Operation Smile Dominican Republic, one of approximately 35 Foundations that support the international medical charity Operation Smile, Inc., just recently achieved a notable milestone in its experience as a provider of safe and free surgical procedures to repair cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities. This month at a medical mission in Santo Domingo, Operation Smile Dominican Republic operated on its 1,000th patient.

Since 2009, Operation Smile Dominican Republic has successfully conducted 17 missions throughout the country, aiding a thousand children and young adults with untreated cleft lips and cleft palates. The nonprofit conducts medical missions in La Romana, La Vega and Santo Domingo. In partnership with the Dominican Republic Ministry of Health, the organization has also developed a national patient registry of babies born with clefts. 

In addition to ongoing medical and training programs, Operation Smile Dominican Republic is joining the global UNTIL WE HEAL movement. The campaign urges people from all over the world to sign a pledge of support and encourages global leaders to address the significant lack of access to safe surgeries.

Operation Smile Dominican Republic is one of the 14 Latin American countries participating in the campaign. The UNTIL WE HEAL campaign aims to inspire a global movement and empower people to advocate for untreated cleft patients.