Top50 Smile Shapers 2025: Unspoken Smiles Sparks Global Movement in Dentistry With New Fellowship Class

21 new dental fellows join Unspoken Smiles’ flagship program in Costa Rica, combining education, service, and leadership to advance oral health equity.

NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, June 27, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Unspoken Smiles proudly announces the 2025 class of its Smile Shapers Fellowship, welcoming 21 outstanding dental students into a growing global movement in dentistry—one rooted in service, prevention, and social responsibility. In exclusive partnership with ULACIT (Latin American University of Science and Technology), this flagship program continues to lead a transformative shift in how dentistry intersects with public health and community impact.

Now in its third year, the fellowship has trained 50 future oral health leaders since launching in 2023. More than a training opportunity, the program is a call to action: a commitment to serve the underserved and reimagine dentistry as a tool for sustainable development and health equity.

“These young professionals are not just studying dentistry—they are redefining its purpose,” said Jean Paul Laurent, Founder and Executive President of Unspoken Smiles.

The 2025 fellows, all from ULACIT’s School of Dentistry, were chosen for their academic excellence, leadership qualities, and dedication to community service. Many have already been deployed to local schools throughout central San José, engaging hundreds of schoolchildren in oral health education, screenings, and the distribution of dental hygiene kits as part of the Zero Cavity Initiative.

A Fellowship That Fuses Service With Education

The Smile Shapers Fellowship offers an immersive experience for aspiring dental professionals:

1. Fieldwork delivering oral health education in underserved schools
2. Academic credit for service hours, fulfilling graduation requirements
3. Training in public health, health equity, and youth leadership
4. Exposure to global best practices in preventive care and policy
5. Professional apparel provided by in-kind sponsor FIGS

From classroom to community, the fellowship bridges the gap between education and impact, shaping students into civic-minded professionals equipped to tackle health disparities locally and globally.

Building a Movement
With 50 fellows now trained since 2023, the Smile Shapers Fellowship has become more than a program—it’s a platform for a new kind of leadership in oral health.

“This is about rethinking what it means to be a dentist in the 21st century,” said Laurent. “We’re creating a global pipeline of professionals who lead with compassion and serve with purpose.”

As the program grows, Unspoken Smiles is calling on global health institutions, universities, and policy leaders to recognize oral health as a pillar of sustainable development. The fellowship in Costa Rica is a model for scalable, service-driven health education that responds to the needs of underserved populations—and prepares the next generation to lead the way.

Meet the 2025 Smile Shapers Fellows
All fellows are currently enrolled at ULACIT’s School of Dentistry and were selected through a competitive process based on academic performance, leadership potential, and a demonstrated commitment to community service:

Aya Coseth Kaiss El Beaini
Barbara Milanes Obando
Carolina Ortiz Chacon
Chrismay Daleshka Sierra Forbes
Daniel Fallas Sánchez
Daniela Cubero Arrieta
Delia Elizondo Conejo
Edgardo Alonso Tencio Cascante
Jeyson David Pérez Roldán
José Armando Espinoza Salas
Joselyn Valeria Chacón Ángulo
Karen Alfaro
María Isabel Andrade Mena
María Viviana Mejías Araya
Mariana Ungo González
Maripaz Quirós Reiche
Melany Pérez Badilla
Roberto Hernandez Chinchilla
Stefano Polini
Valeria Chavez Miranda
Valery Robles

An Expanding Legacy of Impact
The Unspoken Smiles Fellowship is part of the organization’s broader commitment to building a pipeline of youth leaders advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education). By combining academic excellence with social purpose, the initiative provides an immersive leadership experience that prepares young professionals to thrive at the intersection of dentistry, public service, and sustainable development.

As the initiative expands, public support is critical to sustaining and growing its reach.

To support the fellowship and help expand its impact, visit:
https://yomeuno.com/costa-rica/organizaciones/asociacion-unspoken-smiles

Jennifer Altman
Unspoken Smiles Costa Rica
+506 8646 6332
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