The SFEF Thailand team wanted to do an outreach focusing on the slums, homeless people, and prostitutes in the city of Chiang Mai. However, the city was struck by the worst flood in a century, leaving the team with a tough decision: should they proceed with the outreach or postpone and return home? Despite the overwhelming circumstances, they decided together to continue their mission and stay to treat those around them.

Their first challenge was securing a vehicle or boat tall enough to transport the team out of the hotel. All the military vehicles they asked about were not large enough for their needs. They also needed something big enough to transport patients at the hospital to safety. In the end, some of the team had to walk through the water carrying equipment, while others were assisted by a local NGO team and taken out to the treatment area.

Due to all the difficulties, they arrived at the treatment point six hours later, where patients were already waiting for them. One of them had tears in his eyes and said, “Thank you to the dental team who came to help us in the most hopeless time in our lives, while there was a big flood in Chiang Mai, and everyone fled this area. But there is a group of people, who were willing to go through the hardships of flooding to provide us treatment without charge. You are a light in the darkness that brings joy to the community.”

Remarkably, the team was able to treat 257 people that day. We are so grateful for SFEF Thailand’s resilience and compassion to serve the people of Chiang Mai in their darkest hours.

 

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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