Smiles Foundation
is a registered Canadian charitable organisation. It is a sister foundation
to Fundacion para la Prevencion y la Salud Bucal de los Niños
(commonly referred to as Sonrisas) in the Dominican Republic.
Both foundations have the same President, mission and goals. The Canadian
foundation was registered in 1998 to support the programs in the Dominican
Republic. For 16 years, Sonrisas has been dedicated to improving
the health of the Dominican population with special emphasis placed
upon the education and treatment of children.
Sonrisas has expanded its reach significantly with seven permanent
and five mobile units. However, its dedication to oral health and education
continues. These clinics were the first in the country and continue to be the only ones
to offer dental treatments at no cost to children and at less than half
the cost of private clinics to adults. They act as both treatment
and education centres and have become an integral part of the communities.
In the Dominican Republic there is a staff of 125 employees and over
250 volunteers
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