• Faculty of Dentistry
  • Main Office: +60379674800 | Clinical: +60379674818
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CLEFT LIP AND PALATE DEFORMITY

Cleft lip and palate is the commonest congenital deformity affecting 1:600 new born in most Asian countries including Malaysia. Cleft lip and palate results in functional and aesthetic problems that inevitably affects the patient’s quality of and their family members.

Table 1: Problems associated with cleft lip and palate

  • Facial deformity
  • Feeding difficulties
  • Other associated deformities – eg. Heart, fingers, global developmental issues etc
  • Hearing deficiencies and middle ear infection
  • Speech deficiencies
  • Dental problems
  • Discrepancy in facial skeletal pattern and jaw relationship
  • Psychosocial issues
  • Learning disability – in some patients

Fortunately, the management of cleft lip and palate has been well recognized.

Given the spectrum of issues associated with cleft lip and palate deformity, a multidisciplinary team approach is imperative.

The University of Malaya multidisciplinary clinic for cleft lip and palate has been established since the year 2000. The clinic is called “UM Combined Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic” (UM-CCC). Our aim is to provide

Table 2: Team members of UM Combined Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic (UM-CCC)
 

Specialty

Role

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons

Surgical corrections of cleft lip and palate repair from birth to adulthood, including management of secondary cleft deformity

Plastic Surgeons

Surgical corrections of primary cleft lip and palate deformity

Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeons

Surgical corrections of cleft lip and palate repair in relation to ear infection and hearing deficiencies, including correction of secondary nasal deformity

Paediatrician

Management of systemic issues in the pediatric patients, identifying and confirming associated abnormalities or syndromic cases, Genetic counseling, monitoring of growth and development where necessary, feeding and dietary advice

Paediatric dentist

Management and prevention of paediatric dental diseases

Orthodontist

Pre-surgical orthopaedic appliances
Alignment of teeth and correction of malocclusion

Restorative dentists and prosthodontists

Dental treatment and prosthesis for adult patients

Community dentist

Plans awareness programme for the community

Audiologist

Hearing assessment

Speech therapist

Speech evaluation and corrective therapy

NGO support group (CLAPAM)

Peer support for parents, family and patients. Assist in fund raising when necessary

Nurse coordinator

Coordinates patients’ appointment, receives and channels enquiries to appropriate team members.

Last Update: 17/11/2021