Cleft Lip & Palate Guide

Who Treats Cleft Lip and Palate?

Your child needs a treatment plan that is made just for him. The plan requires a team of people who play different roles in your child’s care. This team is called the craniofacial team. The Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Craniofacial team includes the following professionals:

Audiologist (aw dee ah’ lah jist): A person who studies and tests sound and hearing

Craniofacial surgeon (cray’ nee o fay shul/sur’ jen): The doctor who performs many of your child’s facial surgeries

Dental hygienist (hi jen’ ist) and assistants: People who provide many types of dental care and education for parents

Geneticist (jen et’ ah sist): A doctor who studies genetics (the study of genes)

Lactation (lack tay’ shun) Consultant: A person who helps with breastfeeding and pumping breast milk

Neuropsychologist (ner o sy call’ a jist): A person who tests children to find out about and help with cognitive (mental skills) problems

Nurse: Someone who coordinates care and provides education

Nutritionist (new trish’ on ist): A person who plans healthy diets and helps with feedings

Occupational (oc you pay’ shun ul) therapist: A person who helps people with daily care activities like feeding and bathing

Orthodontist (orth ah don’ tist): A dentist who uses braces and other devices to correct problems in the teeth and jaws

Otolaryngologist (o to lair in gol’ ah jist): An ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor

Pediatric (pee dee at’ rick) dentist: A dentist with advanced training to help children with special dental problems

Prosthodontist (pros thah don’ tist): A dentist who makes and fits appliances and artificial teeth

Psychologist (sy call’ a jist): A person with special training to help people with emotional or behavioral needs

Social worker: A person who provides counseling and resources to people

Speech/language pathologist (path ah’ lah jist): A therapist who helps people improve their speech

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