A Single, Solvable Problem: Cleft Lip and Palate

Many children around the world are living with untreated clefts.
Most have difficulties eating, breathing, hearing, and speaking.

What is Cleft?

  • 35000

    children born with a cleft lip/palate annually in India.

  • 25000

    can cover the cost of a cleft surgery.

  • 45

    minutes can change a child’s life forever.

One Goal: To Give Every Child the Chance to Smile

Smile Train is an international children’s charity that supports 100%-free cleft repair surgery and comprehensive cleft care for children globally. Our sustainable model empowers local medical professionals to provide cleft care in their own communities.

Learn About Our Model

Comprehensive Care

Every child with a cleft needs more than just surgery — they may also need orthodontics, speech therapy, or nutritional support. Where these services are available, we aim to provide them to our patients.

Sustainable Model

We use the 'teach a man to fish' model focusing on training and empowering local doctors to provide comprehensive cleft care in their own communities.

Our Impact

365 days a year, a child in India receives their life-changing cleft repair surgery by one of Smile Train India's 235+ partner surgeons.

News & Stories

Arushi Aryan: The Rising Star from Jammu

A vocalist, an instrumentalist, a music composer already, and it would not be long before Arushi climbs up the ladder of success!

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I Wasn’t Prepared for Anmolpreet to Have a Cleft, Too

Tarsem lives in a small village in Punjab, India, with her husband and their three children. Her youngest, 11-year-old Anmolpreet, is a Smile Train patient. This is her story...

Dr. Shruti Bijapur Levels the Playing Field for Children with Clefts in India

Dr. Shruti Bijapur is a specialist in cleft orthodontics at our partner Bhagwan Mahveer Jain Hospital (BMJH), a Cleft Leadership Center in Bangalore, India. In honor of...

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