

"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 recalls.

With the unwavering support of the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), Henry found the strength to push through 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.

His passion for dentistry was sparked by a dental nurse he met at his church, Port Antonio Baptist. Inspired by her work, he set his sights on becoming a dentist, despite being uncertain about how he would finance his studies.

"After I got the influence from the dental nurse, I said to myself, '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.

With financial assistance from the CPFSA, the Ministry of Education, and scholarships from organisations like Children of Jamaica Outreach, Henry was able to pursue his studies. Tragically, during his second year at UTech, his beloved foster parent passed away. Despite the heartbreak, he remained focused on his goal.

Even before graduating, Henry took steps to prepare for his future practice. While in his second year, he sought online jobs to support himself, teaching English to foreign students and offering video-editing services. The income he earned helped him purchase his first dental instrument, a stepping stone to acquiring larger equipment and eventually establishing his own practice.

"I did not know that I would reach to this point," he admits, expressing deep gratitude to the CPFSA for their continued support.

"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 acknowledges with appreciation.

Determined to give back, Henry is committed to providing dental services to wards of the State at significantly reduced rates.

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