What We Do
Providing Dental Care to the Poor
Our mission at Sonrisas Siempre is to improve the dental health of the poor in South and Central America. We execute this mission through dental service trips abroad.
Our broad vision is one that takes patience and perseverance - but one that is ultimately rewarding. The process begins by bringing together all the necessary ingredients for a successful service trip - dentists, dental hygienists, non-dental helpers, funding, equipment, supplies, transportation, and accommodations. Easing the process by which any one of these ingredients can find the others is where Sonrisas Siempre can first start to make a difference.
Once everything is together, Sonrisas travels abroad to provide restorative and preventative dental care, including the important aspect of education. Restorative care reclaims teeth that would otherwise eventually have to be removed. Preventative care and basic dental education keep teeth healthy in the time span between Sonrisas visits. During one visit, the number of cavities in an orphanage of over 40 children was reduced to only a handful simply by educating the children and guardians on good dental health practices like brushing and avoiding sugar.
As Sonrisas Siempre grows, it will be able to serve more people in more locations around the world. This mission is a group effort in which anyone - not just dentists - can help. To learn more about what you can do to improve the dental care of the poor, visit our volunteer or donate page.
Dr. Tom Blake