A thousand smiles

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Craniofacial Surgery
• Pediatric Care

Background:

• The Thousand Smiles program has offered multidisciplinary cleft palate and related care in Ensenada, Mexico, for 21 years.
• The program's inception involved dedicated individuals and support from Rotary International.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the establishment and operational structure of an international medical mission program.
• To share insights and lessons learned from conducting long-term cleft care missions.
• To highlight the transformative impact on both patients and healthcare providers.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of program development and operational history.
• Description of the multidisciplinary team structure and care delivery model.
• Qualitative insights into the experiences of participants and beneficiaries.

Main Results:

• The program has sustained cleft care services for over two decades.
• Established a functional multidisciplinary team model for international medical missions.
• Documented significant positive changes in the lives of patients and care providers.

Conclusions:

• International medical missions require dedicated leadership and structured support.
• Multidisciplinary approaches are crucial for effective cleft care delivery.
• Such programs foster mutual growth and positive life changes for all involved.