Smile Train has performed over 69,000 primary cleft surgeries, resulting in 598,000+ years lost to disability averted and $3 billion+

“Smile Train at 25: $69 Billion in Impact” showcases the cost-effectiveness of investing in global healthcare and integrating comprehensive cleft care into health systems as the organization marks 25 years of global cleft care

 

Smile Train, the world's largest cleft-focused organization, with a sustainable and local model of supporting surgery and other forms of essential  cleft care, released a newly published study that lays out the real-world return on their investments in communities worldwide.

 

The report, titled “Smile Train at 25: $69 Billion in Impact,” features new data measuring the economic impact and value that comes with 25 years of transforming cleft care. Smile Train’s work has boosted economies by $69 billion in more than 90 countries around the world and has regained 11 million total productive life years globally by cleft surgery patients - measured in averted disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).

 

In the Philippines, specifically, Smile Train has performed over 69,000 primary cleft surgeries, resulting in 598,000+ years lost to disability averted and $3 billion+ in economic benefit.

 

“Having a cleft can have wide-ranging consequences on a child – impacting their physical and mental health, their family’s economic stability, and the child’s future capacity to live a full and productive life,” shared Mamta Carroll, Vice President and Regional Director for Asia, Smile Train. “Having seen first-hand how untreated clefts have affected children in the Philippines and around the world, there is no doubt how access to safe and quality comprehensive cleft care is not only vital, but undeniably transformational in all aspects of their lives.”

 

“We’re thrilled to share this latest study showcasing the economic impact of our work,” said Susannah Schaefer, President and CEO, Smile Train. “$69 billion put back into local economies around the world is no small feat, and these incredibly impactful numbers are all thanks to the dedicated efforts of our worldwide team who understand and prioritize our sustainable and local model of supporting surgery and other forms of essential cleft care. It’s time that the international medical community follows suit and recognizes the cost-effectiveness of integrating comprehensive cleft care into their health systems in order to provide every child with a cleft in need the access to the care they deserve and the future they can achieve for themselves, their families, and their communities.” 

 

For as little as $400 committed toward one cleft surgery, as much as $60,000 is put back into the local economy, as former cleft patients go on to contribute to economic output and lead full, productive lives. This amounts to a more than 150x return on investment for a single cleft surgery. 

 

Over the past 25 years, Smile Train has seen the impact of supporting timely, affordable, high-quality cleft surgery for those who need it most. Since inception, the organization has sponsored more than two million cleft surgeries, awarded more than $38 million in education and training grants to medical professionals, supported 600,000+ families with funding for costs related to accessing cleft care, worked with more than 6,000 partner surgeons and 4,000 partner healthcare centers. The data in this study quantifies that surgical care is a sound investment and a cost-effective intervention that yields substantial economic returns for individuals, nations, and for the global economy.

 

The study is a follow up to a 2016 study published in World Journal of Surgery about the societal gain provided by Smile Train’s global cleft surgical intervention program, based on eleven years of data (2001-2011). This new study provides an updated analysis with an additional eleven years of data (2012-2023) and was conducted using data from 1,486,131 Smile Train patient records of primary cleft procedures between 2001-2023. 58 percent of the records were cleft lip surgeries, and 42percent were cleft palate surgeries. More information about the study and its methodology can be found here.

 

Actress Samantha Hanratty Joins Smile Train in Pursuit of a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ Title"

Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused organization, is looking to make history by setting a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the largest online photo album of smiling mouths. 

“We’re passionate about smiles because we know what a serious business they are. As an organization that supports free cleft surgeries and comprehensive cleft care, including oral health care, we are embarking on a global effort to honor all smiles by setting a world record,” said Susannah Schaefer, President, and CEO of Smile Train. 

The GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ attempt starts July 17, 2023, and the organization is aiming to secure the record title by World Smile Day^® on October 6, 2023. In all, 20,000 images of mouths, whether smiling, grinning, or otherwise, need to be uploaded to our online photo album. 

Actress and Smile Train Ambassador, Samantha Hanratty

Actress and Smile Train Ambassador, Samantha Hanratty is sharing her smile in support of the campaign. “I’m proud to partner with Smile Train on this global effort,” said Hanratty. Anyone over the age of 13 can participate and it’s simple to do.  Go to everysmile.org and click on I want to make history. The platform will guide you in taking and uploading a clear and well-lit photo of your smile. That’s it. I did it and encourage you to do the same in support of Smile Train.”

Once the record is set, Smile Train partner, Dentsply Sirona – the world’s largest manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies, will be donating $20,000 to Smile Train on World Smile Day^®– for life-changing surgeries for children with clefts.

“We are proud to help shine a light on the important work that Smile Train does to help children and all people with clefts around the world,” said Erania Brackett, Senior Vice-President of Orthodontic Aligner Solutions & Customer Experience and Head of Sustainability at Dentsply Sirona.

The campaign launch coincides with the celebration of National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month in July 2023. Cleft lip and cleft palate are common birth conditions that can make eating, breathing, hearing, and speaking difficult. 

“This is another opportunity to raise awareness, support, and celebrate people born with a facial difference. We strive to give every child with a cleft the opportunity to smile and lead a full and happy life by empowering medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally,” Schaefer said.

“Let’s make history together while continuing to help children across the globe who are cleft-affected,” Schaefer concluded.

In the Philippines, Smile Train celebrates its 75k Surgeries Milestone, a landmark achievement of providing more than 75 thousand free cleft surgeries to indigent Filipinos. Support Smile Train as it continues to embark on its mission of reaching more children needing essential cleft care through its various programs and initiatives.

For more information about Smile Train’s global efforts and to donate, please visit smiletrain.org. To learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines, please visit smiletrain.ph, follow Smile Train Philippines on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines. 

Smile Train and the Marikina St. Vincent General Hospital reinforce its commitment to provide safe and quality cleft treatment

Celebrating its 12^th year of working together to uplift the lives of those born with a cleft, Smile Train and the Marikina St. Vincent General Hospital reinforce its commitment to provide safe and quality cleft treatment to the community as the hospital formally launches its Smile Train Comprehensive Cleft Care (CCC) center. 

 Smile Train’s sustainable model of partnering with local medical professionals and hospitals in the country helps to improve access to safe, high-quality, and timely treatment for adults and children born with a cleft lip and/or palate. Like many of its CCC partners, Marikina St. Vincent General Hospital offers cleft surgery, orthodontic and dental treatment, and speech therapy at no cost.

In the Philippines, where more than 5,000 babies are born with a cleft palate every year, access to various cleft-related treatments remains vital. Thus, individuals living in Marikina, Rizal, and nearby provinces who are unable to afford cleft care will continue to benefit from these services, which are essential components of effective and impactful cleft treatment. Families who learn of the high-quality treatment at the center travel from all over the country to receive care in the hospital. 

 

“It has been 12 years since we partnered with Smile Train to provide free treatment and care for individuals with cleft and their families. Being able to offer comprehensive cleft care strengthens our resolve to provide life-changing treatment for the cleft community all-year round and in the future,” says Dr. Jenny Deoduco-Mercado, Program Coordinator for Smile Train at Marikina St. Vincent’s General Hospital. 

Aside from Marikina St. Vincent General Hospital, Smile Train offers comprehensive cleft care through partners such as the Philippine Band of Mercy, Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation of the Philippines, Craniofacial Foundation of the Philippines, San Fernandino Hospital in Pampanga, Mabuhay Deseret Foundation in ARC Hospital in Cebu, and Tebow CURE Hospital in Davao. Through the help of its partners, Smile Train has been able to support more than 68,000 cleft surgeries in the Philippines.  

“To date, our partnership with Marikina St. Vincent General Hospital has helped thousands of Filipinos in need of comprehensive cleft care, performing over 4,900 life-changing surgeries. As the world’s largest cleft-focused organization, it is our vision to partner with more local hospitals and make cleft care more accessible for Filipinos all-year round,” said Jun Grimares, Program Director, Smile Train Philippines.

 

To know more about Smile Train’s global efforts and to donate, please visit smiletrain.org. To learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines and to refer a patient in need, please visit smiletrain.ph/get-help. Follow Smile Train Philippines on Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines.

 

Smile Train ambassadors and Miss Universe Queens pose with Smile Train beneficiaries

Before hosting the grand coronation night of the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 pageant, Miss Universe queens Pia Wurtzbach, Iris Mittenaere, and Demi-Leigh Tebow met Smile Train beneficiaries under the care of its partner, Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (NCFPI). The queens reunited for this special gathering to bring awareness about clefts, continuing their important work as advocates of Smile Train.

 

Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused organization, welcomed them to the Philippines and organized the visit with the support of The Miss Universe Philippines organization. “Smile Train is grateful for the unwavering support given by the Miss Universe queens and the Miss Universe Organization. The impact they have globally and their genuine compassion towards our patients are vital to further our cause,” said Smile Train South East Asia Vice President, Kimmy Coseteng-Flaviano. “With their support, we hope to reach more patients and families so that we can continue to provide them with the care that they need.”

 

In the Philippines, Smile Train has continued to provide comprehensive cleft care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the beginning of the pandemic, March 2020, until April 2021, Smile Train has supported 5,490 cleft surgeries in the Philippines. In addition, Smile Train recently bagged recognitions from peers in the communications industry from the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP); Silver Anvil Award and in the Asia-Pacific (Gold) Stevie Awards 2022 with the launch of the country’s first Filipino mobile Smile Train Speech App and the Virtual Telehealth Program. 

 

To know more about Smile Train’s global efforts and to donate, please visit smiletrain.org. To learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines and to refer a patient in need, please visit smiletrain.ph/get-help. Follow Smile Train Philippines on Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines.

 

Simulare Medical announces Patent-Pending Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Simulator

Simulare Medical, a Division of Smile Train, Inc., has launched the newest innovation in its growing line of high-fidelity cleft surgical simulators, the first and only Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Simulator (patent-pending). To celebrate the launch, training workshops are being held today at the 79^th Annual Meeting of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) in Fort Worth, Texas and in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao in the Philippines in partnership with the Philippines Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (PAPRAS).

 

Developed by leading plastic surgeons to help accelerate the learning curve in cleft lip and palate reconstructive surgical training, the Simulare Medical Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Simulator is an anatomically accurate, lifelike, and invaluable training tool that will reduce patient risk, decrease training costs, and elevate the skills and confidence of surgeons globally.

 

Smile Train is the world’s largest cleft-focused organization. For more than 20 years, Smile Train has supported safe and quality cleft care for 1.5 million+ children globally.

“This latest innovation advances our vision of providing care for every cleft-affected person and demonstrates our commitment to leveraging technology to further education and change lives,” said Susannah Schaefer, President and Chief Executive Officer at Smile Train. “We’re deeply invested in continuing to evolve training that creates more sustainable health systems. We look forward to seeing this Simulator have a positive impact on cleft surgeons at the beginning of their career and longtime professionals looking to refine their skills as well as on our beneficiaries — regardless of the type of cleft they have.”

 

Though children around the world suffer from both unilateral and bilateral clefts, traditional cleft lip/palate simulators have only addressed unilateral clefts. This Simulator goes beyond that, introducing a tool that can address bilateral clefts (i.e., involving both sides of the mouth). This additional functionality opens the doors for surgeons and trainees to be able to treat more children with refined techniques. 

 

Built with 3D technology, the Simulator uses printed materials to resemble the anatomy and different kinds of tissue, such as skin, muscle, and fat, found inside the mouth to create one of the most realistic models available today. In addition to the advanced technology, the musculature and soft-tissue layers were developed from literature descriptions and consultations with expert cleft surgeons. When local surgeons have access to the most advanced tools, it builds their capacity to provide the best care possible and empowers them to perform surgery safely no matter where they are in the world. 

 

“Surgeons in low- and middle-income countries often face significant barriers to ongoing training. This simulator is more than just a revolution in training technology,” said Dr. Roberto L. Flores, the Joseph G. McCarthy Associate Professor of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Director of Cleft Lip and Palate at NYU Langone Health, and Member of Smile Train’s Global Medical Advisory Board. “It’s a way to advance equity, ensuring that a talented surgeon in Malawi has the same training opportunities as a surgeon in Dallas, and that babies born with a unilateral or bilateral cleft lip/palate have access to the same standard of care no matter where they live.”

 

“The Philippine Association of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeons (PAPRAS) is honored to be a part of this global launch,” said Dr. Benjamin G. Herbosa, PAPRAS President. “This technology does not only allow us to provide more opportunities for learning, but also helps to encourage and inspire new surgeons to learn more about cleft surgery.  We recognize Smile Train’s investments in innovation to further empower cleft professionals around the world.  We are grateful to be a partner in this endeavor,” adds Herbosa.

 

With Simulare Medical handmaking its Simulators at its facilities in Canada, the division can ensure that each product is high-quality and will have an even greater impact on the patients who benefit from it. In international studies and training workshops, Simulare Medical surgical simulators are consistently recognized as a high-impact, hands-on, and low-cost way to develop and enhance surgical skills with no risk to patients.

Read more about access to safe, high-quality surgical training at smiletrain.org/simulare. To learn more about Smile Train's global efforts, please visit smiletrain.org. Follow @SmileTrain on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram for updates on Simulare technology and training. 

Smile Train Celebrates Women’s Month with Smile Train Ambassadors

 

To commemorate this year’s National Women’s Month as well as International Women’s Day with the theme #BreaktheBias, Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft-focused organization, celebrates women who empower others to go against bias and stigma brought about by physical differences, and promotes a more welcoming and inclusive society for all individuals born with a cleft.

 

Individuals born with a cleft lip and/or palate often experience bullying and are subjected to stigma based on their physical differences. They face these difficulties on top of other challenges such as difficulties in eating, breathing, and speaking.  

 

“Creating an environment that is welcoming and non-judgmental underpins our advocacy of helping those born with a cleft lip and/or palate. Our goal is not only to provide them with the proper cleft care treatment and services, but also to join others to help eliminate the bias and stigma they face,’’ shared Kimmy Coseteng-Flaviano, Vice President, Smile Train South East Asia. 

 

 

Woman to woman: Smile Makers share messages for NWMC

 

Celebrity Smile Makers

In time for the National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC), Smile Train Global Ambassador Catriona Grayshared how Smile Train in the Philippines has supported over 65,000 free life-changing cleft surgeries. She shared, “We want to [deliver] treatment to girls and women, to give them the confidence and opportunities they need to pursue their dreams. Together we can all create a world where difference is valued and celebrated.”

 

Long time Smile Maker Marian Rivera expressed that all the women who have created an impact on one's life should be celebrated since they have given care and guidance especially to those who are struggling with cleft. “This Women’s Month, we should continue to fight for our rights as women,” shared Rivera. Barbie Forteza also wished to bring the spotlight on all the women in the cleft community, such as doctors, nurses, social workers, dentists, and other medical professionals who have impacted the lives of children with clefts as well as their families. 

 

Smile Train Partners

 

 

(From L-R) Smile Train partner and anesthesiologist Dr. Ny Arizala, and Smile Train supporter and endurance runner Marge Camacho

 

Smile Train partner and anesthesiologist Dr. Ny Arizala said, “The role of women in today’s world can never be undermined. Let’s recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of women in improving access to cleft care here and around the world.” Smile Train supporter and Endurance runner Marge Camacho also expressed, “In today’s world where women have overwhelmingly shown we can do anything we put our minds to, there is no room for bias and discrimination. Let’s work together to empower and enable girls born with a cleft who continue to face stigma and difficulties.”

 

Smile Train Patients

 

Smile Train Volunteer and real estate professional, Cris Magallanes

 

From once being a Smile Train patient and beneficiary, and now a real estate professional and Smile Train supporter, Cris Magallanes shared “Sa Buwan ng Kababaihan, isulong natin ang isang mundong malaya sa diskriminasyon, kung saan lahat ay tinatanggap nang walang panghuhusga. Kasama ng Smile Train, tuloy kong susuportahan ang mga tao at mga babaeng may cleft upang maranasan nila ang mapagtanggap na buhay at marating ang kanilang mga pangarap.”

 

(For Women’s Month, let us advance a world free of discrimination, where everyone is accepted without judgment. With Smile Train, I will continue to support people and women with clefts so that they can experience a welcoming life and reach their dreams.)

 

Smile Train patient, baby Lexine with mommy Noelyn Solano

 

While a mother of Smile Train patient baby Lexine, Noelyn Solano, shared a message to fellow moms, “Saludo ako sa lahat ng kababaihan, lalo na sa mga nanay ng mga batang may cleft, na patuloy na nagsisikap at nagsasakripisyo para mabigyan ng magandang kinabukasan ang kanilang mga anak. Nagpapasalamat ako sa Smile Train at sa lahat ng mga partners nito sa pagtulong sa amin na makamit ang pangarap na iyon para sa aming mga anak.”  

 

(I salute all the women, especially the mothers of children with clefts, who continue to work hard and sacrifice to provide a better future for their children. I am grateful to Smile Train and all its partners for helping us achieve that dream for our children.)

 

“We are thankful for the women in our organization, especially the mothers of those with clefts, who continue to encourage and support us and of course their children. It is through their encouragement that we can create an environment that is welcoming and accepting. It is our Smile Makers — women volunteers, mothers, and ambassadors, who help normalize cleft as a medical concern that can be treated through surgery, rather than it being a source of stigma and bias,” said Flaviano. 

 

While it is a continuous journey to fight the stigma brought about by cleft, Smile Train wishes to create life-changing experiences that can empower women through positive changes in their body. Through their cleft treatment and services, Smile Train works toward a more inclusive and welcoming community for women in the Philippines. 

 

To know more about Smile Train’s global efforts and ways to donate, please visit smiletrain.org. To learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines or to refer a patient in need, please visit smiletrain.ph/get-help. Follow Smile Train Philippines on Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines.

Smile Train and GSK Consumer Healthcare Support Cleft Orthodontics Webinar

 The world’s leading cleft-focused organization, Smile Train and GSK Consumer Healthcare supported a three-day Comprehensive Cleft Care Webinar series organized by the Association of Philippine Orthodontists (APO).  

 

There were 518 participants from 26 countries registered for the webinar series. The highly informative online sessions featured discussions on various stages of cleft treatment for a child born with a cleft, with particular focus on the cleft orthodontics.  The impressive panel of speakers included oral and maxillofacial surgeons, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, pediatric dentists, orthodontists, prosthodontist, speech pathologist, and pediatrician, who have many years of cleft and craniofacial experience. Many of the speakers work or have been trained at Smile Train’s partner, the Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation of the Philippines.   

 

Also joining the panel was Dr. Alvaro Figueroa, a member of Smile Train’s Global Medical Advisory Board. With more than forty years of experience in treating patients with complex dental problems and craniofacial anomalies, Dr. Figueroa shared his extensive knowledge on orthognathic surgery and treatment protocols for cleft and craniofacial patients.

 

“Individuals born with a cleft require various types of dental and orthodontic treatments throughout their lifetime,” said Kimmy Coseteng-Flaviano, Smile Train Vice President, South East Asia. “This webinar series is reflective of our continued commitment to empowering local medical professionals and enabling them to provide safe, quality and timely cleft care for cleft-affected individuals who depend on us.”

 

“GSK Consumer Healthcare is proud to partner with Smile Train to increase awareness about clefts. Together we are committed to helping more people born with clefts to gain access to quality healthcare and to advance cleft care across the world,” said Emerson Aguinaldo, General Manager, Southeast Asia and Taiwan, GSK Consumer Healthcare.  To date our partnership has delivered 13,500 life changing cleft surgeries, training for over 8,800 healthcare professionals, and supported 38,000 families.

 

In 2021, with the support of GSK Consumer Healthcare and Smile Train, the World Dental Federation (FDI) released Oral Health Guidelines for comprehensive cleft care.    

 

“This webinar series enables orthodontists, and other cleft professionals, not only in the Philippines but in other countries to learn more about the specialized field of cleft orthodontics, and ensure they gain the necessary skills to support cleft-affected individuals,” shared Dr. Janet Pandan, President of the Association of Philippine Orthodontists. “We are proud to work with Smile Train and GSK Consumer Healthcare, and thankful for their continued support as we strengthen the knowledge and capacities not only of our member dentists but also share that knowledge with our fellow practitioners across the region.”  

 

For more information about the GSK Consumer Healthcare Smile Train partnership click here: https://www.gsksmiles.com/en-us/. To learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines, please visitsmiletrain.ph, follow Smile Train Philippines on Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines. And you help spread the smiles by donating to Smile Train here: www.smiletrain.org.

 

Smile Train Philippines’ Virtual Telehealth and other Speech Therapy programs were recognized for the second consecutive year

In the Philippines, where more than 5,000 babies are born with a cleft lip and/or palate every year, access to various cleft-related treatments such as speech therapy remains vital. This is especially true during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when ensuring patients can continue their speech therapy sessions became a pressing concern. 

 

Standing by its commitment to continue promoting comprehensive cleft care, Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft-focused organization, endeavored to bring its speech therapy programs direct to patients by launching the country’s first Filipino speech therapy mobile application. The platform allows more patients born with a cleft to continue receiving comprehensive cleft care with greater ease using their smartphones. (The Smile Train Filipino mobile speech application is free and downloadable on both Apple and Google Play Store. Visit https://smiletrainspeechapp.com/ for more feature details.)

The impact of this innovative application as well as Smile Train’s telehealth services were recognized at the 57^thAnvil Awards, winning the Silver Award.

 

“As Smile Train strives to create a brighter future for Filipinos born with a cleft, we are grateful to receive this recognition for the second time as this is a testament of our organization’s efforts to bring uninterrupted care and convenient access to patients amidst the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Kimmy Coseteng-Flaviano, Vice President, Smile Train South East Asia. 

 

Since the programs were launched in 2020, Smile Train’s speech telehealth and therapy programs in the Philippines have treated over 300 patients, providing them with more than 2,000 cleft care-related sessions—including speech therapy, nutritional support, breastfeeding guidance for mothers of babies with clefts, pre-surgical consultations, and psychosocial care. From 2020 to 2021, Smile Train and its 26 partners supported a total of 2,125 sessions for over 223 individuals for speech services alone. Despite COVID-19 restrictions, patients still have access to Smile Train’s services and are still able to schedule surgeries in partner hospitals.

 

“Smile Train has always been committed to exploring various avenues and utilizing technology to provide comprehensive cleft care to reach more patients and communities in the country,” shared Flaviano. “All these programs built on the earlier successes of Smile Train’s efforts at the onset of the pandemic, notably Speech Camp 2020, which is a series of virtual therapy classes and discussions conducted by speech language pathologists and medical professionals.”

 

To know more about Smile Train’s global efforts and to donate, please visit smiletrain.org. To learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines and to refer a patient in need, please visit smiletrain.ph/get-help. Follow Smile Train Philippines on Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines.

 

Smile Train has proven its steadfast commitment to a vision of a world where Filipinos have access to free comprehensive cleft care

As the global pandemic approaches its third year, there is no denying that COVID-19 has been everyone’s paramount health concern. However, as many continue to live with the pandemic, Smile Train recognizes that children born with a cleft lip and/or palate still face serious health implications from this condition. 

 

The challenges posed by the pandemic have pushed Smile Train to become even more focused and persistent in its work. It was able to provide 2,500 cleft surgeries in 2021 -- 750 more than in the previous year. By leveraging technology to ensure access to much-needed services, Smile Train also enabled more medical professionals to offer telehealth consultations and speech therapy sessions. 

“Throughout last year, we wanted our beneficiaries to know that Smile Train services are ongoing and have never stopped. We want our patients to know that hope is not lost. While we stay at home for everyone’s safety, Smile Train worked hard to innovate and create programs to reach more Filipinos in need,” said Kimmy Coseteng-Flaviano, Smile Train Vice President, South East Asia. 

 

For many Filipinos, the pandemic caused a temporary disruption to their lives due to mobility restrictions. However, through the first Filipino Speech Therapy App by developed by Smile Train and its Speech Telehealth Program, patients can continue to receive their treatment and guidance from healthcare professionals in the comfort and safety of their homes. 

 

The Speech Therapy App is a free mobile application, designed to help patients who have received surgery for their cleft palate. Since its launch in 2021, the application has reached an audience of 50,053 Filipinos for continued treatment and services. The app also features a wide array of educational videos and speech therapy sessions in Filipino, with features and content for young patients. The application is available for download on the App Storeand Google Play.

 

On the other hand, Smile Train’s Telehealth program connects patients and guardians to healthcare practitioners for consultations, health education, and assessments via WhatsApp, Skype, and Zoom, on any device. This program has provided patients with more than 2,000 cleft care-related sessions, covering speech therapy, nutritional support, breastfeeding guidance for mothers of babies with clefts, pre-surgical consultations, and psychosocial care.

 

Aside from continued treatment for current patients, Smile Train endeavors to reach more cleft-affected individuals and their families in need. In the first quarter of 2021, the charity launched Cleft Con Philippines, the first-of-its-kind conference, streamed through Smile Train Philippines’ official Facebook page. Cleft Con was a  series of discussions from experts who discussed various aspects of cleft care, such as breastfeeding babies with a cleft, oral hygiene tips, surgery, the importance of speech therapy and building one’s self-confidence. 

 

With the successful launch of Cleft Con Philippines, the charity, in partnership with RMN Foundation and Radio Mindanao Network, launched Cleft Con Radio, a series of discussions covering comprehensive cleft care that aired in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro. 

 

Another milestone for Smile Train is the launch of its first Comprehensive Cleft Center in Cebu. Located at ARC Hospital in Lapu-Lapu City, the center aims to make cleft care services more accessible to individuals and families in the region. 

 

While the charity organization expanded its reach and services, Smile Train Philippines also continues to supportmedical professionals involved in providing cleft care by offering them education and training opportunities for developing their skills further and exchanging best practices with other experts around the world. By supporting cleft professionals, cleft-affected individuals and their families can ultimately receive safe, high-quality, and timely care throughout the year. 

 

“We’re coming into 2022 with the determination to help more people in need. Despite the challenges of the current times, Smile Train continues to innovate and improve access to comprehensive cleft care for the tens and thousands of Filipinos depending on us,” said Flaviano.

 

Smile Train has proven its steadfast commitment to a vision of a world where Filipinos have access to free comprehensive cleft care and can live a healthy life. As the pandemic continues to worry Filipinos, receiving comprehensive cleft care can be one less worry with Smile Train Philippines. 

 

For more information about Smile Train’s global efforts and to donate, please visit smiletrain.org. To learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines, please visit smiletrain.ph, follow Smile Train Philippines on Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines