Bring a Smile to Peru. Change a Life Today
What Do We Do?
Many different organizations offer cleft lip and palate repair, but Sonrisas is different. Instead of surgery, however, we provide free-of charge post-surgical dental aftercare to children and adolescents with cleft lip/palate.
The dental care needs of cleft palate patients are great. I know. I was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. Even after surgery, patients are still quite often left with a diverse range of oral and dental issues, including holes in the roofs of their mouths through which air, liquid and even food can escape. I know. This happens to me.
Much of the focus of Sonrisas will be on the use of oral prosthodontics to cover any oral fissures that may create speech impediments, as well as the use of artificial teeth in some areas to provide a more natural aesthetic result. This was the path of treatment I chose for myself when I was a teenager. It’s rather low-tech, inexpensive and non-invasive, but the results have far exceeded my expectations. Obviously, the needs of each patient are unique, but prosthodontics is one approach that Sonrisas hopes to maximize.
Growing up with a cleft palate is not particularly easy in many regards. Sonrisas will give kids a chance who otherwise wouldn’t have an opportunity to access comprehensive dental care. Dental, orthodontic and prosthodontic care will improve their speaking and appearance and with that their self-esteem and overall mental health. Please help out by donating today.
-Thor Truelson, Founder and Executive Director
What is a Cleft Lip and Palate?
Cleft lip and palate are birth defects that occur when a baby’s lip or mouth doesn’t form properly during pregnancy, resulting in an opening in the upper lip or the roof of the mouth. While surgeries can repair these conditions, many children are left with ongoing challenges, such as difficulties with speech, feeding, and oral hygiene. Post-surgical care is critical to address these issues and improve long-term outcomes.
In Peru, a large number of children are born with cleft lip and palate conditions, which can severely impact their ability to eat, speak, and even breathe properly. These challenges affect not only physical health but also self-esteem and social development. At Sonrisas, we believe that every child deserves access to comprehensive care beyond surgery. Our mission is to provide free post-surgical dental, orthodontic, and prosthodontic care to help these children overcome obstacles and live with confidence, improved speech, and better quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sonrisas is currently partnering with dentists in the Lima area, where treatment is arranged by us through their clinics. In the future we will expand our partnerships with other dentists and clinics in other parts of Peru, with Piura and Cajamarca as our next areas of expansion.
Sonrisas is based in the Pacific Northwest (Washington and Montana).
A cleft lip and palate are congenital conditions in which a baby is born with a gap or opening in the upper lip and/or the roof of the mouth (palate). While surgery is typically required to repair the cleft, ongoing treatment is often necessary. Even after surgery, children may need additional care, such as dental work, orthodontics, and speech therapy, to address challenges with eating, speaking, and breathing and to ensure long-term health and well-being.
You can support Sonrisas by making a donation, volunteering your time and skills, or spreading the word about our mission. Every contribution helps us provide critical post-surgical dental care and ongoing support to children who have undergone cleft lip and palate surgeries. While we do not fund or perform the surgeries, our work ensures that children receive the essential follow-up care they need to live healthier, happier lives.
Yes, all treatment provided by Sonrisas is completely free for the families of the children we help. We are committed to ensuring that no child is denied treatment due to financial constraints.
Sonrisas is based in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, but our work is focused in Peru. We currently partner with dentists in Lima, where we arrange post-surgical dental care through their clinics. In the future, we plan to expand our partnerships with additional dentists and clinics in other regions of Peru, with Piura and Cajamarca as our next areas of growth.
Yes, there are many ways to volunteer with Sonrisas. We need help with administrative tasks, patient support, fundraising, and more. Your contribution is valuable regardless of your background. To volunteer contact [email protected]
You can stay updated by following us on social media, subscribing to our newsletter, or regularly visiting our website. We share stories, updates, and news about our impact and ongoing projects.
Peru has one of the world’s highest rates of children born with cleft lip and/or palate. The causes of this condition are not fully understood, but nutrition (or lack thereof) and heredity play a roll. The incidence of cleft lip and palate is greatest in the central highlands, with estimates of roughly 1 in 700 births. And while the nutritional situation throughout the Andean highlands is often not ideal, the archaeological and ethnohistorical record also hints at additional reasons for the increased prevalence.
Various ceramics (huacos) have been recovered depicting individuals from various classes of society with a cleft lip. Several of these vessels are on display at the Larco Museum, in Lima. These are mostly of Chimú origin. The Chimú were an indigenous people of Peru, who were later incorporated into the Inca Empire. And the fact that they chose to represent cleft lip at all in their ceramics speaks to a certain level of prevalence.
There is also a well-circulated but unsubstantiated story of an indigenous noble who was born with a cleft lip (possibly cleft palate as well). This Pre-Inca individual may have been Chimú or Huari. Legend has it that due to the circumstances of his status, he was allowed to live and procreate, thus spreading the cleft gene throughout the Andes. This has endured into modern-day Peru and Ecuador, leaving the region with a large cleft gene pool.
