Smile Network International

Smile Network's Mission

In as little as 45 minutes and for just $500, a life is changed.

Smile Network International, a non-profit based in Minnesota, is dedicated to providing free cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries to children in need worldwide. By helping to correct these conditions, we’re not just changing smiles; we’re restoring lives.

Every donation is treated with the utmost care. The American Institute of Philanthropy recognizes charities that spend 70% or more of their funds on programs as highly efficient. Smile Network goes beyond that, allocating 80-89% of every dollar directly to program services, based on our audited financials. Our commitment ensures that donations go where they are needed most: life-changing surgeries for children.

Since 2003, Smile Network has deployed all-volunteer teams of medical professionals to underserved areas, providing surgeries to more than 4,600 children worldwide. While our volunteers generously donate their time and expertise and medical suppliers contribute resources, we still rely on donations to cover essential costs like travel, lodging, and medications. That’s why, for just $500, each surgery creates a lasting impact for a child in need.

Tribal Nation Oral Health Campaigns

Our mission has expanded to address urgent oral health needs here in the United States. After three years of preparation, we are proud to announce our first Tribal Nation Oral Health Campaign, conducted in partnership with the Standing Rock Tribe in McLaughlin, South Dakota.

In many rural U.S. communities, especially on Tribal lands, dental care is severely lacking. This October, alongside Boger Dental, we provided dental care to 167 students from kindergarten through eighth grade, many of whom had never seen a dentist. For over 60 of these children, urgent dental issues were identified, highlighting the need for ongoing care to prevent serious health issues, emergency visits, and potential hospitalizations.

Smile Network and Boger Dental are committed to returning to Standing Rock in the spring and fall of 2025, continuing to provide preventative care and helping to bridge this healthcare gap.

Your support makes all the difference. Together, we can give more children the gift of a smile and better health for a brighter future.