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Missions

A Solvable Problem

Millions of impoverished children around the world suffer from cleft lip/palate deformities leading to isolation, social stigma, speech
defects, dental disease, and nutritional
struggles.

Ordinary Heroes on an Extraordinary Mission

Ordinary Heroes are the Solution

Millions of impoverished children around the world suffer from cleft lip/palate deformities leading to isolation, social stigma, speech defects, dental disease, and nutritional
struggles.

Giving Time, Money, and Expertise

VOLUNTEER TEAM MEMBERS PAY THEIR OWN TRAVEL AND RELATED EXPENSES, DO SURGERIES FOR FREE, AND SERVE THOSE WHO WOULD NEVER RECEIVE TREATMENT WITHOUT THEM. MISSION TRIP COSTS GENERALLY RANGE FROM $10,000 TO $25,000 DEPENDING UPON THE LOCATION AND THE PROJECT. THIS UNIQUE APPROACH ENSURES DONATIONS TO THE FREE TO SMILE FOUNDATION GO DIRECTLY TO PROVIDING TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN.

Amazing Partners Around the World

Short-term Mission with Long-term Impact

Volunteer medical/dental professionals treat much more than a cosmetic deformity. We seek to eliminate potential consequences of untreated cleft lip/palate malformation. If not corrected, cleft lip and palate can lead to severe malnourishment in young children. Those who reach adolescence and adulthood often develop significant speech defects and may be ostracized from their villages because others believe they carry bad karma, are inhabited by evil spirits, and/or are being punished by something they did in a past life. A 1-2 hour cleft repair surgery gives the child and her family new hope for a full, healthy, and happy life.

Leaving a Lasting
Legacy

In addition to helping today’s patients, we focus on helping those of tomorrow by training local surgeons on techniques so they may perform surgeries needed in their region. We are merely guests in their country seeking to help them better serve their people. Our goal is always to teach others to do what we do so that we can move on to other impoverished areas.

Will you be an
Ordinary Hero?

If you are a medical or dental professional with a desire to change the lives of underserved children around the world, we’d love to connect with you.

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