Free Dental Prosthetics Bring Smiles to Over 1,300 Elderly Residents in Peru

Adults in the Independencia district are smiling again thanks to a municipal program providing free dental prosthetics. The "Volviendo a Sonreír" (Returning to Smile) initiative has already benefited 1,340 elderly residents who previously struggled with inadequate nutrition, emotional well-being, and social exclusion due to lack of dentures.

In 2023, 300 prosthetics were delivered, with similar numbers distributed in 2024 and 2025. As of April 2026, approximately 380 more have been provided. María Toro Meza, an 80-year-old beneficiary, shared her gratitude, stating, "I couldn't speak well, my lip would go inside and bother me. Now with my dentures, I can eat well. I appreciate this support, which is important to me."

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I couldn't speak well, my lip would go inside and bother me. Now with my dentures, I can eat well. I appreciate this support, which is important to me.

The program, a collaboration between the San Pablo Institute's dental teams and the Municipality of Independencia, addresses an often-overlooked need for oral healthcare among the elderly. Mayor Alfredo Reynaga Ramírez emphasized the program's impact on quality of life, stating, "We are very satisfied and happy that there are neighbors who smile as they should. It is important to invest in iron and cement, but also to invest in people. Elderly adults need to be seen by authorities, which is why we have various activities with them."

Karina García Gamarra, the municipality's manager of Human and Social Development, added that recipients also receive complementary psychological and nutritional support. The municipality is working with various institutions, including universities and institutes, to expand the program. Residents received information on obtaining customized prosthetics, oral hygiene, and regular check-ups.

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We are very satisfied and happy that there are neighbors who smile as they should. It is important to invest in iron and cement, but also to invest in people. Elderly adults need to be seen by authorities, which is why we have various activities with them.