Title : The multidisciplinary management of cleft lip and palate
Abstract:
Children born with cleft lip and palate have many problems that need to be solved for successful habilitation. The complexity of these problems requires that numerous health care practitioners cooperate in providing the specialized knowledge and skills necessary to ensure comprehensive care.[1-8] The multidisciplinary cleft lip and palate team concept has evolved from that need. To address the many treatment regimens and different care protocols, the American Cleft Palate–Craniofacial Association convened a consensus conference on recommended practices for the care of patients with craniofacial anomalies. This conference produced the document ?Parameters for Evaluation and Treatment of Patients with Cleft Lip/Palate or Other Craniofacial Anomalies.1 This serves as a guide for implementing the multidisciplinary approach to cleft and craniofacial care and is used by teams in the United States and Canada.[1-11] These specialists should represent the disciplines of audiology, radiology/medical imaging, genetics/genetic counseling, neurology and neurosurgery, nursing, ophthalmology, plastic and reconstructive surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, otolaryngology, pediatric medicine, pediatric dentistry, psychology, social work, and speech-language pathology.[11,12] The aim of this presentation is to discuss the advantages of and some of the problems with the team management. The types and characteristics of teams are described. Finally, information is given on how to find a specialty team in order to refer a child for further assessment and intervention as appropriate.[1-12]
