In this inspiring episode of Medentee Talk, host Alex Raychuk welcomes Jean Paul Laurent, founder of the internationally recognized Unspoken Smiles Foundation — a pioneering social enterprise transforming access to oral healthcare for underserved children worldwide.
From being honored by the Clinton Foundation, United Nations, and WHO, to launching the world’s first eco-friendly preventive dental clinic and soon the Museum of Smiles, Jean Paul shares how a personal mission evolved into a global movement for dignity, education, and long-term health impact.
Connect with Jean Paul Laurent on LinkedIn to stay updated: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-paul-laurent/
Timecode:
00:00 | Intro
00:46 | Meet Jean Paul Laurent & the Unspoken Smiles mission
01:38 | Childhood in Haiti & moving to the U.S.
03:58 | Why he chose dentistry
06:32 | The 2010 Haiti earthquake: catalyst for change
09:32 | Founding story behind the name “Unspoken Smiles”
11:12 | What the foundation actually does
14:10 | The 3 global challenges in oral healthcare
15:12 | Clinics & sustainable funding model
17:22 | Fellowship program for young professionals & women
20:21 | Partnering with universities & empowering local communities
23:42 | Technology, teledentistry & partnership opportunities
25:02 | Inspiring stories from school programs
26:48 | How to prevent talent migration from underserved countries
30:21 | Systemic challenges: dental associations & public perception
33:01 | Why dentistry must be integrated into public health
34:41 | Corporate donations: what’s missing and what’s possible
36:22 | Jean Paul’s next vision: Museum of Smiles, going global
38:42 | Can dentistry be worthy of a Nobel Prize?
39:21 | How to support Unspoken Smiles — funding, partnerships, involvement
42:55 | On dancing, innovation & turning rejection into success
46:21 | Final message: “One more child, one more smile.”