The local Nicaragua Team delivered Smiles to 644 patients in rural communities!

During the months of June and July, our local Nicaragua Team conducted an outreach in the Municipality of Rosita! Coordinated by Accion Medica Cristiana (AMC) and in collaboration with the Rosita Ministry of Health (MINSA), the Team was able to visit the communities of Unawasito, Samaria del Rosario, Poza Redonda, San Agustin, Wasaking, Danto, Buena Esperanza, San Jose Banacruz, and Sombrero.

In the municipality of Rosita, especially in the rural area, the need for dental outreaches is evident. A shortage of supplies has prevented MINSA from being able to include dental care in their regularly scheduled health service. This lack of resources prompted community health leaders to request for an increase in the access of care, especially for those who have difficulty receiving services due to limited road access.

The Nicaragua Team was able to provide free services, dental health education and hygiene supplies to a total of 644 patients! Read below for the testimonies of three patients who expressed extreme gratitude for the care they received.

Laidina Smith Castillo

Laidina Smith Castillo is 29 years old and lives in the Miskito indigenous community of Wasakin, in the North Autonomous Caribbean Region of Nicaragua. She is mixed Miskito and Mayangna indigenous, and is married with two children. Laidina was asked what she would have done for dental care if this outreach didn’t take place.

“I would not have been able to have my tooth taken out because I do not have the money to do so. If I had to pay, it would mean $8 for the extraction if I have it done close by. But if I have to travel to Rosita, the nearest town, I would pay this much plus the cost of bus fare. We have many economic problems right now so I would not have my tooth taken care of. My daughter has some problems with her teeth on the top, and she only had an old toothbrush. But thanks to the mobile outreach, she has a new toothbrush. She brushes twice a day; in the morning and at night. The good thing about the Smiles for Everyone outreach is that it comes to our community and the care is free of charge.”

Angela Maldonado 

“My name is Angela Maldonado, and I am from the community of Danto 2. It took me a total of four hours to come on the bus to where the dental outreach is. I think it is a great idea. The dentists gave a lot of attention to the care of the patients. I think they are great. I hope they continue to support us because it really helps our community and our families. Thanks to AMC and Smiles for Everyone!”

Mateo Flores Angulo

“I am from the Santa Teresita community. First, we give thanks to God for this opportunity for dental care that we and my family are having for the first time with help from Accion Medica Cristiana and our brothers and sisters from Smiles for Everyone Foundation. We live about 2 and a half hours away from here. We had to wait to be seen because so many people are in line for their dental care. I have a tooth that is bad, and my son has several teeth that needed to be checked and cleaned. We see that toothbrushes are given to the patients which will help our health. If we did not have this Smiles for Everyone Outreach, we would have to travel 4 hours more to get to Rosita where we can see the dentist but right now there are no materials in the MINSA dental clinic. We hope this will not be the last time that we rural farmers will receive this support for our dental health.”


Thank you to Team Nicaragua for travelling to these rural communities and delivering Smiles for Everyone!

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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