DONATION SITES
We send toothbrushes to many parts of the world and our reach continues to grow.
We pool donations for each location and send the toothbrushes or cash equivalent to donation partners. We ensure that instruction is given on proper dental practices to ensure the greatest benefit of the donations.
Each donation location is unique, so we empower our donation partners to choose the best way to work with local communities to distribute toothbrushes. Toothbrush distribution usually happens along side other medical treatments.
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Supporting the Urunji Child-Care Trust, we reached more than 1600 children. Only 7 ever used a toothbrush. A session was conducted to educate proper use of the toothbrushes. "The photos speak hope" - Ian, Director at Urunji Child Care and Trust.
MALAWI
Synced Smiles served the children of ACODEV in Uganda in the areas of Nyakiyumbo, Bwera, and Karambi. Of the 260 children under their care, only 10 ever owned a toothbrush. Upon telling the children they would be receiving toothbrushes, they clapped in joy.
UGANDA
A super typhoon and earthquake affected over 13 million people and left almost 2 million homeless. 40% of the people in the Philippines live on less than $2 per day. Synced Smiles donated over 10,000 toothbrushes to earthquake victims in Leyte .
PHILIPPINES
ECUADOR
The region where we traveled is a rural area located in the Amazon basin outside of Tena, Ecuador
We saw 584 patients during our 6 clinic days and each one received a toothbrush, toothpaste, and all children under 12 received fluoride treatments. For many of them, this was the first toothbrush they've ever owned. The remaining toothbrushes are waiting to be packed up and distributed to our other international clinics in the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and Quito, Ecuador.
These toothbrushes really do make a difference in the lives and well being of our patients.
-Julia
CAMBODIA
A Chance Meeting
It felt almost like a destined encounter when we met Gina at the hotel lobby of where we were staying. We found out that Gina was from the San Francisco Bay Area too, and was on her way to volunteer at an orphanage. Gina was happy to help take donation boxes of approximately 3,000 toothbrushes (on the left) on a 6 hour boat ride from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh to deliver toothbrushes to the children at the Cambodian Children's Fund.
PHILIPPINES
Sto. Nino Elementary School in Getafe, Bohol
We loved capturing the enthusiasm the children shared when taught proper brushing technique. It is our hope that this lesson on how to brush imparts curiosity and a habit that will stay with the children their entire lives for better health and overall well being. A special thank you to Jamie Membreve who was instrumental in bringing together supplies for yet another school year for these children.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
Irvin Silverstein, DDS, MSEd, a major proponent to the success of the University of California, San Diego Student-Run Free Dental Clinic Project shared a story with us:
"A young boy we were treating looked as if he had a habit of brushing his teeth, however not every day. When we asked him why he didn't brush every day, we didn't get an answer. Slowly, the little boy opened up and said, 'I would like to brush every day, but I have 6 brothers and sisters, and we share a toothbrush. It is hard for me to brush every day'."
THANK YOU NOTES
