As high-school students, it is accurate to say that we have all lost, broken or chipped our fair share of teeth. And each time any harm is inflicted upon our teeth we all know of a place to get them fixed: the dentist office. Even at the bare minimum, we have had an adult rush over to us at our first cry of “my tooth is loose!” to sit us down for a cooling popsicle to sooth the toothache.

In this day and age, particularly in the U.S, the dentist office is a simple and normal aspect of daily life. With an abundance of opportunities for people in the U.S to fix dental and facial conditions, or even enhance their facial features for beauty, it is not uncommon for those living in the U.S. to take something as simple as the appearance of their teeth for granted. Unfortunately, beyond the experience children and parents have with their teeth in the U.S is one that holds a different meaning for children in many other countries worldwide.

In developing countries worldwide, children born with facial deformities such as cleft palate are forced to live with constant scorn from others. Families in developing nations do not have the money or resources to help their child receive treatment even though it is a one-hundred-percent- treatable condition.

As a result, children and their families often face contempt and are shunned from their environments just because of the facial appearance of the child. These children are taken out of school to prevent bullying and attacks, while families suffer day in and day out without hope in sight.

One organization, however, has been working for these children since 1982: Operation Smile.

According to the Operation Smile homepage, it is a non-profit organization founded by Dr. Bill Magee and Kathy Magee. The Magees` first trip with a group of medical volunteers in caring for children born with facial deformities in the Philippines brought into awareness the need for the creation of such an organization. Now located in thirty-five countries world-wide, Operation Smile continues to treat children and change their lives forever. The organization provides free facial reconstruction surgery through donations of $250 per child. Since the start of this organization, its support has spread into schools worldwide.

Paint Branch`s own Operation Smile club began in 2008, with Mr. Miller serving as the sponsor. This year it is led by first-year president, senior Marianne Salazar, and senior vice-president Bilen Tifre. “I cannot take the credit”, Mr. Miller says as the idea for this club was brought to his attention by some of his former AP students six years ago. The club showed a great turnout this year during its first interest meeting at LAP.

Regarding the club`s goals for fundraising this year, Mr. Miller sincerely replied that he does not “have a dollar amount in mind, though (he hopes) we raise money to help as many children as we can.”

President Marianne Salazar shared a similar goal, saying that she is hoping for a successful year of fundraising. As first year president, she noted her loss of apprehension and fear in stepping up to the leadership position after serving with the club since her sophomore year. In reference to Mr. Miller and her VP, she confidently stated that if “I need support, I know it`s there.”

Operational Smile`s fundraisers include after-school bake sales and car washes which are, according to the president, set to be held as late as this December. The opportunity to change a child’s life forever is closer then ever, and the members of Operation Smile hope you come out to support them.