Three generations of dentists
Short answer: Smile Works DentaSpa was founded in 2008 by Dr. Alida D. Jagdeo, a third-generation dental surgeon. Her grandfather Dr. Augustine Jagdeo qualified in 1950 and her father Dr. Anthony D. Jagdeo followed him, so a Jagdeo has practised dentistry since the 1950s. The practice offers implants, sedation dentistry, digital dentistry, short-term orthodontics and facial aesthetics.
Very few families in Trinidad have been doing the same work since the 1950s, and fewer still have carried it through three generations. That continuity is the most important thing about us, because of what it forces us to be.
A practice built by three generations
It begins with Dr. Augustine Jagdeo, who trained at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in San Francisco and qualified in 1950. His son Dr. Anthony D. Jagdeo followed him into dentistry, graduating in 1972, and today his daughter Dr. Alida D. Jagdeo is the third generation — she founded Smile Works DentaSpa in 2008, which is where that line continues.
We can put dates on it because the family kept the books and the photographs.
Dr. Augustine Jagdeo — the first generation.
His son Dr. Anthony D. Jagdeo graduated in 1972 — the second generation, and the reason the third one exists. Dr. Alida spent her afternoons in his practice as a child, and it was watching him work that decided her.
Three-quarters of a century after the first of them qualified, his granddaughter is doing the same work — with rather better instruments.
Three generations in the same community changes how a practice behaves. We are not passing through. Many of our patients were treated here as children by Dr. Anthony, and now bring their own children to Dr. Alida. When you have watched families grow up in your chair, the incentive to sell somebody work they do not need disappears entirely — which is precisely why we are comfortable offering free second opinions on anyone else's treatment plan.
What has changed is the dentistry. What began as a local practice now offers implant placement, minimal conscious sedation, digital dentistry, short-term orthodontics, laser gum treatment and facial aesthetics. The premises are built around comfort — a living green wall, a coffee and tea bar, and screens mounted on the ceiling so you have something to watch while you lie back.
Dr. Alida D. Jagdeo
Dr. Alida D. Jagdeo — Dental Surgeon, and the third generation of her family to practise dentistry.
As a child she went to her father's practice after school, and it was there she decided what she wanted to do — not only because of the dentistry itself, but because of what she watched him do for people in pain.
She graduated with a BSc in Biology, with a double minor in Mathematics and Chemistry, from St. Andrew's University in 2000, and went on to earn her Doctor of Dental Surgery at The University of the West Indies, Trinidad. She has since become certified in a range of postgraduate specialties, including:
- Implant Placement
- Minimal Conscious Sedation Dentistry
- Digital Dentistry
- Short Term Orthodontics
- Facial Aesthetics
"I love being a part of our patients' journey in life. I take great pride in watching families grow and change, and being part of their family healthcare team. One of the most gratifying experiences I get to have is to relieve a patient of pain, or to help them regain their confidence as they improve the health and appearance of their smile."
— Dr. Alida D. Jagdeo
Dental Council of Trinidad and Tobago registration: J06A
She describes herself as a lifetime learner and has earned substantial continuing education hours — which is what allows the practice to offer such a range of treatment under one roof rather than referring patients around the country. Outside the practice she spends time with her family and pets, contributes regularly to charitable organisations, and enjoys bonsai, sketching, cooking, travelling and the outdoors.
Our team
Dentistry is not a solo act, and most of what makes a visit feel calm happens before the dentist walks in.
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Dr. Aleah RasheedAssociate Dentist
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Sarla DookieOffice Administrator / Patient Coordinator -
Shandel MooreDental Assistant
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Lisan De GazonDental Assistant
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Riana PersadDental Assistant
What we believe
Our mission is to provide comprehensive, high-quality treatment from competent, diverse and compassionate professionals, using current technology and technique, in a warm and caring environment. In practice that comes down to four things:
- Educate first. We would rather you understood your mouth than simply agreed with us. Informed patients make better decisions and keep their teeth longer.
- Comfort is clinical. Anxiety is a genuine barrier to care, so we treat it as one — sedation where it is wanted, topical anaesthetic before injections, and something to watch on the ceiling.
- Honesty, trust and open communication. Itemised quotations before treatment, evidence shown on screen, and a straight answer when the answer is "you don't need this."
- Access matters. We open at 7:00am so work does not have to be the reason you skip the dentist, we have been a preferred insurance provider for over fifteen years, and we offer TTARP discounts.
Insurance and cover
We have been a Preferred Provider Practice for over 15 years with Guardian Life, Sagicor, Pan-American Life, Cardea and others. If you carry dental cover, we will check what you are entitled to before treatment starts, and apply any discount you qualify for.
We also offer a TTARP discount on various procedures.
Common questions
How long has the Jagdeo family been practising dentistry?
Since the 1950s. Dr. Augustine Jagdeo qualified in 1950 at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in San Francisco, where he is named in that year’s yearbook. His son Dr. Anthony D. Jagdeo graduated in 1972, and his granddaughter Dr. Alida D. Jagdeo is the third generation. Smile Works DentaSpa is Dr. Alida’s own practice, which she founded in 2008.
Who is the dentist at Smile Works DentaSpa?
Dr. Alida D. Jagdeo, a third-generation dental surgeon. She holds a BSc from St. Andrew’s University and a Doctor of Dental Surgery from The University of the West Indies, with postgraduate certification in implant placement, minimal conscious sedation, digital dentistry, short term orthodontics and facial aesthetics.
Which insurance companies do you work with?
We have been a preferred provider for over 15 years with Guardian Life, Sagicor, Pan-American Life, Cardea and others. Guardian Life members on a PROVISOR plan can swipe an easiClaim card here and see what they owe before treatment starts. We also offer a TTARP discount on various procedures.
Where is the practice located?
31 Mucurapo Road, St. James, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago. We are open from 7:00am on weekdays.