Global Smile Foundation

Global Smile Foundation's (GSF) mission is to promote universal cleft care access by providing comprehensive cleft care for underserved patients in LMICs and building global capacity for cleft care practices worldwide through empowerment and sustainability initiatives. Cleft is one of the most common congenital birth defects in the world, occurring on average in 1 in every 700 live births. Without treatment, these children are at greater risk of poor health, malnutrition, and poverty. Unfortunately, the specialized care children born with cleft need is not nearly as common as the problem. In fact, the comprehensive cleft care that is considered standard in places like the United States ... read more Global Smile Foundation's (GSF) mission is to promote universal cleft care access by providing comprehensive cleft care for underserved patients in LMICs and building global capacity for cleft care practices worldwide through empowerment and sustainability initiatives. Cleft is one of the most common congenital birth defects in the world, occurring on average in 1 in every 700 live births. Without treatment, these children are at greater risk of poor health, malnutrition, and poverty. Unfortunately, the specialized care children born with cleft need is not nearly as common as the problem. In fact, the comprehensive cleft care that is considered standard in places like the United States and the United Kingdom is not only extremely limited in developing countries, but virtually nonexistent for families living at the lower end of the socioeconomic spectrum.