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Dedicated to improving the oral health of under privileged children
in Southeast Asia, and promote the spirit of volunteering.
Pacific Smile is a non profit program which mission is to provide charitable dental care and preventive dental health education to orphaned and underprivileged children along the Pacific Rim with a concentration in South East Asia. Volunteer dentist, hygienist, dental assistants, and non-medical volunteers deliver treatment and preventive care in partnerships with local local organizations that serve children in schools. orphanages, and remote villages.
The programs success is measured by how well we prevent and treat dental disease for these underprivileged children. Since 2011 we have treated over 400 children in Vietnam and Mexico.
MARCH 10TH - MARCH 26, 2018
This trip to Da Nang, Vietnam was special because the Vietnamese TV stations VTV1and VTV9 were filming our dental mission and wedding on the beach for the documentary about Dao called the "Magic of Dao". The mission started with a visit to Thanh Pho Infant Orphanage where we spent the morning playing with the babies and donating much needed milk and diapers. Next day was our annual visit to Hoa May Orphanage, providing education gifts, toothbrushes and toothpaste to the 90 children. With the generous help of Furama Resort and Dr Thanh Nha, 20 children received dental treatment over the next few days. The mission concluded with a beautiful wedding on Furama Resort's beachfront attended by family and friends. The film, "Magic of Dao" was released January 2019!
READ MOREAPRIL 30 - MAY 15, 2017
First stop was Siagon where we made dental donations to the Thanh Am Special School for children with HIV/AIDS. We spent the afternoon playing with the children and handing out Disney stickers that they really enjoy. Next stop is the coastal city, Da Nang, a 1 hour flight from Saigon. After shopping for gifts and school supplies in downtown Da Nang, we visited the Hoa May Orphanage to distribute gifts to the children. With the assistance of Michelle French (age 5) acting as a Vietnamese translator, all the children receive exams. Cavities were noted on 11 children, which through the generosity of Furama Resort (providing transportation) and the Thanh Nha Dental clinic, the children received dental treatment. As always, for the children’s good behavior, the trip back from the dental clinic always includes a stop at the local ice cream parlor.
READ MOREJULY 1st - 5th, 2016
With the help of a local dentist, Dr. Pham, and transportation provided by Furama Resort, we provided dental treatment to 45 children in a Da Nang orphanage. The first day, with my daughter, Michelle helping me translate, we conducted dental exams to access the needs of the children and hand out toys to smiling faces.
READ MOREJULY 6TH - 8TH, 2016
We re-visited Mai Tam Shelter for HIV children in Saigon to provide Fl treatment, and distribute toothbrush kits to all the children. And spent some time discussing with the priest how we can provide much needed dental treatment on our next trip to Vietnam.
READ MOREDa Nang, Pleiku & Saigon, Vietnam
DECEMBER 16 - JANUARY 6, 2015
Da Nang- volunteer with East Meets West Foundation providing dental treatment to children at their dental clinic. Pleiku- volunteer with the Diocese of Kontum providing dental treatment to the girls in Kim Phuoc Boarding School. Saigon- meetings with Ms Hang, Director of Eviva Travel and Dr Andrew Tsang of Journey for Smiles.
READ MOREMARCH 6TH - 9TH, 2013
Aid for Kids - Since 1999 has been arranging Dental Outreach Programs to provide dental care to children in orphanages, street children centers and in high poverty stricken areas where dental hygiene is almost unknown. Working with Joy Degenhardt, Director of International Development, we visited the Center of Rehabilitation which support handicap children in Ho Chi Minh to access the children’s dental needs.
READ MOREFEBRUARY 26TH - MARCH 4TH, 2013
Lantern’s Vietnamese Restaurant, owner Robert Costabile, escorted us to a remote orphanage (Chua Phat Bou Orphanage) headed by a Buddhist Monk. Robert, through his restaurant, has been working with 12 local schools/orphanages to provide support, scholarship programs. and food supplies since 2006 in the Khahn Hoa providence.
READ MORENOVEMBER 18TH - 24TH, 2012
First time to San Jose del Cabo, so we had several meetings with local social workers to find the organization that most needed oral health care. Sarahuaro Foundation has been providing social service that improves the quality of life for low income women and children since 2005.
READ MOREDECEMBER 3RD - 20TH, 2011
Journey for Smiles provided us a location, Westcoast International Dental and volunteer dental assistants to assist us in treating children from a local HIV orphanage. These children face discrimination due to being HIV-Positive and are in desperate need of dental care. As always the children we saw were extremely sweet and well behaved.
READ MORE
We love our work and we love sharing it too! Over the years we've treated many patients but met just as many wonderful people in the process. Here are some of our favorite photos and fondest memories from past missions.
Pacific Smiles overseas missions are funded by the organization's many generous contributors. Their contributions have helped touch and improve the lives of hundreds of children that would not ordinarily receive proper oral health care and education.
Pacific Smiles is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization providing free dental treatment and education for children in need worldwide.
Your contributions will help bring countless smiles to those who need them most. To support Pacific Smiles, you can use the paypal link on the right which accepts all major credit cards. Additionally, you can contact us via the form below to help collaborate in other ways you can be a part of our future missions.
Help support our cause by buying tickets and attending our 3rd annual charity gala.
Please don't hesitate to get in touch with us and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
889 Buckthorn Drive
Murphys, CA
United States
Phone: +510 821 1220
Fax: +510 821 4100
Email: mfrenchdds@mac.com
Website: www.pacific-smiles.org
