Smiles Foundation USA

Smiles Foundation USA Registered in 2018- Our North American operations collect donations of dental and other supplies in both countries and raise funds to ship those donations to our programs in the Dominican Republic. Dominican Republic-Fundación para la Prevención y la Salud Bucal de Los Niños (Clínicas “Sonrisas) - Registered in 1987. Our Dominican operations offer free and affordable dental treatments, preventative health education, and other community-oriented life-enhancing programs, such as computer education, English classes, manual skills, domestic help training, environmental health, summer and after school children’s camps, among others. To date, more than 5.5 million people have benefited from our programs. Smiles Foundation Canada Registered in 1998, the Canadian operations have two objectives: Securing donations of dental and educational supplies in Canada and raising funds to ship them to the Dominican Republic. Our Program in Canada In 2018, the Canadian Foundation also started delivering a program called "Smiles in Action”. It takes free active living Dance lessons to people of all ages and abilities through Dancing Smiles, primary health information through Vibrant Smiles, and programs geared to immigrants through New Smiles. These three components are applied depending on the needs and desires of our recipients. A detailed description can be found on smilesinaction.org. Our Programs in the Dominican Republic 1. Primary Health Care: Prevention of Oral Diseases, Environmental Issues, Bullying, Children’s Rights, HIV/STD Prevention, Nutrition, and others that emerge from the communities’ needs. 2. Women Empowerment: Domestic Violence, Computer Literacy, and English Language, all of which are conducive to employment, and social mobility. 3. After-School: Organized for children from low-income families. Health Education and Leadership Skills are promoted in a supportive learning environment. - English Language: Knowing English facilitates employment and continuous educational options. - Computer Education: Compu.com is designed to empower marginalized Dominican youth with the knowledge and ability to use modern computers with modern software. The beneficiaries get hands-on practice with various software programs as they put together numerous educational materials such as brochures on oral health. Those initiatives keep troubled youth off the streets, provides professional training to facilitate integration into the community and future job placement. Together, we improve the health and well-being of poor children in the Dominican Republic by offering free preventative health education and restorative dental treatments to children. Adults are treated at only half the average cost of what the local dentists charge. We believe that if children are educated and raised with proper health practices, they will be better equipped to meet the challenges of our changing world, and will develop the self-confidence needed to fulfill the leadership roles of tomorrow. A network of permanent and mobile dental clinics is eliminating barriers. Since 1987, over 5.5 million people have accessed dental services and primary health education through our clinics. All 10 permanent clinics (open 6-7 days/week) are located in the poorest areas of the Dominican Republic where residents have no access to affordable dental care. Four clinics are in the capital city of Santo Domingo while six others are located throughout the Dominican Republic. Services provided include a full range of dental care. Since our beginnings, it has been clear that preventing oral decay would play the biggest role in the long term. That is why every patient that comes to our clinics, with their family members, are educated on the importance of proper oral hygiene. Every patient leaves the clinic with a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss.