Oral health in comprehensive cleft care

Cleft lip and palate (clefts) are the most common birth difference of the face and mouth. Clefts occur when parts of the lip and/or palate do not fuse together during fetal development, which can lead to difficulties with feeding and even survival following birth.

Cleft lip can affect as many as 1 in 700 births, yet many children never receive the reconstructive surgery they need.

Even children who undergo cleft surgery are often at an increased risk for caries, periodontal disease, and other oral health issues as they grow and develop. These children require regular dental care to ensure adequate monitoring, education, support, and treatment to prevent oral disease and ensure the highest possible quality of life. 

Oral health is key in caring for patients with cleft

Rehabilitation and care of children living with clefts often involves the core specialties of nursing, plastic surgery, speech therapy, and orthodontics. However, dental care should also be added to the care continuum for patients with cleft to ensure adequate access to dental services and integrate oral health considerations across the care pathway. To support this integration, oral health professionals must receive accurate, quality guidance and education in caring for patients with cleft. FDI and oral health non-profit Smile Train are working together to provide new resources on the standard of oral health and integration of dental care for children and adults with clefts.

Goal 1

Advocate to improve oral care for cleft patients around the world by integrating oral health professionals into the care continuum

Goal 2

Provide educational resources for oral health professionals and cleft care teams that address the oral health needs of patients with cleft

Goal 3

Deliver resources that support patients and families affected by cleft lip and palate to provide guidance on topics related to oral health

Resources

MOOC1: Comprehensive cleft care for cleft care teams

MOOC2: Comprehensive cleft care for oral health professionals

  • OH in CCC NEW Resources cover
    Cleft lip and/or palate
    NEW Resources for Oral Health Professionals
    Toolkit
  • Oral health in CCC resources for NOHP cover
    Cleft lip and/or palate
    NEW Resources for Non-Oral Health Professionals
    Toolkit
  • Advocacy Guide
    Cleft lip and/or palate
    Advocacy Guide
  • Cleft care
    Cleft lip and/or palate
    Dental procedures: Safety and quality protocol
    Toolkit
  • FDI_Oral Health in Comprehensive Cleft Care
    09/23/2020
    Children with clefts are at high risk for tooth decay, gum disease and other serious oral health concerns
  • Oral health in comprehensive cleft care_chairside guide
    Cleft lip and/or palate
    Oral health in comprehensive cleft care
    Chairside guide

    Oral health in comprehensive cleft care guidelines seeks to empower local cleft teams with training and resources to improve oral health.

  • FDI Smile train_Michael David_young patient
    09/02/2020
    Setting essential standards on oral health and dental care for children born with clefts
  • OHCCC 0-2
    Cleft lip and/or palate
    Oral health in CCC Ages 0-2 Years
    Toolkit
  • OHCCC 2-6
    Cleft lip and/or palate
    Oral health in CCC Ages 2-6 Years
    Toolkit
  • OHCCC 6-12
    Cleft lip and/or palate
    Oral health in CCC Ages 6-12 Years
    Toolkit
  • OHCCC 12-18
    Cleft lip and/or palate
    Oral health in CCC Ages 12-18 Years
    Toolkit
  • OHCCC 18+
    Cleft lip and/or palate
    Oral health in CCC Ages 18+ Years
    Toolkit
  • OHCCC Lift the lip
    Cleft lip and/or palate
    Oral health in CCC Lift the lip
    Toolkit
  • NOHP Trainers manual
    Cleft lip and/or palate
    NOHP Trainers manual
    Toolkit
  • Resource preview
    Systematic Review of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Oral Health in Children With Cleft Lip and Palate

The Oral health in comprehensive cleft care project is supported by:

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Haleon