25 July 2025

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Operation Smile Conference Returns With Align Support

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Operation Smile, a global nonprofit deeply committed to closing the gap in surgical and health care access, announced today that for the fifth year, Align Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALGN), a leading global medical device company that designs, manufactures, and sells the Invisalign® system of clear aligners, iTero™ intraoral scanners, and exocad™ CAD/CAM software for digital orthodontics and restorative dentistry, is the title sponsor of Operation Smile’s International Student Leadership Conference (ISLC). The annual week-long conference, now in its 33rd year, will be held at the University of Maryland in College Park from July 21 through July 27, 2025.

Each year, students from Operation Smile’s global network of over 13,500 student volunteers across 40-plus countries are invited to ISLC to develop and strengthen their leadership skills and character, support patients with cleft conditions around the globe, and connect with other students from different cultures and countries.

In addition to supporting the conference overall, Align’s sponsorship will offer full scholarships to attend the ISLC conference to more than 100 students born with cleft conditions, as well as students facing financial barriers in countries where Operation Smile works. The scholarships cover travel costs and the conference fee. Since ISLC 2022, Align has provided more than 130 scholarships to attend ISLC for Operation Smile volunteers from the organization’s program countries, as well as ambassadors from Operation Smile’s Cleft Connect community.

“At Operation Smile, we inspire and support the next generation of leaders, equipping them with the tools and opportunities to drive positive change in global health,” said Brigette Clifford, AVP of student programs at Operation Smile. “We are so grateful for the continued partnership with Align to provide scholarships that remove financial barriers for our student volunteers to have leadership opportunities, propelling their training.”

Operation Smile has relentlessly expanded access to health care on a global scale for more than 40 years in partnership with medical leaders, health ministries, universities, and NGOs. The organization recently launched Operation 100, a bold strategy to bring essential surgical care closer to patients’ homes by investing in frontline health workers and strengthening district hospitals.

Align has worked alongside Operation Smile for more than a decade, committing over $1.6 million to its International Student Leadership Conference (ISLC), in addition to supporting care for patients around the world. The two organizations continue to work toward a shared vision of transforming smiles, changing lives, and achieving surgical excellence in 37 low- and middle-income countries.

“I am excited to meet with ISLC students and share Align’s purpose—to transform smiles and change lives—during this fifth year that Align is the title sponsor of the conference,” said Jaime Richardson, Align Technology vice president, Human Resources Americas, and the keynote speaker at this year’s ISLC. “These aspiring leaders are making a positive change in their own communities and helping Operation Smile patients around the world. Align is proud to support these students as they gather to learn, collaborate, and help bring smiles to more children.”

About Align Technology, Inc.

Align Technology designs and manufactures the Invisalign® system—the most advanced clear aligner system in the world—iTero™ intraoral scanners and services, and exocad™ CAD/CAM software. These technology building blocks enable enhanced digital orthodontic and restorative workflows to improve patient outcomes and practice efficiencies for over 281,400 doctor customers and are key to accessing Align’s 600 million consumer market opportunity worldwide. Over the past 28 years, Align has helped doctors treat over 20.1 million patients with the Invisalign system and is driving the evolution in digital dentistry through the Align™ Digital Platform—our integrated suite of unique, proprietary technologies and services delivered as a seamless, end-to-end solution for patients and consumers, orthodontists and GP dentists, and lab/partners. Visit www.aligntech.com for more information.

About Operation Smile

Operation Smile is a leading global nonprofit bridging the gap in access to essential surgeries and health care, starting with cleft surgery and comprehensive care. We provide medical expertise, training, mentorship, research, and care through our dedicated staff and volunteers around the world, working alongside local governments, nonprofits, and health systems, and supported by our generous donors and corporate partners. 

Source: www.operationsmile.org