Patient Care

This page contains resources for families and individuals affected by cleft lip/palate. Having a child with a cleft lip/palate can be unexpected. It is important to remember that as a parent of a child with a cleft lip/palate, you are not alone. The following resources will be useful in answering some of your questions regarding cleft lip/palate, corrective surgery, as well as family and individual support services.

Smile Train's vision is that every child born with a cleft anywhere in the world has the same opportunity to live a full, productive life. We do this by providing free cleft surgery to hundreds of thousands of poor children in developing countries as well as training doctors and medical professionals in over 80 countries. Although our programs focus on cleft care in the developing world, we hope this resource page is helpful for anyone affected by cleft lip/palate, anywhere in the world.

Would you like to talk to someone over the phone? The Cleft Palate Foundation operates CLEFTLINE, a toll-free number for information about cleft lip/palate. They can be reached at 1-800-24-CLEFT (1-800-242-5338) or 919-933-9044.

If you live in the UK, The Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA) offers a parent support network, which lists parents who will be willing to answer questions about cleft lip/palate. Or you can contact CLAPA directly at 020 7833 4883.

General Information about Cleft Lip and Palate

Information about what causes cleft lip and palate and how/when treatment can take place

Feeding & Nutrition

Strategies for safely feeding a baby with a cleft lip and/or palate

Finding a Medical Team or Smile Train Partner

Links and suggestions for finding a medical team

Financial Assistance

Resources related to paying for surgeries and treatment

Preparing for Surgery

Resources to help parents and their children prepare for cleft lip/palate surgery physically, emotionally and mentally

Post-Surgery

Information about wound care, feeding and follow-up after repair surgery

Ongoing Treatment

Learn more about speech therapy, orthodontics, follow-up surgery and other potential treatment needs.

Sources of Support

Resources providing emotional support to families and individuals with cleft lip/palate