Creating Smiles, Improving Lives
Medical Mission Trips
Our Upcoming Mission Trips
With a team of 30+ volunteers, we will evaluate upwards of 80 patients, and perform surgeries on about 50 patients. We are excited to return to our partner hospitals and serve children who are in desperate need of care.
Guatemala 2021
September 25th- Oct. 3rd at El Centro Moore
We will be at the Moore Center from September 25th- October 3rd, 2021 in Guatemala City
El Salvador 2022
February 19th-26th at Hospital Militar Central
We will be at the Hospital Militar Central tentatively on February 19th, 2022 in San Salvador.
Now more than ever, Austin Smiles is in need of sustainable mission trip funding. Additional COVID safety protocol has added expenses to our trips including PPE, patient rapid COVID testing, vaccination and more. Learn more about how you can help fund a medical mission trip below.
Life-Changing Services
Our life-changing services not only improve the quality of life of the child, but also provides them an opportunity to live more productive, inclusive, fulfilling lives, free from isolation, stigma and mental health issues that often present if left untreated. We work closely with local doctors and nurses in the areas we visit, making follow-up trips, and collaborating with medical personnel abroad to provide the best comprehensive cleft care and treatment.
Our International Impact
Many Latin American countries have limited access to adequate medical resources and their residents lack sufficient income to afford necessary medical treatment. Austin Smiles has supported these communities for almost 35 years, helping to create smiles and improve lives. We work internationally with underserved low-income children and families, offering hope and new opportunities for a better more inclusive life. We provide our patients with access to primary surgeries at a young age, as well as orthodontic care, speech therapy, and ENT services. Austin Smiles has worked to improve the lives of over 5,000 patients, collaborating with our medical partners abroad to provide an excellent continuum of cleft care since 1987.
About our International Cleft Team
Each trip our medical mission team generally consists of up to 30 licensed medical professionals. These may include board-certified plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, speech pathologists, otolaryngologists, surgical nurses, and surgical technologists. Additionally, we have 2-5 non-medical volunteers who provide translation, administrative and technical support.
Our Sustainable Model of Care
Our life-changing services not only improve the quality of life of the child but provides them an opportunity to live more productive, inclusive, fulfilling lives, free from isolation, stigma and mental health issues that often present if left untreated. We work closely with local doctors and nurses in the areas we visit, making follow-up trips, and collaborating with medical personnel abroad to provide the best comprehensive cleft care and treatment.
The Difference a Week Makes
In a typical one-week mission, Austin Smiles will change the lives of 50+ children and their families. To date, we have completed thousands of reconstructive surgeries on over 5,000 children in Latin America who would otherwise go without treatment. It is incredibly powerful to see a child be reunited with their mother after surgery. Moreover, it is extremely gratifying to see past clients on subsequent visits as happy, healthy and attractive young adults whom we first met as infants.
1 in 700 children are born with a cleft lip or palate
$250 covers the cost of one life-changing surgery
150 volunteers annually will change a child’s life forever
Become a Medical Volunteer
Learn more about Austin Smiles Local and International Programming
Make a Difference
Every day hundreds of children are born with a cleft. With your help we can ensure these children have access to safe, quality and life-changing care
Sponsor our Medical Mission Trip to El Salvador
Support our life-changing mission and medical team in San Salvador, February 19-26th, 2022