The local Ghana Team conducted a three-day outreach in June, providing care to hundreds of people in need.

The Zebila Bawku West District is found in the Kingdom of Dagbon in the upper east region of Ghana. The whole upper east region only has one dentist, one physician assistant and three dental assistants, so the need for a dental outreach in the area was great.

Dr. Esther Mark was accompanied by Dr. Sebastein Mensah and a few Assistants from the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation/Smiles for Everyone Foundation. For this outreach, they partnered with Haven of Love Children Foundation, who helped host the clinic and provide assistance to the dentists.

Day 1: Binaba Community Dental Outreach Program

The first outreach was held on July 21 at the Zebanco Royal Lodge in Binaba. Many community members arrived throughout the day for dental care, so our Team decided to pre-screen everyone and choose the patients based on who needed the most care.

Roughly 300 people were screened, and the Team identified 140 cases of extractions and cleanings that they were able to provide. Everyone who was treated also went home with a toothbrush.


Day 2: Teshie Dental Outreach Program

The second day of outreach was held in the auditorium of the Assembly of God Church in Teshie. Hundreds of villagers arrived throughout the day when they heard about the clinic. Joy News also found out about the outreach and came to do an interview and story of our Team’s work.

250 villagers were screened and the Team provided 170 cleanings and extractions.


Day 3: Sapeliga Dental Outreach Program

The last day of outreach was held in Sapeliga, where many patients walked from near and far to see our Team. Most of the patients who came to the clinic were suffering from toothache or abscess due to a lifetime of neglect. 150 patients were screened and 70 received cleanings and extractions.


The community leaders from the areas that our Team visited were all very welcoming and thankful for the work being done for their residents. The Team found that 95% of the community needed cleanings, and about 50% of them had cavities. They also noticed that most of the children in the communities had poor oral hygiene, all which could easily be prevented. The Team hopes to come back and conduct more outreaches in the future, but also hopes that these communities will be provided with a dental clinic that their residents can easily access.

Thank you to the local Ghana Team for delivering so many Smiles this summer!

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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