Dentsply Sirona’s partnership with Smile Train supports a global cleft care initiative for children in over 90 countries.
Dentsply Sirona announced a 5-year partnership with cleft-focused organization Smile Train and made a $5 million donation to support its global cleft care mission.
The partnership aims to advance cleft care by supporting global treatment standards and best practices for digitized cleft care. It will leverage digital technologies to make treatments more efficient and convenient.
Dentsply Sirona and Smile Train partnership will also provide high-quality equipment to develop state-of-the-art centers for cleft treatment. Dentsply Sirona will make its entire online catalog of clinical education courses available to all Smile Train oral health professionals and offer financial support for cleft surgeries.
Globally, 1 in 700 babies are born with a cleft lip or palate, compromising the child’s ability to communicate and eat properly and often contributing to a crippling social stigma, according to Dentsply Sirona.
Smile Train helps treat more than 1.5 million children in over 90 countries empowering local medical professionals to provide free cleft surgery and essential cleft care in their communities.
Additionally, the partnership includes the development of an International Smile Train Scholars program, supporting in-person and virtual training and learning opportunities for Smile Train dental partners.
A group of 16 scholars are attending DS World 2021, currently taking place in Las Vegas until September 25. There, they are participating in clinical education sessions and growing their professional networks.
“Our partnership with Smile Train will help children around the world gain access to cleft treatment and offer them the chance to live a happy and healthy life,” said Jorge Gomez, chief financial officer, and head of Dentsply Sirona’s sustainability program Beyond. “By also focusing on global treatment standards and best practices, donating innovative technology, and supporting the training and development of local healthcare professionals, the partnership will have an empowering impact on communities and will provide access to the best possible cleft care, for years to come.”
Photo courtesy Dentsply Sirona
