Many Latin American countries have limited access to adequate medical resources and their residents lack sufficient income to afford necessary medical treatment. Austin Smiles has supported these communities for over 35 years, helping to create smiles and improve lives. We work internationally with underserved low-income children and families, offering hope and new opportunities for a better more inclusive life. We provide our patients with access to primary surgeries at a young age, as well as orthodontic/dental care, speech therapy, and ENT services. Austin Smiles has worked to improve the lives of over 5,000 patients, collaborating with our medical partners abroad to provide an excellent continuum of cleft care since 1987.

Medical Mission Trips

Each year, Austin Smiles completes three medical mission trips in partner countries in Latin America, offering surgical and postsurgical care to children born with cleft lip and/or palate who would otherwise go without treatment. Austin Smiles offers a continuum of care to children born with this condition on annual trips to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico, often treating the same children into adulthood.

Become a Medical Mission Volunteer

All medical volunteers must be licensed or certified in their designated field. We need the following types of medical volunteers:

Physicians (Anesthesiologists, emergency medicine, family practice, internal medicine, pediatricians, plastic surgeons, oral/maxillofacial surgeons, ENTs (otolaryngologists)
Registered Nurses practiced in operating room support, post-operative care, recovery room care, patient triage, and intake
Dentists/Orthodontists experienced with Obturators/NAM’s and Cleft Lip & Palate
Certified surgical technologists
Speech & Language pathologists
Certified registered nurse anesthetists
Medical Translators/Volunteers Bilingual in Spanish
Non-medical volunteers to help with various tasks (spots are limited)

Please note that as a mission volunteer you will be required to pay for your trip. Nurses and CST’s can apply for financial assistance.

Become a Mission Volunteer