Quick Facts Smile

• Approx 1 in 500 children is born with a facial deformity.
• In as little as 45 minutes, and for approximately $150 USD, one cleft lip surgery can change a child’s life forever.
• Children with facial deformities who do not receive reconstructive surgery often have difficulty breathing, drinking, eating and speaking. As a result, many suffer from malnutrition, medical and psychological problems.
• Untreated cleft lips and/or cleft palates are far more common in rural Vietnam than urban areas.
• Operation Smile Vietnam has provided free surgeries to approximately 12,000 children since 1989.
• Operation Smile Vietnam invests in sustainable development by participating in Medical training and credentialing.
• Operation Smile Vietnam is part of a global alliance of Operation Smile Foundations and Resource Chapters dedicated to providing free treatment to children and adults suffering from cleft lips and cleft palates.
• Since 1982, more than 115,000 children and young adults have been treated by thousands of Operation Smile volunteers worldwide and thousands of healthcare professionals have been trained globally.
• Operation Smile provides care for children in 51 countries. 9 resource countries raise funds and provide medical volunteers, while 42 program countries receive education and training and conduct surgeries.