Ecuador

who we are

Bringing Dental Care to Communities That Need It Most

Welcome to Smiles Movement, a specialized division of the MEDLIFE, committed to delivering essential dental care to underserved communities in Peru & Ecuador. Our mission is simple: bring back smiles to those who don’t have the means to create their own. Through dental mobile clinics, follow-up dental care, and volunteer spirit, we have touched the lives of thousands who previously lacked access to even basic dental care.

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Why We Work In Ecuador

Rural areas lack access to dental facilities, making preventive and emergency dental care difficult for many communities.
Approximately 2.1% of the population in Ecuador is multidimensionally poor.
Rural areas often lack healthcare facilities and face challenges in accessing medical professionals.
5.9% of the population is classified as vulnerable to multidimensional poverty.
Vulnerable populations, particularly in rural regions, struggle with inadequate resources for both healthcare and oral health.
Children in underserved areas often lack dental education, increasing the prevalence of cavities and gum disease.

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What Makes Us Unique

Ecuador At A Glance

Ecuador is located in the western corner at the top of the South American continent. Ecuador is named after the Equator, the imaginary line around the Earth that splits the country in two. Most of the country is in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Galápagos Islands, 596 miles (960 kilometers) west of the mainland of Ecuador are part of Ecuador and are home to unique reptiles, birds, and plants. The Costa, or coastal plain region is where many of the world’s bananas are grown. The Sierra is also made up of farmland. The Oriente is east of the Andes and is rich in oil.

Requirements To Visit

Before traveling to Ecuador, make sure you meet all entry requirements. Here’s what you need to know:

Ecuador travel requirements:

A passport with six months validity is required to enter Ecuador. Before you travel, ensure that your passport is valid and up to date. If you need to renew your passport before traveling, do so as soon as possible.

Ecuador visa requirements:

Travelers entering Ecuador do not need to obtain a visa if their stay is under 90 days.

Do you need vaccinations to go to Ecuador?

While no vaccinations are required to enter Ecuador, it is advisable to get up to date on certain vaccinations like typhoid, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, yellow fever, rabies, and COVID-19.

Ecuador travel restrictions:

It is important to stay up to date on the travel advisories for Ecuador from your country’s government website.

Riobamba, Ecuador

Riobamba, a small city in the Andes mountains of Ecuador, is where it all started. This is the original MEDLIFE home, where Dr. Ellis was first inspired to start the Movement. Though the area is rich in natural beauty, it is one of the poorest provinces in Ecuador, and it lacks many essential services.

The city of Riobamba is surrounded by many smaller Indigenous villages where healthcare resources are notably limited. Our dental clinic in Riobamba acts as a crucial center for both immediate procedures and follow-up care.

Highlights of Service Learning Trips

Duration of trips: 8 days
Average Cost: $1,650
Seasons:
The dry season lasts from June–September, while the rainy season runs from October–May. Rains usually fall in the afternoon during the wet season.

Highlights of destination:
Quito, Middle of the world city, Independence square, Parque Seminario, Virgin of the Panecillo