A Humanitarian Call: Bringing Smiles to the Most Remote Corners of the World

Yulli Tamayo-Myerson
May 1
3 min read

In 2009, I set off on a life-changing mission. Alongside five dentists from the UK, I travelled to the heights of the Peruvian Andes — more than 4,700 metres above sea level — to provide emergency dental care to remote communities that had never seen a dentist before. Organised by Dental Project Peru, this trip changed how I saw my work — and my purpose — forever.

Now, in 2025, I’m returning — not alone, but with my son Arya, who works alongside me at Myofunctional Therapy UK. Together, we are dedicating this year to volunteering our time and skills to deliver vital dental care to those who need it most.

We’ll be joining Dental Project Peru again in August, and then travelling to Morocco in October with Dental Mavericks, a charity devoted to bringing free dental care and education to underserved communities.

Reviving a Lifesaving Mission

It has taken over a year of planning and collaboration between me, Dental Mavericks, and Dental Project Peru to bring this initiative back to life. After a long pause due to global disruptions and logistical hurdles, we are proud to share that Dental Project Peru is being revived — and this August’s trip will be its first return to the Andes in years.

We hope this mission will be the first of many, creating a sustainable pathway to care for those who need it most.

The Global Oral Health Crisis

Across the world, billions of people live without access to basic dental care. In many remote areas, untreated decay, infection, and tooth loss are far too common — and entirely preventable. The consequences affect not just oral health but also nutrition, mental wellbeing, school attendance, and economic opportunity.

When we visited Pampura, Peru in 2009, we found a community where many adults had never received dental treatment. Children were in pain, unable to eat properly or concentrate in school. There were no roads into town until recently — and certainly no regular access to care.

That’s why these trips are so important. They bring immediate relief — and lasting change.

What We Achieved Before — and Why We’re Going Back

During our last mission, we:

Provided emergency dental care to over 500 people
Applied fluoride to more than 300 children
Visited 10 schools to deliver oral hygiene education
Distributed hundreds of toothbrushes and toothpaste kits
Trained local health volunteers to promote ongoing oral care

The impact was profound — and unforgettable. And now, we’re ready to do it again.

A New Chapter: Giving Back as a Team

We’re proud to share that Myofunctional Therapy UK is part-funding this trip. But this isn’t just a one-time initiative. Starting in 2025, a new member of our team will be selected each year to volunteer on international outreach projects, helping expand our mission of compassion and care across borders.

Arya and I are honoured to be the first.

🦷 How Your Donation Helps

These trips are partially self-funded, and your support will help us reach more people and provide the supplies and services that are desperately needed.

Your donation will help cover: