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All our volunteers are doing a great job to help our kids! But we continue to need assistance to provide life-saving surgeries and health care for them! We still have bills and the costs of our supplies and equipment continue to rise! Please continue to donate to give these children a better life! We need your support more now than ever!

Meet Thousand Smiles

We are doctors, dentists, orthodontists, speech therapists, audiologists, health educators, nurses, and regular volunteers who work to provide dental care, orthodontia, as well as surgical repair of cleft lips/cleft palates for children in Mexico who might otherwise receive no care. We are licensed, credentialed professionals from Mexico and the U.S.  We are affiliated with Loma Linda University, UCSD, and UCLA.  We provide continuity of care; we see patients as infants and will continue to provide proper care as the patient grows until the defects are repaired. We have commitment. We have been providing services since 1985. We have treated over 1000 patients needing cleft lip repair, and many more are receiving dental care as well.  By caring for children with cleft lip/cleft palate and those without access to dental care, we hope to create thousands of more smiles.

Meet Josue!

Josue was born with a serious cleft palate and was brought to Thousand Smiles at the age of 2-1/2. Surgeons created a treatment plan and over the course of several surgeries in 16 years reworked his mouth, teeth, and nose. Now, at the age of 20, he is ready for a whole new life ahead!  Read More…

Thousand Smiles Foundation provides life-saving surgeries and related health care for FREE to underserved children so that they can eat properly, speak normally, be more accepted in their communities to live normal lives.

SUCCESS STORIES

Amara

Follow the progression of this little girl’s surgeries. Donate now to help Thousand Smiles change her life.

Before Surgery in May 2018

Nov. 5, 2021

After Her First Surgery in August 2018

February 5th, 2022

Amara with Arm Restraints

November 5th, 2022

Amara’s third surgery November 2018

Amara Today

February 3rd, 2024

Amara’s 4th surgery

Amara’s 4th surgery Feb. 2, 2019. Taken by Teresa Misenhelter

Amara at 2yrs old

Amara, May 2019
2 years old

SUCCESS STORIES

Ahley is two years old and has already had 3 surgeries to correct her cleft lip. She will have several more while she is with us to correct problems inside her mouth, straighten her teeth, and will work with a speech pathologist.

Cesar is 25 years old. He has been with us since he was an infant. You can’t really tell that he had a double cleft lip as a baby. He is working and attending college working towards a degree in computer science.

Kayla is 8 year old. She too had a cleft lip. She’s only needed 1 surgery so far, but will receive more dental and orthodontia as she grows. She is an orphan who lives with her grandmother.

Josue is 16 years old, oldest of 3 boys in the family. He came to TSF with a cleft palate/lip as a baby. He has had 6 surgeries to repair the clefts and plastic surgery to reshape his nose. He will continue to be treated until his teeth and nose are as perfect as we can make him.

Meet the Happy Hookers and Oaks North Quilters!

People say it takes a village to raise a child! We like to say that about our mission in Mexico treating cleft palate/lip kids with dental and surgical care. What you might not know is that behind the scenes, there are many groups who support us to help give them the best care possible. The Happy Hookers and Oaks North Quilters are two!

We are grateful to these women who knit, crochet, sew blankets and make unique stuffed toys for our patients. These dedicated ladies have continually shown care and compassion for Thousand Smiles kids for several years. Their blankets provide comforting warmth during cold months. Thousand Smiles is very grateful!

Not everybody can knit, crochet or sew like our friends, but everyone can help! You can make a one-time gift or sign up for a recurring donation. Be assured that every contribution helps us provide care to the neediest children. Join us!