Global Smile Foundation

For more than 30 year, Global Smile Foundation (GSF) volunteers have been dedicated to providing our patients with the best possible long-term and interdisciplinary cleft care. We believe that first-class comprehensive cleft care should be accessible for all patients regardless of geographic or socioeconomic barriers.

There is a pressing need for sustainable cleft care in developing countries where the consequences of untreated cleft lip and palate are devastating. Our mission is to provide comprehensive cleft care for patients in these underserved areas throughout the world and to advance the level of cleft care provided globally.

We provide care that goes well beyond fragmented corrective surgeries to include the full range of care that a patient would receive in developed countries. In addition to surgical procedures, comprehensive care includes:

• Pre-surgical dental orthopedics
• Feeding and nutrition counseling
• Dental and orthodontic treatment
• Speech therapy
• Psychosocial support

Patients and their families also receive education and information about post-op care, nutrition, and cleft prevention.

We return to the same locations annually and are thus able to provide individualized follow-up care for our patients and a continuity of care. Our approach enables us to facilitate the best health outcomes for our patients and gives them the opportunity to live full, productive lives without the burdens of cleft.

We hope that all countries will develop the ability to provide high-quality comprehensive cleft care and are dedicated to providing extensive and integrated educational programs. Our efforts include:

• Hands-on training for healthcare professionals at our mission sites
• An international comprehensive cleft care workshop
• Development of local cleft teams at mission sites
• Guidance and support of local partners to ensure advanced cleft care for local populace
• Fellowships and training initiatives
• Implementation of Augmented Reality for advanced surgical techniques in cleft repairs

In addition, GSF partners with well-respected onsite nonprofit organizations, local authorities, and cleft surgeons to deliver essential care for patients who need it most