“My dentist was wonderful with such gentle hands! I loved [this event]. Thank you for caring about the community the way you do!” – patient Sherril M.

Before attending the San Antonio Day of Giving, Sherril had not been to a dentist in 22 years. On Saturday, June 9, nearly 50 volunteers gathered at the Monarch Dental® office on SW Military Drive in San Antonio to provide pro-bono dental services to low-income, underinsured individuals like Sherril. In partnership with the Smiles for Everyone Foundation, Monarch Dental was able to provide nearly $45,000 in donated dentistry.

Smiles for Everyone Foundation also partnered with non-profit organizations around the community to identify individuals in need to attend this event. These organizations include SAM Ministries, which provides support services for the homeless; YWCA, an organization that eliminates racism and empowers women; Arms of Hope, serving children and single moms; The Children’s Shelter; and Big Brothers Big Sisters. With the help of these organizations, the volunteers were able to provide care for over 70 patients during the Day of Giving.

“It was such an amazing day to be able to help so many grateful and deserving individuals,” says Marcus Ervin, Smile Brand’s PC President of San Antonio and Lead Dentist at the Monarch Dental office on Stone Oak. “It was great to see all of the teams come together from across the market and work as one cohesive team.”

Since its inception, the Smiles for Everyone Foundation has delivered smiles to over 16,000 people in need, donating over $12 million in dental services. The Day of Giving programs are a part of the Foundation’s Community Smile Project, providing basic dental services such as cleanings, fillings and extractions for low-income, underserved individuals.

Smiles for Everyone Foundation has three more Days of Giving planned for Texas in 2018. They will be in Houston, Austin, and Lewisville in the months of July and September. Please visit the Foundation’s website and connect on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram to learn about current and future programs.

 


   

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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