Faith Hospital Enhances Dental Care with Cayman Brac’s First Cone Beam CT Scanner

Patients in Cayman Brac can now benefit from advanced dental diagnostics closer to home, as a result of the installation of a new cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanner at Faith Hospital, the first of its kind on the island.

The cutting-edge dental imaging system provides high-resolution 3D scans of the oral and maxillofacial region, allowing for more accurate and efficient treatment planning for a variety of dental procedures. Previously, patients in Cayman Brac requiring this level of imaging had to travel to Grand Cayman, despite the scan itself taking only about five minutes.

“This addition marks a major step forward in our ongoing effort to modernise and expand healthcare services at Faith Hospital,” said Dr Srirangan Velusamy, Director of Sister Islands Health Services. “Improvements like this take time and resources, but the Health Services Authority (HSA) remains committed to steadily enhancing the quality of care available to the people of Cayman Brac. Each new service introduced is one less reason for our residents to travel off-island for basic and even advanced medical needs.”

The CBCT scanner is a major upgrade in diagnostic capability and will be used for both children and adults. It is particularly beneficial for planning complex procedures such as dental implants, wisdom tooth extractions, difficult root canal treatments, and for diagnosing maxillofacial fractures and pathology. The 3D colour images and panoramic view of the oral cavity provide greater clarity and precision than traditional 2D X-rays.

“Dentistry has evolved significantly over the years, and this technology brings us in line with international best practices,” said Dr Shogan Govender, Chief Dental Officer of HSA. “The cone beam CT scanner not only supports better clinical decision-making but opens up treatment options that were previously not accessible in Cayman Brac. It also uses a lower dose of radiation compared to traditional CT scans and offers faster scan times, which is safer and more comfortable for patients.”

The HSA currently has two CBCT scanners in Grand Cayman - one at the Main Dental Clinic and one at the Merren Dental Clinic - making the addition in Cayman Brac a welcome expansion of its dental imaging network across the islands.

This development highlights the HSA’s mission to provide patient-centred, evidence-based care throughout the Cayman Islands, ensuring that residents in all districts and Sister Islands have access to the same standard of modern, reliable healthcare.