About Us

Ecuadent Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that was established by Tammy Fesche. Mrs. Fesche, a native of the country of Ecuador, founded Ecuadent to bring high-quality surgical/medical and dental health care from the United States to the most impoverished people of the country of her birth. Since 1990, Ecuadent has completed over thirty-five volunteer mission trips to different small poor villages throughout Ecuador, providing free preventative and restorative dental care to over 28,000 children as well as free surgical care to over 3,000 children.

Health care in these indigent, remote communities is close to non-existent and the government cannot reach these disparaged people to effectively provide them with the care that would enable them to live healthier lives and seek opportunities to better themselves and their families We work to ameliorate the children’s suffering and heal maladies. The health care service we provide is wide ranging, based on the need of the villages as is reported to us by the Ecuadorian Navy as part of their reconnaissance of where to host the missions. Once we determine where the most good can be done, we match our medical and dental teams so their specialties sync with the needs of the communities. 

The health issues that many of our patients present range from cleft lips and palates, burn scars, polydactyly/syndactyly, internal medical issues associated with developing countries, and tooth decay. Perhaps the gravest congenital defects are a child’s cleft lip and/or palate, which results in social rejection and isolation in addition to failure to properly speak, breath, eat and drink. Together this stymied growth and development can sentence the child to a desperate future. Children with visible congenital defects are often shunned in Ecuador. Ecuadorians, especially in these remote areas, are very superstitious and uninformed about congenital deformities and health concerns, often believing they are punishments from God. Ecuadent works to correct these defects and educates the public on how to care for their children with birth defects and break down preconceived notions about these conditions through our compassionate, highly-credentialed and experienced volunteer teams.

Our amazing volunteers – surgeons, pediatric anesthesiologists, pediatricians, nurses, technicians, dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, dental hygienists, dental assistants, translators, and support staff – hail from all over the country, from some of the best institutions like The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, University of Maryland Medical Center, and Georgetown University Hospital to name a few. They take time out of their busy schedules to travel to Ecuador on our mission trips to selflessly provide healthcare to impoverished children who would otherwise not receive it. Not only do volunteers donate their time during the missions, but they also cover the cost of their airfare, obtain in-kind donations of supplies and general donations such as toys, clothes, and school supplies. Moreover, our volunteers go well above and beyond what is expected and help develop treatment protocols, projects, and assist with our foundation’s fundraising efforts.

Ecuadent receives considerable support from our partner the Ecuadorian Navy, which keeps mission operating costs down and ensures overall mission success. The Navy is responsible for securing space in hospitals and clinics to host the missions, logistical support with the entry of mission supplies and donations into the country, security for our teams, and pre-screening of potential patients to ensure we help the most in-need patients that can be helped while we are in-county. Before we arrive, the Navy broadcasts the missions to the public through radio and television announcements as well as social media. In addition, they provide continuing care and post-mission treatment for patients after Ecuadent has left. This last point is one of the most important factors in our successful formula and gives everyone involved peace of mind that the patient is the most important beneficiary of Ecuadent’s humanitarian missions.

For the 2020 mission, Ecuadent would like to offer its free healthcare to even more children, crying out for help and love. We are determined to reach out to kind individuals like you to help fund our next mission. Ecuadent’s plan is to open the door to the world for these children, starting with a healthier life and brighter future. We hope you will find it in your heart to donate to Ecuadent Foundation. Lastly, make sure you go over to our "Missions" page to see pictures and results from our 2019 humanitarian aid campaign in Esmeraldas and Salinas.

Thank You! ¡Gracias!

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