Peru

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 Peru

Low-income families lack access to essential services like running water and electricity.
In 2022, approximately 9.5% of the Peruvian population was living on less than 3.20 US dollars a day.
A significant portion of the population relies on informal jobs, making it difficult to prioritize or afford regular dental visits.
The poverty rate in Peru was 32.20% in 2022.
Communities consist of small shacks, often made of reed mats or plywood, and built into the precarious rocky hillsides.
Remote and mountainous regions make dental care difficult to access.
Limited healthcare facilities and resources in rural areas lead to inadequate sanitation, contributing to poor oral health and increased rates of dental disease, especially among children.

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What Makes Us Unique

Peru At A Glance

Peru is the third largest country in South America, after Brazil and Argentina. It contains a variety of landscapes, from mountains and beaches to deserts and rainforests. Most people live along the coast of the Pacific Ocean, where the capital, Lima, is located.

The world’s largest rainforest, the Amazon, covers nearly half of Peru. Called the selva in Spanish, this huge jungle, which also covers half of Brazil, is home to plants and animals that don't live anywhere else on Earth.

Requirements To Visit

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

Peru travel requirements:

A passport with six months validity is required to enter Peru. 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.

Peru visa requirements:

Depending on your nationality and location, you may apply for an e-visa to Peru if you wish to visit for a short trip.

Do you need vaccinations to go to Peru?

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

Peru travel restrictions:

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

Lima, Peru

Lima is Peru’s capital and a modern sprawling city with around 11 million inhabitants. It is located on the arid coast of western Peru and is known for its world-class cuisine, wealth of history (pre-Inca and colonial), and vibrant art scene.

Lima offers a mix of urban and suburban communities that suffer from unequal access to dental care. Our work in Lima focuses on both immediate care and educational workshops to promote long-term oral health.

Cusco, Peru

Cusco, often called the most beautiful city in South America, blends ancient Inca culture with colonial Spanish heritage. Located in the Andes of southern Peru, it’s a hub of history and tradition. Despite its charm, rural areas around Cusco face significant dental health challenges.

Our work focuses on bringing essential care to these underserved regions, combining immediate treatment with oral health education for lasting impact.

Highlights of Service Learning Trips

Duration of trips: 8 days
Average Cost: $1,650
Seasons:
Summer: December 21 – March 19
Fall: March 20 – June 20
Winter: June 21 – September 22
Spring: September 23 – December 20

Highlights of destination:
Larco Museum, Magic Water Circuit of the Reserve Park, Huaca Pucllana Site Museum, Nazca Lines.