Project Smile was founded because of the lack of interest in oral health among rural and underserved communities speacially in Madhesh of Nepal. Being born and brought up in villages which were underprivileged, I noticed that dental conditions which could easily have been prevented, including tooth decay, gum disease and oral infections were prevalent in children, but hardly treated because of the lack of awareness, affordability and access to basic dentist services. Oral health had been left out of the mainstream health education whereas it has close relationship with nutrition, school attendance, confidence as well as well-being. This was an innovation that arose on the basis of the assumption that basic preventive measures when implemented at an early age and regularly through out life span can bring about a lifetime health advantage. Project Smile seeks to fill this divide by means of education, youth leadership, and action oriented in their community.
In practice, Project Smile operates through school- and community-based interventions in rural and underdeveloped areas. The program conducts interactive oral health awareness sessions for children, teachers, and parents, focusing on daily hygiene practices, nutrition, and prevention of dental diseases. Participants receive basic hygiene kits, including toothbrushes and toothpaste, to encourage habit formation. Local youth volunteers are trained to lead sessions, ensuring cultural relevance and community trust. The initiative collaborates with schools, local governments, and partner organizations to maximize reach and sustainability, making oral healthcare education accessible, simple, and replicable.
Project Smile has expanded organically through youth networks, partnerships, and community demand. Starting as a small local initiative, it gradually spread across multiple districts as volunteers replicated the model in their own communities. Collaborations with youth organizations, schools, and development partners helped scale the program without heavy infrastructure. Social media, word-of-mouth, and demonstrated community impact further fueled its growth. The simplicity and low cost of the model make it adaptable to diverse rural contexts, allowing the innovation to spread sustainably.
Project Smile has since developed over time with an addition of community feedback and an increase in scope due to a peer-to-peer learning model. Although the initiative was initially designed to work on the oral hygiene among children, it can currently actively work with adolescents, parents, and teachers to enhance behavioral change in the long-term. Youth leaders are also trained to make interactive programs dealing with the ill effects of tobacco products, use and misuse of drugs, with special focus on direct associations with oral diseases and health, in general. The training modules are also made more participatory, culturally aware and discussion-driven to allow the youth to learn and affect each other. Project Smile has made the community health promotion more holistic and effective because the education about oral health has been combined with prevention of substance abuse, nutrition, hygiene, and preventive healthcare.
To try Project Smile, start by identifying a school or community with limited access to oral health education. Form a small volunteer team, conduct basic training on oral hygiene awareness, and organize interactive sessions using simple, locally relevant materials. Partner with schools, local leaders, or youth organizations to build trust and reach participants. Focus on education, habit-building, and community ownership to ensure sustainability.
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