The Cleft Lip and Palate Center with its team of internationally recognized specialists offers comprehensive services for the diagnosis and treatment of individuals with cleft lip, cleft palate and other congenital or developmental facial disorders.

The Center is fully recognized and approved by both the American Cleft Lip and Palate Association and the American Dental Association. The Center serves private patients who are charged standard fees, and is approved for state coverage by the Bureau for Families with Special Needs.

A TEAM OF SPECIALISTS The team, using the latest in state-of-the-art maxillofacial procedures is known for correcting cleft lip, cleft palate, facial growth problems, and for improving the patient's appearance. THE TEAM: Plastic Surgeon Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon Orthodontists Dentists Speech-Language Pathologists Audiologists Social Workers Psychologist Otolaryngologist Genetic Counselor Pediatricians Nurses THERAPEUTIC SERVICES Speech-language therapy for all patients Referrals are made to the appropriate team specialists		COMPREHENSIVE CLEFT LIP AND PALATE EVALUATIONS INCLUDE: An initial interview Speech and hearing screenings Plastic surgery consultations Dental consultations Prosthodontic, orthodontic, and surgical consultations General medical/pediatric evaluations Genetic assessments Psychological screenings Social work interviews Specialized tests, including nasopharyngoscopy and dental services, including general dentistry Videofluoroscopy
THE CLEFT PALATE - WHAT IS IT? The cleft palate, a congenital split in the roof of the mouth, occurs in approximately one of every 75O births. It is also the cause of many speech problems, impairing speech if not surgically repaired. Readily detected because of a thin layer of tissue covering the defect, surgery is usually performed before the child learns to speak, generally between the ages of 12 to 18 months. Many children born with cleft palates achieve normal speech following surgery, although therapy is often required to correct inappropriate nasal/air flow and articulation problems. THE CLEFT LIP - WHAT IS IT? About one baby in 750 is born with a cleft lip, a congenital split in the upper lip. If left uncorrected, a cleft lip can cause physical and emotional problems and affect a child's speech, so surgery is performed around the age of ten weeks. Today, through medical advancements, it's very encouraging to know that babies born with cleft lip, palate, or both, have a better chance than ever before to lead a completely normal life.