Poor diet and difficult living conditions mean that problems with health and well-being are very serious in Nicaragua. Often the medicines required to tackle illness early on are not affordable and so the problem is compounded.

As a result, Carita Feliz has opened a pharmacy of its own, Farmacia Carita Feliz. Medicines are bought in bulk and with cash, which reduces the cost dramatically. This benefit can therefore be passed on to customers in the form of reduced prices and, where necessary, free medication.

Carita Feliz has a dental programme in collaboration with local dentist, Dr. Evenor Saenz, who treats up to 20 children per week. The center pays for all materials used and Dr. Saenz donates his time.

Caritas Diosesanas de Nicaragua (Granada) has organized visits from Dentists without Borders, a group of young Spanish dentists who treat children at no cost. For the past two years, these dentists have dedicated a large proportion of their time spent in Granada treating patients in Carita Feliz. The latest visit in Summer 2004 was a great success and more than 650 children and 100 senior citizens were treated in a week.