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Discover how AI is shaping the future of cleft care. Watch the Film by BBC StoryWorks

One child’s smile becomes a healthier future for an entire community.

Join Operation Smile in creating a better future where every child like Leao has access to the safe surgery they need

Together, we can transform lives, communities and local health systems.

Leao, after surgery

Recent Highlights

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Our Growing Impact on Global Health Equity

Through bold, innovative action, Operation Smile helps communities shape their own models of care to propel lasting change.

420k+

Patients Treated

6,000

Volunteers

37

Countries We Provide Care In

Every three minutes, a child is born with a cleft condition.

This affects their health and futures. We are committed to providing comprehensive cleft care, transforming their lives and strengthening the health systems in their communities.


Where We Work

It began with a single surgical program and grew into a global network united by the belief that high-quality health care is a universal human right, not a privilege.

A World of Care

We work tirelessly to ensure access to high-quality, comprehensive care around the world.

40+

countries Operation Smile has presences in.

China

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in China was held in 1991.

27,000+

Patients Treated

Russia

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Russia was held in 1993.

30

Credentialed Volunteers

Italy

Operation Smile established a presence in Italy in 2000.

100+

Credentialed Volunteers

United States

Bill Magee and Kathy Magee founded Operation Smile in Norfolk, Virginia in 1982.

1,000+

Credentialed Volunteers

Ethiopia

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Ethiopia was held in 2005.

1,900+

Cleft Surgeries Provided

Ireland

Operation Smile established a presence in Ireland in 2004.

50+

Credentialed Volunteers

Australia

Operation Smile established a presence in Australia in 1999.

100+

Credentialed Volunteers

Canada

Operation Smile established a presence in Canada in 2011.

150+

Credentialed Volunteers

Norway

Operation Smile established a presence in Norway in 2023.

10+

Credentialed Volunteers

South Korea

Operation Smile established a presence in South Korea in 2012.

$725,000+

Raised to Support Life-Changing Care

Sweden

Operation Smile established a presence in Sweden in 2010.

175+

Credentialed Volunteers

Switzerland

Operation Smile established a presence in Switzerland in 2015.

2

Credentialed Volunteers

United Kingdom

Operation Smile established a presence in the United Kingdom in 2001.

75+

Credentialed Volunteers

Bolivia

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Bolivia was held in 1999.

6,630+

Cleft Surgeries Provided

Brazil

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Brazil was held in 1997.

6,000+

Cleft Surgeries Provided

Colombia

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Colombia was held in 1988.

23,000+

Cleft Surgeries Provided

Dominican Republic

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in the Dominican Republic was held in 2009.

4,600+

Cleft Surgeries Provided

Ecuador

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Ecuador was held in 1995.

8,000+

Surgeries Provided

Guatemala

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Guatemala was held in 2011.

1,300+

Cleft Surgeries Provided

Honduras

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Honduras was held in 1997.

6,500+

Patients Treated

Mexico

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Mexico was held in 2006.

6,400+

Surgeries Provided

Panama

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Panama was held in 1991.

4,500+

Cleft Surgeries

Paraguay

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Paraguay was held in 2005.

3,400+

Cleft Surgeries

Peru

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Peru was held in 1999.

7,000+

Patients Treated

Venezuela

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Venezuela was held in 1993.

9,000+

Cleft Surgeries Provided

India

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in India was held in 2002.

30,000+

Patients Treated

Myanmar

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Myanmar was held in 2010.

900+

Surgeries Provided

Pakistan

Operation Smile joined forces with the Cleft Lip and Palate Association of Pakistan in 2023.

7

Credentialed Volunteers

Egypt

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Egypt was held in 2006.

4,700+

Cleft Surgeries Provided

Jordan

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Jordan was held in 2000.

4,000+

Cleft Surgeries Provided

United Arab Emirates

Operation Smile established a presence in the United Arab Emirates in 2011.

50+

Credentialed Volunteers

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2009.

2,500+

Surgery Patients

Ghana

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Ghana was held in 2011.

1,900+

Cleft Surgeries Provided

Kenya

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Kenya was held in 1987.

9,000

Patients Treated

Madagascar

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Madagascar was held in 2007.

4,300+

Cleft Surgeries Provided

Malawi

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Malawi was held in 2012.

2,300+

Cleft Surgeries Provided

Mozambique

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Mozambique was held in 2014.

200+

Cleft Surgeries Provided

Rwanda

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Rwanda was held in 2010.

1,900+

Surgeries Provided

South Africa

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in South Africa was held in 2006.

470+

Surgeries Provided

Morocco

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Morocco was held in 1998.

13,000+

Cleft Surgeries Provided

Philippines

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in the Philippines was held in 1982.

45,000+

Patients Treated

Thailand

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Thailand was held in 1997.

12,800+

Patients Treated

Vietnam

Operation Smile’s first surgical program in Vietnam was held in 1989.

66,000+

Patients Treated

Tanzania

Operation Smile established a presence in Tanzania in 2024.

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What Makes Operation Smile Special?

Years of on-the-ground medical care, combined with a love and passion for children with cleft conditions, drive our mission.

More Than 40 Years of Health Care Innovation

We diligently brought comprehensive cleft care to communities that lacked access — and we’ve implemented bold, innovative solutions to health care inequity ever since.

Read our story and impact

Comprehensive Care Model

Because we deeply understand the full complexity of cleft conditions’ impact on children, families and communities, Operation Smile takes care of the whole person.

Learn about our approach to care

Elevating Health Systems

Having access to care close to home is the key to strengthening local health systems. We are training doctors, nurses and whole surgical teams to serve communities around the globe.

Learn about our education programs

More Than 6,000 Volunteers Strong

Operation Smile medical programs are almost entirely volunteer-based, so we rely on medical professionals who can take charge of their roles with confidence, conviction and world-class skill. We have more than 6,000 volunteers from 60 countries, and approximately 80% of our volunteers are from the countries we provide care in.

Learn about our medical volunteers

Get Involved

You can give children a chance to grow up without life-threatening health problems, social stigma, isolation and feelings of hopelessness.

More Ways to Get Involved

Make Your Gift

Your gift today will help transform lives and increase access to essential surgical care.

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