When we talk about medical missions outreach, it's easy to focus on the numbers—how many patients were seen or how many services were delivered. But behind every number is a real person with a real need. Keila Chumpitas is one of those people. Her story reminds us why this work matters and who benefits from it most.
Keila lives in one of the many medically underserved areas where access to dental care is extremely limited. She came to a Smiles Movement outreach clinic with painful dental symptoms and understandable fear about what would happen next.
“There were quite a few patients. They were seeing me first to check what I had. They took out the part of the tooth that was pricked on the inside,” Keila explained.
Like many patients without previous dental experience, Keila found the tools and sounds unsettling.
“I was scared because those little machines always frightened me. I thought it would hurt, especially when they make that stitching sound in the tooth.”
Thanks to the calm guidance of the dental team and the use of anesthesia, Keila felt relief instead of pain.
“Thanks to the anesthesia, I don’t think it hurt much. People should be calm, right? It’s only for a while, and after that, it helps you. For example, so you can eat again. That’s why it’s good to know what you have. Prevent it before it gets worse.”
Her words show how something as simple as a dental procedure can make a powerful difference when someone has gone without care for too long.
Keila is just one of thousands of individuals who have received treatment through Smiles Movement programs. These medical missions outreach trips are designed to serve people who live in medically underserved areas, where dental clinics may be hours away or completely unavailable.
In countries such as Peru, Guatemala, Ecuador, Tanzania, and Costa Rica, Smiles Movement works in collaboration with local leaders and health professionals to bring mobile clinics and education to schools, rural communities, and resource-limited neighborhoods. Each trip is rooted in respectful partnership and focused on long-term impact.
Volunteers assist with patient intake, oral health education, hygiene kit distribution, and non-invasive clinical tasks under supervision. In every location, the goal is the same: to improve access to dental care and provide compassionate support.
The benefits of this work reach beyond the dental chair. Smiles Movement programs support community-wide health by helping people learn the basics of hygiene and prevention. Children are taught how to brush their teeth. Families are equipped with supplies they could not otherwise afford. Local teachers and health workers receive training and tools to continue the efforts long after the volunteers return home.
These programs also have a lasting impact on the volunteers themselves. Students return with a new understanding of the challenges faced by communities with limited access to healthcare. Many describe the experience as life-changing and go on to become stronger, more empathetic professionals.
Through this model, Smiles Movement not only supports health but also builds stronger relationships between people of different backgrounds. The result is a ripple effect of awareness, growth, and purpose.
Keila’s story is one among many. It is a reminder that a simple procedure, delivered with care and respect, can restore someone’s ability to eat, sleep, and live without pain. This is the true heart of medical missions outreach.
If you want to be part of this impact, there are many ways to get involved. Whether you're a pre-dental student, a practicing healthcare professional, or someone passionate about global service, your support can help bring smiles and healing to those who need it most.
Download our brochure to learn how to participate in a Smiles Movement volunteer trip and help expand access to dental care in communities that need it.
Together, we can prevent pain before it starts. Together, we can transform fear into gratitude, one patient at a time.