Sonrisas Felices
Sonrisas Felices (Happy Smiles) is a philanthropic project based in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. It was created in February 2020 by Jeffrey Landi, a former Silicon Valley technology professional and surfer who first traveled to Nicaragua in 2018. After Jeff built a home in Nicaragua in 2019, he wanted to contribute to the community. He wanted to contributed to healthcare and education of the people in he met. Jeff consulted the leadership of a small local hospital in December 2019 and learned that oral health was a gaping need, particularly in remote villages. Together, Jeff and the hospital leaders co-created a one-of-a-kind mobile dentistry program.
Mobile Dentistry
Today, the Sonrisas Felices team is led by Nicaraguans who live in the places they serve. The team consists of two dentists, an assistant, a technician, and a driver.
The Sunrises Felices team offers three clinics PER WEEK in remote villages and schools, which adds up to144 clinics per year. Historically, 25% of the clinics take place in schools.
The hospital has a large truck with a full dental setup inside, assisted by smaller vehicles depending on the location and road access needed to reach remote villages. Sonrisas Felices funds pay for truck fuel, the dentist salary, medical supplies, equipment maintenance (dental equipment, generator), and patient treatment in private clinics.
We provide the following services, free to all Nicaraguans:
-Cleanings - Cavity fillings - Extractions- Consultations- Classroom Education- Kits (toothbrush + paste)
Dentistry at School
Additionally, Sunrises Felices has approval from the Ministry of Education to perform procedures on kids at the schools, with parental consent.
When patients need more advanced care, we pay for their treatment in private clinics, as available. Over 15,000 people have been served since project's inception!
According to the Director of the hospital and multiple community leaders, we are transforming the state of oral health in the entire municipality.
Testimonies
"On behalf of the Ministry of Health we thank you. Through your work, you have brought oral health to pregnant women with dental cavities, preventing complications. In schools, dental cavities have been prevented. In rural communities the incidence of cavities has been reduced by improving the quality of care to children. We are very grateful and hope to continue this remarkable program."
Dr. Junior Ruiz, Director Hospital Gaspar Garcia Laviana
“Sonrisas Felices has been an incredible strength for us - bringing oral health and free consultations and treatments closer to communities with difficult access including vulnerable areas of the municipality of San Juan del Sur. We extend infinite thanks to this project and its supporters.”
Dr. Oscar Hernandez, Former Director Hospital Gaspar Garcia Laviana