Sweet, Shy Pedro Needed Help
Comprehensive cleft care and surgery transformed Pedro’s life. More children like him are waiting.
Together, we can transform lives, communities and local health systems.
Recent Highlights
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Patients
Scenes from Guatemala
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Thought Leadership
Nine Inspiring Moments That Made Us Smile in 2024
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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.
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
Pedro’s cleft lip and palate prevented him from speaking clearly and communicating easily.
While living in a refugee camp in Colombia, Pedro’s mom, Marbelis, found hope and care for her son.
