What Smile Train does

Smile Train, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1999 by Charles B. Wang, headquartered in New York City and operating in 75+ countries. Its core mission is to provide free corrective surgery and comprehensive cleft care (including speech therapy, nutrition services, dental and orthodontic treatment, hearing care, and psychosocial support) to children born with cleft lip and/or palate. Smile Train supports this care through a network of more than 1,000 partner hospitals and 20,000+ trained local medical professionals, having funded over 2 million cleft surgeries since inception at an average cost of $400 per procedure. The organization distinguishes itself from mission-trip-based charities by adopting a "teach a person to fish" model that builds long-term local surgical capacity rather than delivering episodic care.

The organization's technology stack centers on Smile Train Express (STX), a secure digital platform that hosts over 1 million patient surgery records and enables real-time quality monitoring across the partner network. Smile Train has also developed a portfolio of proprietary and partner-built digital tools: a Virtual Surgery Simulator (built with BioDigital) combining 3D interactive anatomy, intra-operative footage, and voiceover for cleft surgical training; Simulare Medical, a wholly-owned division producing hyper-realistic 3D-printed cleft surgery simulators; a Virtual Reality Operating Room application (released October 2025) for immersive surgical practice; and a Speech Games and Practice mobile app available in English, Spanish, and Filipino. These tools are complemented by Cleft Leadership Centers (CLCs), which serve as regional hubs for treatment, training, and research.

As a nonprofit, Smile Train has no traditional revenue; it is funded entirely through donations and grants across four primary streams: individual donations (including the Frequent Smilers monthly giving program at $15–$33 per month), corporate partnerships (Haleon, Dentsply Sirona, AWS, KidsOR, Nu Skin, Himalaya Wellness, Magna, Bajaj Finserv, among others), planned giving (bequests, IRA rollovers, stock donations), and event-based fundraising (marathons, community events, corporate matching). The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and operates regional Medical Advisory Councils in Africa, China, India, Latin America, MENA, and Southeast Asia. Its current Strategic Plan ("Next Stop, the Future of Cleft Care: On Track to Three Million Smiles") targets reaching 3 million children supported between 2021 and 2026.

Name

Smile Train

Legal name

Smile Train, Inc.

Website

https://smiletrain.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Smile Train is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1999 that funds free cleft lip and palate surgery and comprehensive cleft care for children in 75+ countries. It operates through 1,000+ partner hospitals and has supported over 2 million surgeries since inception.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cleft Care Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340), Offices of Dentists (62121)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Cleft Lip/Palate & Craniofacial Surgery (HLABAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cleft & Craniofacial Orthodontics (HLABABAH), Full-Mouth Rehabilitation & Complex Restorative Care (HLABAFAD)

Keywords

• Cleft lip palate surgery
• Global health nonprofit
• Medical training platforms
• Charitable healthcare services
• Pediatric reconstructive surgery

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals through online portal, mail, phone, and cryptocurrency. Includes one-time and recurring monthly giving options (Frequent Smilers program).
2. Corporate Partnerships: Strategic partnerships with companies for CSR and ESG goals, including financial support, employee engagement programs, cause marketing, and in-kind technology donations.
3. Planned Giving: Legacy giving programs including bequests, retirement assets, and life insurance donations. Stock donations and IRA charitable rollovers also accepted.
4. Event Fundraising: Race participation programs (marathons), community events, student fundraisers, faith-based fundraising, and corporate matching gifts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Smile Train provides free cleft lip and palate surgery and comprehensive cleft care (speech therapy, nutrition, dental, hearing, psychosocial support) to children in 75+ countries through a network of 1,000+ local partner hospitals and 20,000+ trained medical professionals. The organization funds, trains, and equips local medical teams rather than sending foreign surgeons, enabling sustainable year-round care in patients' own communities. Average cost per surgery is $400, with over 2 million surgeries supported since 1999.

Product overview

Smile Train is a nonprofit organization focused exclusively on cleft lip and palate care, operating the world's largest cleft-focused platform. The organization does not offer a unified software product but rather a portfolio of interconnected programs and digital tools. The core technology offerings include: Smile Train Express (a secure patient record management platform for partner hospitals), the Virtual Surgery Simulator (a 3D surgical training tool developed with BioDigital), the Virtual Reality Operating Room (VR application for surgical practice), Simulare 3D-printed surgical training models, and the Speech Games and Practice mobile app. Supporting these are comprehensive care services including cleft surgeries, speech therapy, nutrition services, dental/orthodontic care, hearing care, and psychosocial support. The organization also provides training programs, grant funding, best practice resources, and community programs including Cleft Con and World Smile Day. All cleft treatment is provided 100% free to patients through a network of 1,000+ partner hospitals across 75+ countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cleft Surgeries
• Speech Therapy
• Nutrition Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 2 million+ safe, high-quality cleft surgeries supported since 1999
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Dentsply SironacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 March 2026Global partnership combining digital dentistry and clinical expertise to expand access to oral care. Donations of advanced dental equipment to Smile Train partners in India, China, and Indonesia. Won Halo Award Gold for community engagement. Set GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS together for World's Largest Online Album of Mouths.
• Haleon (formerly GSK Consumer Healthcare)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Five-year partnership (launched 2018) to increase awareness about clefts among consumers and experts, and provide vital support in oral health and hygiene for patients in need. Haleon is at the forefront of fighting everyday oral health problems. Partnership supports comprehensive cleft care including awareness campaigns and patient resources.
• KidsORcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Solar Operating Rooms recognized with Best Partnership award at Anthem Awards 2024. KidsOR provides solar-powered operating room solutions enabling safe surgery in underserved areas.
• Himalaya WellnessminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partnership supporting cleft care programs and awareness in India.
• Magna InternationalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partnership supporting Smile Train's mission through employee engagement and donations.
• Bajaj FinservminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partnership supporting cleft care in India through CSR initiatives.
• BioDigitalcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership to create the Virtual Surgery Simulator - world's first web-based, free, comprehensive cleft simulator. The 3D simulation platform provides interactive instruction on complex cleft surgical techniques.
• Simulare MedicalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA Division of Smile Train, Simulare Medical produces hyper-realistic 3D-printed cleft surgery simulators improving surgical safety by giving providers hands-on experience before operating on children.
• SPOON FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to create cleft nutrition program including multi-day workshop on effective feeding strategies, breastfeeding support, cup feeding techniques, and malnutrition management. Downloadable training materials available in multiple languages.
• Teachers College, Columbia UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for cleft palate speech training with online course and ASHA-approved CEU exam. 'Train the Trainer' manuals enable local trainers worldwide to train next generation of cleft speech professionals.
• Indian Society of Cleft Lip Palate and Craniofanafacial Anomalies (ISCLPCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presented Indocleftcon 2026 conference in Mysuru bringing together 400 craniofacial professionals. Smile Train received distinguished service award for supporting 7 lakh cleft surgeries across 150+ partner hospitals in India.
• Jipmer (Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment medical institute in Puducherry, India partnering with Smile Train India and SIRAT - The Cleft Warriors to host SIRAT Symphony 2026, focused on cleft care and lived experiences of individuals affected by cleft conditions.
• SIRAT - The Cleft Warriors AssembleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPatient advocacy organization collaborating with Jipmer and Smile Train India to organize SIRAT Symphony 2026, bringing together cleft warriors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
• Birth Defects Research Foundation (India)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Smile Train India to launch Birth Anomalies Network of India (BIND) in New Delhi to advocate for a National Birth Anomalies Registry and improve prevention, detection, and treatment of congenital conditions.
• Ghana Ministry of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to open National Cleft Care Center - Africa's largest cleft clinic in Kumasi, Ghana, at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Ghana Cleft Foundation also partners in this initiative.
• Ghana Cleft FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in establishing Africa's largest cleft center at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana, serving as regional hub for cleft treatment, training, and research.
• Komfo Anokye Teaching HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost facility for National Cleft Care Center - Smile Train Cleft Leadership Center in Kumasi, Ghana. Serves as Africa's largest cleft clinic and major hub for training health professionals.
• FDI World Dental FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross-sector partnership for World Oral Health Day 2026, advocating for oral health as a universal right. FDI highlights that oral diseases affect 3.7 billion people worldwide. Partnership addresses oral health integration in cleft care.
• UNITARminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with UN Institute for Training and Research to scale sustainable global health impact through cleft care programs.
• American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmile Train National Sponsor of ACPA 100-cleft Portraits Tour and International Program Supporter/Gold Sponsor of ACPA 2026 Annual Meeting. ACPA provides US cleft team contact information through Smile Train's Find Help page.
• Government of Karnataka (India)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partnership to expand advanced cleft care beyond major cities in Karnataka. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao emphasized working with private organizations like Smile Train to reach underserved populations.
• COSECSA (College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmile Train CEO Susannah Schaefer awarded Honorary COSECSA Fellowship for impactful surgical partnerships across Africa, recognizing contributions to surgical training and care.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Operation Smile: Operation Smile is the most direct peer — also a global nonprofit providing free cleft lip and palate surgeries, founded in 1982. Competes head-to-head for donor mindshare, medical volunteers, and partner hospitals in many of the same 75+ countries.
• ReSurge International: ReSurge International provides reconstructive surgical care in low-income countries, with cleft surgery as a core program. Comparable mission (empowering local surgeons, surgical training) and overlapping geographies make it a near-direct peer.

Broad incumbents

• Children's Miracle Network Hospitals: Children's Miracle Network Hospitals is a large pediatric health charity raising funds for children's hospitals. Comparable mission focus (children's health), partnership model (1,000+ hospitals), and US-centric donor ecosystem.
• Partners In Health: Partners In Health is a major global health nonprofit focused on delivering healthcare to the poor in resource-limited settings. Comparable in mission, scale, and locally-embedded care model across multiple low-income countries.
• Direct Relief: Direct Relief is a large humanitarian medical aid organization improving health outcomes for people in poverty and emergency settings. Comparable donor base, transparency profile (top charity ratings), and global health footprint.
• Americares: Americares is a leading global health-focused nonprofit delivering medicines, medical supplies, and health services to underserved populations. Comparable operational scale and donor engagement model in global health.
• Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders: MSF is the gold-standard global medical humanitarian organization delivering healthcare in crisis and underserved regions. Smile Train shares the ethos of local empowerment and serves overlapping geographies, though MSF's scope is far broader.
• International Medical Corps: International Medical Corps delivers healthcare services and trains healthcare workers in conflict-affected and underserved regions. Comparable footprint, training orientation, and humanitarian funding model.
• Mercy Ships: Mercy Ships operates hospital ships delivering free surgical care in developing nations. While not cleft-specialized, it overlaps significantly in surgical capacity-building, volunteer medical models, and donor base targeting global surgical inequity.

Emerging players

• Healing the Children: Healing the Children provides medical care to children worldwide, including surgical services for cleft and other conditions. Smaller scale but directly comparable in pediatric surgical charity focus and volunteer-driven delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/pg/SmileTrain/reviews
• Xx.com/smiletrain
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-smile-train

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Smile Train