Alliance for Smiles organizes and sends teams to under-served countries for medical missions that last from one to two weeks. The team is comprised of approximately 12 medical volunteers, supported by approximately 4 non-medical volunteers. During a typical mission 50 to 80 children receive free treatment for cleft lip and 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 to provide follow-up care

AfS provides care to all patients regardless of race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, national origin, economic status, educational background, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, or marital status.

Depending on the needs of the community and local medical team, we provide basic and advanced care training to local nurses, doctors, and medical students so they can continue to provide treatment to cleft patients after we leave. During the Covid-19 pandemic, when international travel was impossible, we began to deliver this training remotely under our newly developed Virtual Education Initiative. We plan to continue with this initiative even after we resume in-person missions.