For 11 years, John Cherry has worked as a busboy/janitor at a diner where Ana Vazquez and her husband frequently stop to eat on their trips between Florida’s East Coast, where they live, and the West Coast where they have a vacation home.

Over the past three years when they would visit this family-owned Greek café, John would smile and greet them – but never speak. “It was obvious he was missing several teeth and seriously needed dental care,” says Ana.

“So a few months ago I decided to talk to the owner,” Ana explains. “I told her the kind of work I do and about the Smiles for Everyone Foundation. I asked her, ‘If I nominated John to receive free dental work, do you think he’d be interested in receiving help?’

“‘Oh, my, yes!’ the owner replied. ‘He would be so grateful!’ I also asked her how he would keep his appointments, since the Orlando-Waterford Lakes office is two hours from Fort Meade where Johnny lives,” says Ana. “She assured me that if he were approved for the program, she’d arrange his transportation.”

Changing the World, One Patient at a Time

“When I nominated Johnny for the Community Smile Project [CSP], I asked the Waterford Lakes team if they’d be willing to handle his treatment,” adds Ana. “Their response was an enthusiastic ‘Yes’. This group gets along great and Dr. Angel Rivera-Castro connects so well with his patients, I knew Johnny would have a good experience. I also knew that Dental Assistant Jacqueline Moore does a lot of volunteer work, so I asked her to be the office’s CSP Leader.”

“This team not only loves serving paying patients, but also those who cannot afford treatment,” says Jacqueline. “This is how we can make a positive impact in one person’s life, and in the community.

“John often reminded us that he’s 36 year old and this was his first time visiting the dentist, so we understood his nervousness. That’s why the most gratifying moments were when John overcame his fear of treatment, then his joy after his treatment!” notes Jacqueline.

Dr. Rivera-Castro eased John into treatment by fitting him with upper dentures first. When John returned for the lower dentures, he excitedly told the team, “My nieces and nephews didn’t recognize me when they saw me with my new teeth!”

“Besides being able to chew his food easier, receiving treatment has the potential to change Johnny’s life,” observes Ana. “Having a beautiful smile will give him more self-confidence. Instead of shying away from him, people will see him differently. He’s such a good, honest, hardworking person, we’re all happy we could help him.”

Philippines

Rache Macaranas

Administrator

Col. Percy Macaranas

Administrator

Operating from two locations (Mindanao and Luzon), the Philippines team bring dental care to those most in need, including PDLs (Persons Deprived of Liberty) in city jails and remote tribes like T’boli tribe that often require seven hours or more of travel over rough roads to reach them.

Laos

Dr. Sonexay Kounlavong

Lead Dentist

Good Begin

Administrator

Though they faced economic challenges and massive regional flooding in 2024, the Laos team worked hard to serve their community, including students attending a monastary. This outpost was organically developed by the Thai team, and the two regularly do outreach together.

Rwanda

Dr. Jesse Wong

Lead Dentist

Launched in January 2025, our newest outpost is led by Dr. Jesse Wong, a Canadian dentist who has lived in Rwanda for 10+ years.

With just two dentists for every 100,000 people in the country, the team is gearing up to treat over 4,000 people in their first year of operation, meeting serious needs in the region, where tooth decay in up to 50% of children is due to high levels of fluoride in the drinking water.

Thailand

Dr. Wata Siyootagrai

Lead Dentist

Narissara (Oh) Jearajetchai

Administrator

Working tirelessly to build partnerships and expand operations, our Thailand outpost has served schools, communities and remote tribes.

In 2024, they have placed their focus to serving refugees from Myanmar, the homeless, children in orphanages, and sex workers—those who have the least access to dental care.

Ghana

Dr. Tinuola Esther Mark

Lead Dentist

Kwesi Oduro-Korankye

Administrator

Ghana won the 2024 Outpost of the Year Award for its outstanding work. By partnering with the Ghana Health Service, this outpost has recruited and assigned dentists to each district of the Ashanti region, ensuring comprehensive care.

Paraguay

Judah Mooney

Director, Diaconia

Pablo Ortiz

Administrator

Dr. Andrea Lopez

Lead Dentist

Paraguay was our first outpost, and began with one doctor serving once a month.


Today, the Paraguay team operates a mobile clinic, partners with dentists at their clinics, and runs a program at Guternburg School.

Central America

Dr. Reyes

Lead Administrator

A dedicated team of volunteer dentists provide much-needed care to communities in need. This year, the outpost partnered with a youth organization, offering services and education to children and adolescents who otherwise don’t have access to dental care.

Mexico

Jesus Perez

Director

Using innovative strategies and technology to increase efficiency and overcome barriers, the Mexico outpost is connected with key universities in the area to collaborate with dental school students.



The team also opened a Smiles Dental Consultation Room for patients who need follow-up from the larger outreaches.

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