I haven't had to deal with many cleft cases in my career, but the subject is an important one.  For the simple reason that it isn't incredibly common, the knowledge clinicians need to help these patients is limited.  Schools don't have the time to provide extensive training on the subject, leaving that to residency programs or specialty degree programs.  However, when a doctor or hygienist needs that knowledge, you truly *need* it.  

The most severe case I've dealt with was a family who had a son born with bilateral cleft lip and cleft palate.  Fortunately for me, the KC area has Children's Mercy Hospital that focuses on pediatrics.  The cleft team at the hospital did a tremendous job with the multiple surgeries over the years.  Their follow-up and communication with me as the long term care provider was fantastic.  They provided me with any and all information I needed to care for the patient as treatment progressed over the years.  I combined their communication with a lot of online searching to help me.  

However, not every area has a facility like Children's Mercy Hospital which can provide that level of care and communication.  If you are the provider for a patient with a cleft situation or if you simply want to be better informed about dentistry's long term role in caring for these patients, here is information on a webinar you should attend.  It is being provided by the charity Smile Train.

Smile Train is the largest cleft-focused organization with a model of true sustainability — providing training, funding, and resources to empower local medical professionals in 75+ countries to provide 100%-free cleft surgery and other forms of essential cleft care in their own communities.

In recognition of World Oral Health Day, Smile Train is hosting a global webinar, “Oral Health in Cleft Care: Moving from Vision to Reality,” on March 19. The event will bring together leading experts to discuss the critical role of oral healthcare in comprehensive cleft treatment and how strengthening prevention and access can improve outcomes for children worldwide.

Speakers include Dr. Mónica Domínguez (Smile Train), Prof. Peter Mossey (University of Dundee / WHO Collaborating Centre for Craniofacial Anomalies), Dr. Daisy Masis (pediatric dentist and Smile Train partner), and Dr. Bieke L. Kreps (NYU College of Dentistry / Ghent University Hospital).

You can register for the *free* webinar here.