Our story

From a Single Visit to a Global Mission

In 1984, Elina Katsman visited the Dominican Republic. What she witnessed — children without access to basic oral care — stayed with her long after she returned home. That experience became a calling.

In 1991, the Dominican charitable organization was formally incorporated. What began as a simple desire to help grew into a network of permanent clinics and mobile outreach units serving underserved communities.

Over time, support expanded internationally. In 1998, Smiles Foundation was registered in Canada as an independent charitable organization to grow outreach and community engagement.

In 2018, Smiles Foundation USA was incorporated to mobilize American partnerships and logistical support.