'Vampire Diaries' star Samantha Hanratty helps Smile Train secure Guinness World Records title

MANILA, Philippines — Nothing can be more rewarding than having a celebrity support your cause.

As for actress and Smile Train ambassador Samantha Hanratty, she is 100% behind Smile Train’s attempt at a Guinness World Records title. The world’s largest cleft-focused organization, Smile Train is aiming for a Guinness World Records title for the largest online photo album of smiling mouths!

“We’re passionate about smiles because we know what a serious business they are. As an organization that supports free cleft surgeries and comprehensive cleft care, including oral health care, we are embarking on a global effort to honor all smiles by setting a world record,” said Susannah Schaefer, President and CEO of Smile Train.

The Guinness World Records attempt has already started last July 17, and the organization is aiming to secure the record title by World Smile Day on October 6, 2023. What is needed are 20,000 images of mouths, whether smiling, grinning, or otherwise, to be uploaded to the online photo album.

Hanratty is sharing her smile in support of the campaign.

“I’m proud to partner with Smile Train on this global effort. Anyone over the age of 13 can participate and help make this attempt a success.  It’s simple.  All you need to do is go to everysmile.org and click on ‘I want to make history.’ The platform will guide you in taking and uploading a clear and well-lit photo of your smile. That’s it. I did it and encourage you to do the same in support of Smile Train,” said Hanratty.

Why is it important to set this record?

It is important because once the record is set, Smile Train partner Dentsply Sirona, which is the world’s largest manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies, will be donating $20,000 to Smile Train on World Smile Day — for life-changing surgeries for children with clefts.

“We are proud to help shine a light on the important work that Smile Train does to help children and all people with clefts around the world,” said Erania Brackett, Senior Vice-President of Orthodontic Aligner Solutions & Customer Experience and Head of Sustainability at Dentsply Sirona.

The campaign launch coincides with the celebration of National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month in July 2023. Cleft lip and cleft palate are common birth conditions that can make eating, breathing, hearing, and speaking difficult.

“This is another opportunity to raise awareness, support, and celebrate people born with a facial difference. We strive to give every child with a cleft the opportunity to smile and lead a full and happy life by empowering medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally,” Schaefer says.

She adds: “Let’s make history together while continuing to help children across the globe who are cleft-affected.”

In the Philippines, Smile Train celebrates its 75k Surgeries Milestone, a landmark achievement of providing more than 75,000 free cleft surgeries to indigent Filipinos. Support Smile Train as it continues to embark on its mission of reaching more children needing essential cleft care through its various programs and initiatives.

For more information about Smile Train’s global efforts and to donate, please visit smiletrain.org. To learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines, visit smiletrain.ph, follow Smile Train Philippines on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines.