Mothers and Volunteers Unite to Expand Access to Dental Care in Vietnam
Oral diseases affect nearly half the world’s population and are especially common in low- and middle-income countries. That’s why improving access to oral health is a key part of cleft care. Today, Operation Smile advocates for access to safe surgery and comprehensive care in 37 countries — and that includes dental health.
When we spoke to Dr. Hanh Quyên, Head of the Department of Geriatric Dentistry at the Institute for Training in Odonto-Stomatology in Hanoi Medical University and a member of Operation Smile Vietnam’s Medical Advisory Board, she reflected, “Back in 1997, when Operation Smile had been providing cleft surgeries for many years, we realized that the need for dental care was enormous. There are so many children and adults who have never had access to screenings or treatment.”
With that reality in mind, a compassionate team of volunteers from Mommy Dentists in Business (MDIB) gathered in 2025 to provide dental screenings, treatment and education to nearly 5,000 children from low-resourced communities across the Huế Province in Vietnam.
During their collaboration with Operation Smile, over 4,500 children benefitted from health evaluations and more than 1,800 of those kids received treatment, thanks to dentists from MDIB and volunteer dental professionals from Operation Smile Vietnam. Every child also left with oral health supplies and lessons on how best to care for their teeth at home.
This work was a result of three years of planning, fundraising and partnership — all with one goal in mind: building lasting dental health accessibility.
Why Oral Health for Children Matters
As health care professionals and mothers, the dentists of MDIB understand that every child deserves to be cared for. For them, this program was more than about providing dental treatment but also about ensuring kids received the care they need to thrive with confidence.
“We’ve been fundraising for three years to make this happen,” revealed Dr. Grace Yum, a Pediatric Dentist and Founder of MDIB, which she established in 2017 to support mothers working in dentistry. “To treat almost 5,000 children and teach them about oral care — that’s truly a blessing.”
For some, the program was personal, like for Dr. Katie To who was born in Vietnam and has returned as a volunteer and mother, grateful to bring care to the country where her story began. “Being here in Huế, doing this for the children, means so much to me,” she expressed. “We’re not just treating teeth; we’re teaching kids how to take care of themselves. That’s how we create real change.”
For others, like Dr. Marie Buell, the program was a reminder of the transformative power of volunteer work. Dr. Buell started her volunteering journey with Operation Smile in the Philippines years ago and was excited to be part of this program in Vietnam to improve access to lasting care. “Even though we come from different places, we’re all the same,” said Dr. Buell. “We have the same hopes and dreams.”
Throughout the week, one thing stayed constant: the love and care each volunteer brought to every child.
“As mothers, we know what it’s like when our kids are in pain,” said Dr. Yum. “That’s why we’re here — to help these children get the care they deserve.”
This program is one of many efforts led by Operation Smile Vietnam to bring care closer to patients and their communities. From prevention to treatment, our locally led teams are committed to building stronger, more sustainable access to safe, high-quality care.
When local expertise is combined with global support, hope becomes possible. And this partnership is a wonderful testament to that.
