Role of a paediatric dentist in the management of cleft lip and palate – A review and A case report.

Cleft palate (CP) and cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) are seen as congenital defects in approximately one in 800 new born infants. CP and CL/P patients are posed with a number of problems which include difficulty in feeding, nasal regurgitation, speech difficulties, aesthetic problems and psychosocial problems.The comprehensive treatment of patients born with clefts of the lip and palate involves many disciplines. The role of a paediatric dentist is important during the various orofacial developmental stages of the child. Paediatric dentist plays a pivotal role in the delivery of feeding plates, maxillary obturators, presurgical orthopaedic appliances and preventive dental treatment. This article highlights the role of a paediatric dentist as a member of the multidisciplinary team in the management of patients with CP and CL/P and a case report to illustrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]