GIFT A SMILE Initiative

The GIFT A SMILE Initiative is a philanthropic outreach programme of the Indian Orthodontic Society (IOS) that aims to provide free orthodontic treatment to individuals who are unable to access care due to financial constraints.

The Indian Orthodontic Society, registered under Sections 12A and 80G of the Income Tax Act, undertakes this initiative as part of its commitment to social responsibility and equitable healthcare.

Through this initiative, IOS partners with Orthodontic Departments and Dental Colleges and Dental Clinics with specialised orthodontic practice across the country to expand access to essential orthodontic care for underserved communities.

Programme Framework

• IOS will invite Expressions of Interest (EOI) from orthodontic departments and Dental Clinics willing to participate.
• Participating institutions and Dental Clinics will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IOS.
• Each funding request must be supported by:
  • Basic patient details
  • Clinical photographs
  • Proof of economic status
• A limited number of cases will be supported each year, selected on a first-come, first-served basis with an appropriate capping on one centre.

Roles, Responsibilities and Rights of the Indian Orthodontic Society

• As a pilot programme, IOS shall provide ₹10,000 per case to the participating orthodontic departments or Dental Clinics.
• Upon review and approval of the application, the sanctioned amount will be released in two stages : a) On start of treatment (post bonding) b) After completion of a case (post debonding).
• IOS will provide access to a secure individual web-based portal to each center for patient data upload. Access will be restricted to the treating orthodontists and authorised IOS administrators.
• IOS reserves the right to monitor treatment progress, either virtually or through authorised representatives before phase wise disbursement of the funds and may release white papers basing on the data at appropriate forums for betterment of the society and policy development.
• With explicit consent from the treating orthodontist, institution, and patient, IOS may use anonymised data for research, policy development, or public awareness activities.
• IOS will provide digital versions of public awareness material such as pamphlets, posters, and standees to participating centres.
• Participating institutions and clinics shall appropriately display and acknowledge their association with the GIFT A SMILE Initiative.
• IOS shall not bear any ethical, legal, or other liability arising from the clinical management or handling of patients.

Roles, Responsibilities and Rights of Participating Institutions / IOS Members

• Only IOS Life Members can serve as primary care providers (treating orthodontist) and shall be responsible for:
  • Identifying suitable patients
  • Uploading required documentation to the GIFT A SMILE portal
• All subsequent records, including documentation after appliance placement and at treatment completion, must be uploaded to the portal.
• Invoices must be generated in the name of the partner center after completion of each phase of treatment following assessment.
• The primary care provider shall be fully responsible for diagnosis, treatment planning, execution, completion, and overall patient care, either independently or under the aegis of the institution.
• IOS Life Members serving as primary care providers are encouraged to enrol under IOS Protect.
• In the event of any discontinuity of services, the primary care provider must ensure seamless transfer of patient care to another IOS Life Member.
• Student members of the IOS assisting in clinical management under this initiative will be awarded a Certificate of Appreciation upon completion of treatment.
• Data of patients may be used for publication / promotion by primary care providers with suitable acknowledgement to IOS gift a smile intitiative .