Smile Train

Meet Angel Ogaz and his mom, Andrea, from Chile! Angel, at 16, is a passionate artist and budding soccer goalie, thriving despite his early challenges with cleft care. From a shy child finding solace in painting to the heart of his school, Angel's journey is inspiring. Andrea vividly recalls the moment she learned about Angel's cleft during a routine ultrasound. Devastated and uncertain, she found hope and guidance at Gantz Foundation, where they supported her from prenatal care through surgeries and ongoing treatments. "Angel was always my little artist," Andrea shares proudly. "He found peace in painting from a young age, a refuge that helped him overcome his shyness." Today, Angel not only excels in school — especially in his favorite subject, math — but he's also known for his vibrant watercolor paintings.

Over the years, Smile Train has expanded its comprehensive cleft care treatments and programs with the help of our incredible medical partners all around the world. Some of this care can include nutrition treatments, follow-ups, orthodontics, psychosocial work, speech therapy and more. There are currently 85 partner countries where comprehensive cleft care treatments take place. Help Smile Train and local partners by donating today.

Interested in getting more involved with the YLC? Become a YLC Board Member!  Join a group of likeminded individuals who are focused on helping spread awareness about clefts, promoting Smile Train's cause and model, and providing forever smiles for children around the world! YLC Members receive exclusive monthly email updates from Smile Train along with discounts and invitations to YLC and Smile Train events. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/dczfV56 

Yusuf is the eldest of three siblings and the only one born with a cleft— neither mis mother, Habibo, nor her family had ever encountered a cleft before in their family. Despite Yusuf undergoing surgery when he was four years old, his cleft was not completely healed, leading to further pain and stigma as he grew up. The turning point came when Habibo learned that free cleft surgery was available through the media. The news that Yusuf would receive the help he needed filled Habibo with hope. The family quickly made arrangements to travel to Smile Train partner Kalkaal Hospital in Mogadishu. A few hours later, Yusuf had more than just a new smile; he had an opportunity for a brighter, more confident future. Today, Yusuf, now 11, walks through the world with confidence.

Monica Bush is a devoted wife and mother of three who lives with her family in Kokomo, Indiana. Her journey took an unexpected turn when, at 19 weeks pregnant, she received the news that her son, Henry, would be born with a cleft lip and potentially cleft palate. Over the past 11 years, Monica has immersed herself in the cleft and craniofacial community, becoming a trusted parent advisor to fellow cleft moms and families at one of Indiana’s leading healthcare institutions, Riley Hospital for Children. As the Executive Director of Legendary Smiles, Monica channels her unwavering passion for cleft and craniofacial care. She compiles educational resources and continues to personally assist families, ensuring they receive the guidance and encouragement they need. Monica’s commitment to making a difference shines through every aspect of her work, impacting the lives of those she serves. Want to hear her in person? There's still time to register for Cleft Con, happening in Houston tomorrow! Where you can connect with more inspiring members of the cleft community, learn from top experts, make new friends, and hear real talk on the emotional, medical, and logistical issues our community knows so well from others who have been there. Watch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/eseQgpdb Register for Cleft Con here: https://lnkd.in/eMj39iWx

Dr. Ingrid Rios works as a cleft-specialized speech therapist in schools and at Fundación Ayninakuna, her local Smile Train partner in Bolivia. There, she helps these children receive a full spectrum of care, particularly speech therapy, for as long as they need to speak clearly and with confidence. In her words, “The support that Smile Train gives us is important on an economic level, especially with families, for the surgeries. In the case of other professionals, we have benefitted with training. The comprehensive cleft care gives us a complete perspective of the family and the child and the needs they have.”“Working with these children gives me the opportunity to put everything I know into practice,” Ingrid said, “to teach, to share my experience, and to give them hope as well.” Watch as Ingrid Rios gives life-changing speech therapy to a Smile Train patient at Fundación Ayninakuna in Sucre, Bolivia. Her dedication to comprehensive care transforms lives.

#DidYouKnow that Smile Train has supported 6,600 cleft surgeries and more than 30 healthcare partners in Argentina, making free cleft surgery and other comprehensive care possible for patients just like Lucas.

At Fundación Ayninakuna, Dr. Yolanda Santiváñez — and the entire staff — build close relationships with the patients and families under their care from day one. It’s one of the many ways Ayninakuna is setting a standard for high-quality, comprehensive cleft care not just in Bolivia, but the entire world. Across 48 countries, Smile Train invests in comprehensive cleft care partners like Fundación Ayninakuna, providing ongoing resources and training to staff. From initial evaluations to speech therapy, psychosocial work, and more, Smile Train is dedicated to supporting holistic, lasting cleft treatment across each patient’s entire healing journey. Help support Smile Train partners like Fundación Ayninakuna and donate today!

Smile Train is thrilled to announce the latest endeavor in our continued partnership with Dentsply Sirona — the world’s largest manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies — and the FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) — the global voice of the dental profession! Together, we have signed a new trilateral agreement to further advance the global digitalization of cleft care treatment. By expanding and increasing access to educational resources on digital cleft treatment, we aim to support the wide adoption of new digital cleft treatment standards. Our efforts will complement FDI’s Open Online Course “Digital Dentistry in Cleft Care.” Learn more about how we're transforming cleft care and empowering communities globally: https://lnkd.in/euXfVnCd

Sisters Ernie and Ermalen were both born with a cleft. Their mother, Maricel, was aware of clefts, as her father had been born with one and she had seen other people with clefts in the community. Finding Smile Train allowed both sisters to receive surgery in 2022, at the Philippine Band of Mercy. Maricel was grateful both for the surgery itself and for the valuable advice that the surgical team gave to her. Join in helping families like Ernie and Ermalen's receive free cleft care and support everlasting smiles for people in need all over the world!