Pediatric Dentistry

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The role of pediatric dentistry in treating individuals with cleft and craniofacial anomalies is the comprehensive preventative and therapeutic oral health care of children from birth through adolescence and special patients beyond the age of adolescence who demonstrate mental, physical, and/or emotional problems. In addition, the pediatric dentist should provide preventative counseling and caries control to maintain the child's oral cavity in a state that maximizes the outcomes of therapies provided by other team members.

  1. Prenatal
    1. Parental information and support.
      1. Maximize the families' support network.
      2. Minimize the transmission of cariogenic bacteria from the parents to the child.
    2. Provide information to parents about neonatal treatment options.
      1. This will maximize their ability to make informed decisions about treatment options such as pre-surgical infant orthopedics.
  2. Neonatal
    1. Parental information and support.
    2. Pre-surgical infant orthopedics (see the orthodontic section for more information).
    3. Growth and development monitoring.
    4. Caries prevention.
  3. Infant
    1. Caries prevention counseling.
    2. Peri-operative care.
    3. Infant orthopedics continued.
    4. Growth and development monitoring.
  4. Toddler
    1. Caries prevention.
    2. Growth and development monitoring.
  5. Preschool
    1. Caries prevention.
    2. Growth and development monitoring.
    3. Behavior modifications.
    4. Routine dental care.
    5. Interceptive orthodontics where appropriate.
    6. Restorative procedures.
  6. School-Aged: Same as preschool plus preparation for alveolar bone grafting where necessary.
    1. Oral hygiene guidance.
    2. Removal of primary dentition in surgical site.
  7. Adolescents
    1. Oral hygiene.
    2. Periodontal concerns.
    3. Support during comprehensive orthodontic treatment.
    4. Caries prevention.
  8. Adult
    1. Preparation for transfer to general dentist or other dental specialist.
    2. Monitor third molar and refer to OMFS where appropriate.

Core Curriculum for Cleft Palate and Other Craniofacial Anomalies

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