Cleft Lip/Palate Clinics

Programs that provide comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services for children born with cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial anomalies. Services are generally provided by a multidisciplinary team which may include lactation specialists who offer assistance with feeding problems; speech and language pathologists who offer advice on ways to encourage normal speech development and help the child with speech and language problems that may develop; audiologists and ear, nose and throat specialists (otolaryngologists) who provide services related to hearing and ear care; plastic surgeons who perform cleft lip/palate surgery; orthodontists and pediatric dentists who provide information about future dental needs; maxillofacial prosthedontists who replace missing teeth or develop appliances to improve speech; genetic counselors who help the family understand the origins of the problem; and social workers who provide assistance with coordination of services, information about hospitalizations, and referrals for parent-to-parent support.