Health Information
Doctors Who Treat Cleft Lip and Palate
Topic Overview
Often, several doctors and other health professionals will help care for a child with Reference cleft lip Opens New Window and/or Reference cleft palate Opens New Window. The team may include primary care health professionals, surgeons, dentists and orthodontists, and a variety of therapists. The staff at most large hospitals can help you to know who you need to see and when. They can also help you schedule appointments.
Primary care health professionals
If your child is born with cleft lip and/or palate, your primary care health professionals may include:
- A Reference pediatrician Opens New Window or Reference family medicine doctor Opens New Window.
- Reference Nurses Opens New Window, Reference nurse practitioners Opens New Window, or Reference physician assistants Opens New Window.
Specialists
A child born with cleft lip and/or cleft palate needs ongoing evaluation from medical specialists. Sometimes, ongoing procedures or surgery may be needed.
Specialists include:
- Reference Dentists Opens New Window, especially pediatric dentists, and other doctors who have trained in dental problems related to facial deformities, such as maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontists, and prosthodontists.
- Reference Plastic surgeons Opens New Window.
- Reference Otolaryngologists or ENT doctors Opens New Window (specialists in care of the ears, nose, and throat).
Specialized therapists
Depending on the exact nature of the problems, a child born with cleft lip and/or cleft palate may need specialized therapy. A wide range of services are available to screen for and treat specific issues, such as speech, hearing, or mental health problems. You may consult:
- Reference Speech and language pathologists Opens New Window.
- Reference Hearing therapists (audiologists) Opens New Window.
- Reference Occupational therapists Opens New Window.
- Reference Psychologists Opens New Window.
- Reference Social workers Opens New Window.
- Reference Lactation consultant Opens New Window.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference January 19, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference John Pope, MD - Pediatrics
Reference Adam David Schaffner, MD, FACS - Plastic Surgery, Otolaryngology |
|
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
