About Us
Helping People Around the World…
One Smile at a Time
The stories of how lives are changed are why we are driven to improve the lives of people with poor oral healthcare.
1985 - The Foundation of the Pierre Fauchard Academy was incorporated to provide dental student scholarships and project grants to benefit the dental profession.
Fernando Brenes-Espinach, DDS
During World War II, General Robert Shira, DDS, a dentist stationed at Gorgas Hospital in the Canal Zone, formed a dental association known as the Federación Odontológica de Centroamérica y Panamá. Through this organization, Dr. Shira became acquainted with Dr. Fernando Brenes-Espinanch of Costa Rica.
1995 - At the time of Dr. Brenes-Espinanch's death, he left the majority of his estate to the Foundation to be used for grants in the field of odontology and dental medicine.
Dental Student Scholarships
1996 - 2024 - The Foundation established a dental student scholarship program. Each year, a scholarship was awarded to a third-year student at all dental schools in the United States. Other scholarships were awarded to other international dental schools. The Foundation has awarded over $2,500,000 in student scholarships. In 2025, to expand the increasing need for programs to assist those less fortunate, the Foundation paused the scholarship program.
Share A Smile Grants Program
1995 - The first grant authorized by the Foundation was to provide mouthguards to participants in the 1995 Special Olympics. Since this first grant, the Foundation has supported over 850 grants totalling $6,000,000.
Oral Health International Foundation
2025 - To expand the global mission of the Foundation, the name was changed to the Oral Health International Foundation.
Did You Know?
Oral health is essential to general health and well-being.
Oral disease can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, and learning. It can also affect social interactions, academic achievement, and job potential.1
The three oral conditions that most affect overall health and quality of life are cavities, severe gum disease, and severe tooth loss.2
By age 9, half of children (50%) have had cavities in their primary (baby) or permanent teeth.3
Children aged 6 to 9 from lower-income households were more than twice as likely (25%) to have untreated cavities as children from higher-income households (10%).3
1 in 5 adults (21%) aged 20 to 64 years has at least one untreated cavity.3
Drinking fluoridated water and getting dental sealants (in childhood) prevent cavities and save money by avoiding expensive dental care.45
Tobacco use and diabetes are two risk factors for gum disease.67
On average, 34 million school hours are lost each year because of unplanned (emergency) dental care, and over $45 billion in US productivity is lost each year due to untreated dental disease.89
Medical-dental integration between oral health and chronic disease prevention programs benefits patients and saves money.10
What People Are Saying
“Through the continued generosity of volunteers and donors such as the Oral Health Foundation, dentists will work to meet the needs of the disabled, elderly, poor and uninsured adult residents of Wisconsin.”
“Through the Oral Health Foundation’s grant, the Colorado Mission of Mercy donated masks, gloves, gowns, hand sanitizer, face/eye protection gear to healthcare professionals on the frontlines treating patients with COVID-19. Thank you for your support!”
“There’s no better way to say Thank You than sharing a bright, beautiful smile. The grant has made it possible for thousands of low-income, uninsured Minnesotans to enjoy improved oral health and the freedom to simply smile without pain or shame.”
“Thank you Oral Health Foundation for your generous grant. Your willingness to help poor and disabled Marylanders weather the dental health crisis in their lives makes all the difference!”
“Words can not express how thankful I am for the amazing gift you have given me. This has helped to raise my confidence in myself. Thank you for giving me my smile back.”
“Your generosity provides cleft lip and palate treatment, pediatric dentistry to hundreds of children throughout Central and South America who have no economic resources for care. While they may never be able to repay you, these little ones can smile for a lifetime and it is all thanks to you!”
“I am sincerely honored to have been selected as the recipient of the Oral Health Foundation Student Scholarship. Thank you for your generosity which has allowed me to focus more on my dental research, leadership role and academic achievement.”
“Thank you for your generous scholarship. I am honored by the recognition. Your generosity has inspired me even more to help others and give back to the community. ”
“I am thrilled to receive a student scholarship. It confirms my efforts as I work towards the legacy so many mentors have created. I want to make the most out of my life and this scholarship has allowed me to reflect on my experiences as I strive to impact those around me.”
“The scholarship is not only a recognition for my progress as a dental student so far, but more importantly, it is motivation and inspiration for my future endeavor to undertake initiative roles in the dental profession.”
Donate Today
Together, through your support, we shall continue to help those around the world.
One Smile at a Time.