Operation Smile Programs Overview Operation Smile Program

Operation Smile Programs Overview

Operation Smile Program Overview

Operation Smile Overview

Operation Smile Program Overview

Operation Smile Program Overview

Cleft palate and cleft lip are among the most common birth defects occurring today (NIDCR, 2011). Together, these conditions occur in 0.17% of all births in the United States and between 2004 and 2006 represented 7,088 cases annually. The lifetime healthcare burden of these birth defects in the U.S. is close to $700 million.

Cleft lip/palate represents the failure of tissues to join during fetal development, which can lead to nursing, feeding, and speech problems (MedlinePlus, 2012). As a result, 10% of these children will die within the first year of life (Kraft, 2011). The social stigma associated with the birth defect is also substantial, contributing to the high mortality rate and lifelong social isolation. Children in poverty-stricken areas of the world are particularly vulnerable because they lack access to health care. In 1982, while working in the Philipines, Dr. William P. Magee and wife Kathleen discovered that many children were faced with lifelong health and social problems, even though treatment could have relieved their suffering. The only thing lacking was funding, and for this reason, the global health care organization Operation Smile was started. Over the years since it was started, millions of evaluations and over 200,000 surgeries have been performed in over 60 countries.

Overview of Programs

Based in Norfolk, Virgina, Operation Smile has helped to establish 35 foundations around the world (Kraft, 2011). These foundations often bring medical care to areas where little to no care is available, providing free medical equipment, medical personnel, evaluations, surgeries, and training for local doctors. Together, these in-country foundations, and the local missions they support, are responsible for 60% of all surgeries performed.

The other 40% of surgeries are provided by international missions, which consist of volunteer medical personnel that travel to participating countries (Kraft, 2011). These volunteers include specially trained surgeons and support personnel, dentists, speech therapists, counselors, and pediatricians. Each visit lasts two weeks, during which 300-500 children are typically evaluated and 100 to 150 surgeries performed.

In addition, 13 comprehensive care centers have been established around the world (Kraft, 2011). Afflicted children often have long-term care needs, including follow-up care post-surgery, speech therapy, psychological counseling, dental care, and nutritional training. These centers are responsible for providing 19% of all surgeries each year. In wealthier countries, Operation Smile assists families with finding professionals able to provide specialized care.

Operation Smile has also been authorized by the American Heart Association to provide international training and certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Basic Life Support (BLS) (Kraft, 2011). To date, 14,000 certificates have been awarded globally through Operation Smile. Operation Smile also administers medical training exchange programs at academic medical centers around the world. This exchange program is designed to provide the specialized training needed for evaluating and treating children born with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities.