Role of Pediatric Dentist in the Management of Cleft Lip and Palate

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recognizes that providing both primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care to individuals with special health care needs is an integral part of the specialty of pediatric dentistry. In the craniofacial team the pedodontist may need to assume an important coordinating role. The timing and integration of phases of general dental, minor oral surgical, orthodontic, periodontic and prosthetic treatment with plastic, ENT and maxillofacial surgery, speech therapy and audiology often become his/her responsibility. In addition, the provision of a high standard of preventive and general dental care for the cleft patient must be maintained. To carry out this coordinating role effectively, the pediatric dentist must know the patient and his/her family well; he must be aware of the current concepts, objectives, treatment and investigatory techniques used in all aspects of cleft palate management; and should be aware of the genetics of the clefting conditions, medical problems which may commonly be associated with clefts.