Oral Health in Comprehensive Cleft Care
Clefts of the lip and palate (clefts) are the most common birth defect of the face and mouth. Clefts occur when parts of the lip and/or palate and nose do not fuse together during embryonic development. Clefts can be associated with missing or extra teeth, and malformed teeth and facial structures. Even children who undergo cleft surgery are often at an increased risk for caries, periodontal disease, and other oral health and wellbeing issues as they grow and develop.
Clefts of the lip and palate (clefts) are the most common birth defect of the face and mouth. Clefts occur when parts of the lip and/or palate and nose do not fuse together during embryonic development. Clefts can be associated with missing or extra teeth, and malformed teeth and facial structures. Even children who undergo cleft surgery are often at an increased risk for caries, periodontal disease, and other oral health and wellbeing issues as they grow and develop.
These children require regular dental care to ensure adequate monitoring, education, support, and treatment to prevent oral disease and achieve the highest possible quality of life. FDI joined forces with Smile Train, with funding and crucial support from GSK Consumer Healthcare, to provide essential resources on the standard of oral health and dental care for children with clefts.
Over the last two years, FDI and Smile Train has produced a suite of educational resources for oral health and non-oral health professionals.
This webinar will present:
- The resources that were developed, the process to utilize them, and a recent case study from Nigeria.
- Gaps in current literature and access to cleft education and treatment, and how Smile Train funding supports establishments training and providing cleft care.
- The advocacy work carried out by FDI and ST to ensure cleft is incorporated into global health programs and what is next on the global agenda.
Learning objectives:
- How to use the FDI/ST educational resources
- Gaps in current literature
- The guidelines developed and launched through the partnership