Menu Smile Train partnership With GSK Consumer Healthcare’s heritage in specialist oral health, we know the importance of a healthy mouth. That’s why we’re proud of our partnership with Smile Train, a world-leading charity which empowers local medical professionals to provide free, life-changing surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children with cleft lip and palate in more than 90 countries. Image courtesy of Smile Train A partnership that’s all about purpose Our belief that mouths should be a source of joy, not pain, and our commitment to fighting preventable oral health problems with science-based products and services, aligns with Smile Train’s vision that every child born with cleft lip or palate should receive the oral healthcare they need. That’s why, in 2018, we formed a five-year partnership to help more children with cleft lip or palate to lead full and healthy lives. In the first two and a half years of our partnership with Smile Train, our funding, support and expertise has helped more children living with clefts to lead full and healthy lives, as well as helping increase awareness and education about cleft. What has our partnership has achieved so far? • Patient families to receive support for transport/food receiving care: 11,141 • Patients to receive comprehensive cleft care: 3,719 • Education and training for cleft team members: 2,199 • Pillar Funding Surgeries: 7,378 • Employee Giving Surgeries: 1000+ • Total lives changed: 25,437 But there’s still so much to do as 540 children are born with cleft lip or palate every day. What is cleft lip and palate? Image courtesy of Smile Train One of the most common facial birth differences, it is a split in the upper lip and/or roof of the mouth (palate). Causes are unknown, although it can run in families. Clefts are a serious health condition with potentially life-threatening complications such as difficulty eating, breathing, hearing, and speaking. The lifesaving surgery these children need can cost as little as $250 — but for many families in desperate need, this is out of reach. Meet Jaya* – our first GSK Smile Train baby Image courtesy of Smile Train Jaya is the first baby to have her cleft reconstruction surgery with the help of GSK employee fundraising and Smile Train, the world’s leading charity dedicated to cleft lip and palate. Jaya was born with a complete unilateral cleft lip and palate. Her parents, Arun and Sudha knew nothing about this condition. A local doctor drew a picture and explained to them what cleft is. It was when her parents took Jaya to see Dr. Dhatchayini, a pediatrician in a private hospital for cleft treatment that they learned about Smile Train’s work and free cleft surgeries at Sri Ramachandra Hospital in Chennai. Jaya was three months old when she had her first surgery. View video on YouTube The transformation has been extraordinary and Jaya is thriving. She had her second surgery when she was just over nine months. View video on YouTube Jaya, her mother and father, and three of the local medical partners responsible for Jaya’s on-going cleft care Together with Smile Train, we are united in our shared vision and commitment to help transform lives, one smile at a time. *Patient name changed for privacy RSS Other GSK websites Market website selector GSKPro for healthcare professionals GSK Study Register Quick links COVID-19 response Behind the science About us Products Careers Investors Media Research and development Responsibility Accessibility/legal Accessibility Terms of use Cookie policy Privacy notice Modern Slavery Act statement 2020 PDF - 191.4KB Sitemap Contact us Contact us Partnerships Report a possible side effect Business to business Supplier website Business to business This is our global website, intended for visitors seeking information on GSK’s worldwide business. Our market sites can be reached by visiting our market selector. © 2001-2021 GlaxoSmithKline plc. All rights reserved. Trade marks are owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies. GlaxoSmithKline plc. Registered in England and Wales No. 3888792. Registered office: 980 Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 9GS, United Kingdom. We use cookies GSK values your privacy and your trust is important to us. We use cookies to enhance your website experience. Some cookies are necessary to run the website. Others are optional: performance cookies show us how you use our website and features; functional cookies remember your preferences; and advertising cookies help us share relevant content.Cookie Policy Show detail ❮ OPT OUT ACCEPT ALL