Should GPs Treat Clefting Patients?

Have you ever wondered whether orthodontics professionals and GPs should provide treatment plans for clefting patients? In many cases, cleft palates can seem like they’ll be outside of the scope of a general dentist’s orthodontics services. But how does this work? Should you attempt a cleft lip or cleft palate case? We’ve outlined the main things you need to know to help with this decision.
Should GPs Treat Clefting Patients?
If you’re a general dentist providing orthodontics services, you’ll likely want to avoid clefting patients in many cases. As a result, if you get a patient who has either a cleft palate or a cleft lip, it may be best to refer them to a specialist orthodontist for appropriate treatment. Failing this, you may want to refer the patient to a craniofacial team locally.
Of course, it’s worth noting here that the majority of cleft palate or cleft lip patients will have received surgery at a young age to resolve these symptoms. As a result, you may not see obvious signs, but there may be an abnormal ridge at the top of the mouth or missing teeth where the cleft was originally.
It’s worth noting that lip-only cases are generally less problematic than a full cleft palate, although these can still be much trickier to address – potentially being tighter or more likely to be a Class III case.
Get Professional Support
If you have trouble working out whether you should attempt a case or not, getting professional support can really help. So, don’t chance it; contact our experts for additional guidance in your own cases today.