HRAC-USP Centrinho Bauru
Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais
Smile Train Cleft Leadership Center
Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil
At a Glance
- Founded in 1967
- Smile Train partner since 2017
- Among the largest and oldest cleft treatment centers in Latin America
- Our local partners at the hospital have performed more than 11,500+ Smile Train-sponsored cleft surgeries to date – that’s more than 1,000 new smiles every year!
- Smile Train and HRAC-USP Centrinho Bauru graduated Smile Train - Rotary Club Surgical Fellows in Cleft Lip and Palate during their recent partnership. The Fellowship is a one-year, specialized training program that will build surgical capacity across Brazil.
History
Since its inception in 1967, HRAC-USP Centrinho Bauru has been a pioneer in treating clefts both in Brazil and around the world. Today, more than 53 years and 100,000 patients later, it continues to be a global leader in innovative, high-quality, patient-centered cleft care.
Smile Train has been a proud partner of HRAC-USP Centrinho Bauru since 2017, supporting essential cleft care for more than 11,500+ patients and counting. The CLC is advised by Smile Train Global Medical Advisory Board member Dr. Nivaldo Alonso, chief of the craniofacial surgery department of the University of São Paulo. It is run by Dr. Cristiano Tonello and features locally renowned cleft specialists, including Dr. Terumi Okawa. As a Cleft Leadership Center, Smile Train is supporting HRAC-USP Centrinho Bauru in expanding its historical leadership role through ever-growing research, education, and training opportunities and treatment programs, positioning it as a resource hub for patients and providers across Brazil. Smile Train and HRAC-USP Centrinho Bauru are excited to continue our work together transforming cleft care in Brazil — ensuring that every child with a cleft receives the care they deserve.
"This is certainly a major milestone in the path of pioneering and innovation at HRAC-USP. In addition to recognizing the leadership and reputation of our institution and the high standard of the services we provide, the expansion of this partnership will enable improvements in our physical infrastructure, equipment, and new technologies. This will benefit our research, training, and healthcare activities. It is an honor for the HRAC-USP team to be able to contribute their expertise to the continued development of highly qualified, specialized professionals across our country and region.”
Professor Carlos Ferreira dos Santos
Superintendent
HRAC-USP (Centrinho Bauru)
“Our partnership with HRAC-USP Centrinho Bauru has grown and deepened over the past eight years. Beyond their incredible impact in the number of patients treated, HRAC-USP is also a true center of excellence in education — training and inspiring cleft professionals from across Brazil and Latin America. Together, we continue to build a lasting legacy of high-quality, comprehensive care for people with clefts.”
Camila Rocha
Smile Train Regional Director
Latin America
Research and Publications
- Rapid Maxillary Expansion after Alveolar Bone Grafting with RhBMP-2 in UCLP Evaluated by Means of CBCT
- Tooth Abnormalities and Occlusal Disorders in Individuals With Frontonasal Dysplasia
- Size of Velopharyngeal Structures After Primary Palatoplasty
- Evaluation of maxillary alveolar reconstruction using a resorbable collagen sponge with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 in cleft lip and palate patients
- Novel rare variations in IRF6 in subjects with non-syndromic cleft lip and palate and dental agenesis
Comprehensive cleft care programs at HRAC-USP Centrinho Bauru include:
- Plastic and reconstructive surgery
- Maxillofacial surgery
- Mouth and gum surgery
- ENT services
- Jaw treatment (mixed dentition, pre-alveolar bone grafting surgery preparation)
- Pediatrics
- Pediatric intensive care unit
- Pediatric dentistry
- Orthodontics
- Odontology lab
- Nutrition counseling and support
- Breastfeeding support
- Speech services
- Psychological support
- Genetic counseling
- Physiotherapy
- Pharmaceutical services
- Continuing education for medical students and medical professionals
- Social support programs
- Telehealth for virtual patient care
