To repair children's broken smiles, establish cleft treatment centers, and foster ancillary humanitarian projects in underserved areas of China through international collaboration among medical and non-medical volunteers and corporate and individual sponsors.
Alliance for Smiles, Inc. (AFS) will function as an international service project with the following goals:
To provide free comprehensive treatment including reconstructive surgery and dental treatment to children born with cleft lip and palate anomalies in under-served areas of China.
To provide education and exchange of ideas concerning comprehensive treatment procedures with local professionals, to empower and inspire them to support free programs within their own country.
To develop and implement programs and centers to identify causes and support preventive measures to reduce the incidence of cleft lip and palate.
To foster awareness of the necessity to provide timely comprehensive care for all cleft lip and palate anomalies.
To actively encourage ancillary humanitarian projects by other support groups.
To create international understanding and goodwill by building bridges of friendship among all
people.
Medical Missions
Alliance for Smiles organizes and sends surgical teams to China for two week missions. A surgical team is comprised of approximately 20 volunteer plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, pediatricians, nurses and dentists. They are supported by 10 non-medical Rotary volunteers. During a mission, 80 to 120 underserved children receive surgery for cleft lip & palate anomalies. The AFS team works side-by-side with local medical practitioners to exchange ideas on proper medical techniques and procedures, as well as provide follow-up care.
Development of Cleft Centers
Alliance for Smiles also helps to establish and maintain permanent centers to provide follow-up treatment and continuing care to children who have received surgery.The objectives and activities of the centers include dental treatment, speech therapy, parental counseling and psychological counseling.
