We wish we lived in a world where every child had access to safe affordable surgery but we don’t so Smile for ME has been created to provide exceptional surgical care to those who most need it. We believe we can make a difference by something as simple as volunteering our time & expertise, providing excellent surgical care to those who lack access to safe affordable surgery. We want each & every c
hild to be able to lead healthy & productive lives. As long as there are children in the Philippines who need our help we will continue to dedicate our time to transforming lives. Cleft deformities are most common in the developing world, especially in asian populations. In the Philippines 1-2 in every 1000 births are born with a cleft deformity. There are not enough Filipino surgeons to be able to meet the needs of the population with cleft deformities. Many families can not afford the treatment required & turn to foreign medical missions to fill the gap in the health system in the Philippines. The surgical procedures our team completes are:
Cleft Lip Repair - The surgeon ideally repairs the cleft lip between the ages 3-6 months for best results. The surgery is done under a general anaesthetic & involves repairing the lips & nostrils as required to provide symmetry & functionality. Various techniques can be used to repair either a unilateral (one sided defect) or bilateral (both sides affected) defects by rotating or advancing the structures of the lip & nostrils. Closing the cleft in the lip can help prevent malnutrition as it allows the children to feed properly. Cleft Palate Repair - Cleft palate repairs are recommended between the ages of 12-18 months for best results. The surgery involves connecting the muscles of the soft palate & rearranging the tissues to close the cleft in the roof of the mouth. The goal of the surgery is to provide a palate that allows the child to speak properly. Ongoing surgery is often required as facial structures change. Dental - Children with cleft deformities can often have more dental problems than other children. The removal of teeth is often required prior to surgery to allow for the surgery to close the cleft.
