Smile Train is the largest cleft-focused nonprofit organization with a unique model of true sustainability. Smile Train provides training, funding, and resources to empower local medical professionals in over 70 countries all around the world to provide 100%-free cleft surgery and other forms of essential cleft care so that their patients can receive care from providers in their own communities.

What is cleft lip/palate and why is it important to receive treatment?

Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that occur when a baby's mouth or lip do not form properly during pregnancy, resulting in openings or splits in the roof of the mouth and/or lip. This can cause many complications for the child, such as difficulty feeding, nasal airway impairment, ear infections, hearing loss, speech difficulties, and dental problems. Smile Train believes that every individual affected by a cleft deserves the ability to live a happy, healthy, and productive life. That journey to living a healthy life starts with a smile, but that is only just the beginning. In addition to life-changing surgery, Smile Train provides essential care such as speech therapy, emotional support, nutrition services, and orthodontic treatment to these children.

We hope you will consider sponsoring our event because it will greatly help change the lives of children suffering from clefts all around the world. Our goal is to provide at least 40 free cleft surgeries to children by raising $10,000.

Together, we can help ensure every cleft-affected child and family has a reason to smile!

Smiles at the Cinema: Smile Train Fundraiser

By Pre-Dental Society at Louisiana State University

Smiles at the Cinema: Smile Train Fundraiser

Sponsored by: Dr. Richard Akin Oral Surgery, Dr. Roy Cantrelle at LA Dental Center, and Celebrity Theatres

Team Members