improving oral health
Restoring Smiles with Trust, Honor and Respect.
Since 2003, Smile Network International has provided life-changing cleft repair surgeries and essential healthcare services—free of charge—to under-resourced children and young adults worldwide. Our mission has since expanded to address disparities in oral health, bringing vital dental care to Native American and underserved communities where access is critically limited. The nationwide shortage of licensed dental practitioners has left many rural communities without adequate care. Nowhere is this gap more evident than on Tribal Lands.
After three years of planning, we are proud to announce the successful completion of our first Tribal Nation Dental Health Campaign in October 2024, in partnership with the Standing Rock Tribe in North and South Dakota. Alongside our partner, Boger Dental, we provided dental care to 165 students from kindergarten through eighth grade—many of whom had never seen a dentist. More than 60 children were identified with urgent dental concerns, underscoring the need for continued care to prevent serious health complications, emergency visits, and hospitalizations.
Committed to bridging this healthcare gap, we will return to Standing Rock in April and October 2025 to provide ongoing preventative care and essential dental services.
Together, we can help restore smiles and improve lives for generations to come.
“American Indian and Alaskan Native children have five times as much untreated decay in their permanent teeth from ages six to eight as compared to the general U.S. population. One factor that continues to play a dominant role in this inequality is access to care.”
— 2017 IHS data study
role of tribal liaison
It is the responsibility of the Tribal Liaison to ensure that we honor your unique culture, respectfully recognize historical traditions, and preserve the wisdom of elders as we work together to achieve life-altering outcomes for your people. The Tribal Liaison engages Tribal Leadership to establish trust and facilitate a partnership with Smile Network International to improve oral health.
