Dr. Mark Costes has been a dentist for over two decades. He’s owned practices, mentored colleagues, and built organizations—but he tells us that nothing has touched him more deeply than the moments he’s spent providing dental care on the dirt floors of a remote clinic in the developing world.
According to the World Health Organization, 3.5 billion people lack basic dental care. Let that sink in. We live in an era of innovation, comfort, and precision dentistry, and yet more than half the planet can’t see a dentist in their lifetime. That’s why Smile Outreach International was founded. Because Mark couldn’t ignore the truth: billions of people are suffering silently from oral disease.
He believes that as experts trained to heal, you all carry a responsibility—and a profound opportunity—to extend your hands beyond your practices and into the world.
What Service Really Means
When we talk about “service,” it’s easy to think of charity as a one-way street. But we can tell you firsthand that after every mission trip, it’s our volunteers who leave changed.
We’ve held the hands of patients who walked for hours just to be seen. We’ve worked side by side with volunteers who gave up PTO and time with family to serve complete strangers. We’ve watched kids smile after years of hiding their teeth in shame. And every time we see it, we’re all reminded: this is why we do what we do.
What We’ve Done, and Where We’re Going
Last year, Smile Outreach International delivered over $1 million in free dental care to underserved communities across Tanzania, the Dominican Republic, Fiji, and most recently, Roatán, Honduras. On our last trip, we treated over 500 patients in just five days, performing extractions, fillings, cleanings, and more.
These missions are exhausting. But, they’re real; they’re raw; and, they’re filled with meaning. We average 100 patients a day, often in makeshift clinics with basic equipment, but what we provide is far more than treatment. We provide dignity, relief, and hope!
None of it would be possible without people like you.
Your Skills Are Needed
If you’re a dentist, hygienist, assistant, or anyone connected to our profession, know this: your skills are uniquely powerful. You don’t have to change your whole life to make a difference. One week, one trip, one donation can change theirs.
SOI believes in legacy: not just in what we build, but in the lives we touch. This organization, and the people it serves, is part of Dr. Costes’ legacy. We invite you to make it part of yours.
Join Us at the Casino Royale!
Next month, we’re hosting a very special event: the Smile Outreach International Gala in Frisco, Texas on June 14th. It’s more than a fundraiser; it’s a celebration of purpose, generosity, and the impact we can make when we come together as a profession.
Expect a night of casino games, good food, and meaningful connections. But more than that, it’s a chance to support something truly transformative! Every dollar raised through ticket sales and auctions will go directly to mission logistics: dental supplies, equipment, mobile units, and facilities in underserved communities around the world.
Let’s Keep Showing Up
We may not be able to fix the entire world. But we can show up for a part of it. And when we do, when we serve with our hands, our hearts, and our resources, we become part of something that endures long after we’re gone.
This is the SOI legacy. We are honored to be a part of it. We hope you’ll be part of it, too.
See you there!
The DSN Team
