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Bringing Smiles Back to Juana’s Village

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In a remote Mexican village, Juana and her four children face extreme poverty and isolation. For years, Juana suffered the pain of tooth decay. The nearest dentist is a 12-hour walk through mountains and over a swinging wooden bridge, making it impossible for her to get help.

Despite her discomfort, Juana put on a brave face while caring for her children, whose teeth were also deteriorating. Powerless to ease her family’s suffering, she was disheartened when her front tooth fell out just before Carmen, her youngest, was born…leaving her without a smile.

This is where your support made all the difference for Juana.

Thanks to donors like you, help and hope arrived through the Oaxaca Dental Mission—a team of 17 doctors, dentists, and support staff that journeyed through the mountains and across the bridge to the little village, carrying supplies and equipment to change lives.

Imagine Juana’s relief when the team fixed her children’s teeth…and her joy when they replaced her missing tooth. Picture her toddler Carmen’s delight at seeing her mama’s bright smile for the first time! Her teenage daughter, Elena, was so grateful that she started volunteering daily with the dental team to make sure their neighbors got the care they desperately needed.

Juana’s family is just one example of the many lives transformed by your gifts to Advance Community.

In one week, the Oaxaca Dental Mission team performed 597 dental procedures bringing relief to about 451 villagers. They did 145 extractions, 210 resin treatments, 165 cleanings, 18 surgeries, 39 root canals, and 20 prosthetic fittings. And while the dental team worked, medical providers attended the needs of 429 people, offering care for everything from general medicine to minor surgery to diabetes care and orthopedics.

These acts of compassion changed lives. And they are direct results of your generosity. Every time you give to Advance Community, you deliver hope into poverty. With your continued support, we can bring smiles back to entire villages.

BEFORE…

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AFTER…

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