Who Treats Children With Cleft Lip and/or Palate?
Due to the number of oral health and medical problems associated with a cleft lip or cleft palate, a team of doctors and other specialists is usually involved in the care of these children. Members of a cleft lip and palate team typically include: • Plastic surgeon to evaluate and perform necessary surgeries on the lip and/or palate • An otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat doctor) to evaluate hearing problems and consider treatment options for hearing problems • An oral surgeon to reposition segments of the upper jaw when needed, to improve function and appearance and to repair the cleft of the gum • An orthodontist to straighten and reposition teeth • A dentist to perform routine dental care • A prosthodontist to make artificial teeth and dental appliances to improve the appearance and to meet functional requirements for eating and speaking • A speech pathologist to assess speech and feeding problems • A speech therapist to work with the child to improve speech • An audiologist
