What is Cleft lip/palate clinic and when is the first visit?
The American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association recommends that children with clefts be seen by an team of doctors and care providers to best plan care and treatment. The team includes: • Plastic surgeons – perform reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. • Oral surgeon – treats the mouth, jaws and face. • Pediatric otolaryngologist – ear, nose and throat doctor. • Orthodontist – treats misaligned teeth. • Speech pathologist – evaluates and treats speech, language, voice, swallowing, fluency, and other related disorders. • Geneticist – diagnoses, treats, and counsels patients with genetic disorders or syndromes. • Audiologist – diagnoses and treatment of hearing problems. • Social worker – performs casework and counseling. • Nurses – coordinates care, clinic visits, provides support and information. All have many years of experience working with children with clefts and their families. The first clinic visit usually happens in the first year, but not necessarily before surgery. For the
