The new orthodontic service expands HSA’s comprehensive dental offering by providing patients with access to braces, clear aligners, and other advanced orthodontic treatments under one roof. The service is designed to make smile correction and bite improvement more accessible to the community.

Orthodontics is a dental speciality focused on diagnosing, preventing and correcting misalignment of the teeth and jaws using braces, clear aligners and other appliances to improve bite, oral health, function and aesthetics. With HSA’s new service, patients can expect individualised treatment plans tailored to their needs, supported by the authority’s full range of dental specialities, including implantology, periodontics, oral medicine, endodontics and maxillofacial surgery. This multidisciplinary approach allows HSA’s dental team to co-manage cases and provide holistic care from diagnosis to completion.

“Our goal is to ensure that everyone, from children to adults, can benefit from professional orthodontic care through the public healthcare system while receiving some of the most advanced orthodontic techniques and technology,” said HSA Orthodontist Dr Shankar Alla. “Whether it’s helping a child correct crowding or an adult seeking improved confidence in their smile, we are committed to delivering the care our patients need.”

The Orthodontic Clinic is conveniently located at the Anthony S. Hospital Dental Clinic, with outreach visits planned for Faith Hospital in Cayman Brac and schools including John Gray High School and Clifton Hunter High School to conduct screenings. Patients will also benefit from HSA’s investment in advanced diagnostic technology, including a 3D cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) machine with 3D printing capabilities. This technology is a type of dental scan that uses a cone-shaped X-ray beam to create detailed 3D images of a patient's teeth, jaw, and surrounding structures, aiming to enhance treatment precision and comfort.

HSA’s orthodontic services include comprehensive orthodontic exams and treatment planning, metal and ceramic braces, clear aligner therapy, early and interceptive orthodontics for children, adult orthodontics, surgical and orthognathic orthodontics, as well as retainers and retention programmes. During an initial consultation patients can expect an assessment and discussion of treatment goals with the orthodontist, followed by diagnostic imaging and impressions. Once the treatment plan is finalised, patients can begin their orthodontic journey with transparent pricing and flexible instalment options.

“Orthodontics has been eagerly anticipated by our community and we are proud to announce that we have listened to their needs and delivered because we want to ensure accessible healthcare for all residents,” said Dr Samuel Williams-Rodriguez, Director of Primary Healthcare Services at HSA. “With this service, we can now provide the community with full-spectrum dental care that supports lifelong oral health and confidence.”

The addition of orthodontic services highlights HSA’s continued commitment to expanding access to specialised care within the Cayman Islands.

Dr. Shankar Alla, MDS, is a specialist in Orthodontics. He earned his Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in Orthodontics from Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences in India, where he was awarded a merit scholarship for his postgraduate studies.

Following the completion of his master's degree, Dr. Alla gained approximately seven years of international clinical experience while serving under the Ministry of Health in the Maldives. During this time, he successfully managed a wide range of complex orthodontic cases, including temporary anchorage device (TAD)-assisted full-arch distalization, impacted canines and other challenging malocclusions requiring comprehensive orthodontic treatment.

Dr Alla is committed to patient education, open communication and compassionate care, ensuring patients remain informed and actively involved throughout their treatment journey. He also prioritises continuous professional development, staying current with advancements in orthodontics and incorporating evidence-based practices into his clinical work.

He is dedicated to delivering high-quality orthodontic and oral healthcare and looks forward to contributing to the HSA while providing exceptional care to the Cayman Islands community.

Patients may book appointments directly through the Anthony S. Eden Dental Clinic at (345) 244-2741 or (345) 244-2742, or by emailing orthodontics@hsa.ky . While dentist referrals are encouraged to ensure overall dental readiness, self-referrals are also accepted.