Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital
Smile Train Cleft Leadership Center
Bangalore, India
At a Glance
- Founded in 1990
- Smile Train partner since 2005
- Our local partners at BMJH have performed more than 9000 Smile Train-sponsored cleft surgeries
History
Smile Train has been proud to partner with BMJH since 2005, supporting essential cleft care for more than 9000 patients. As a Smile Train Cleft Leadership Center, BMJH will work with Smile Train to expand its leadership role throughout India with ever-increasing cleft care programs, research and education, and training opportunities, positioning it as a resource hub for patients and providers across the region. Smile Train and BMJH are excited to work together to continue to transform cleft care in India – and to ensure that every child with a cleft receives the care they deserve.
“The comprehensive treatment of cleft lip and palate is a challenge. However, if excellence is to be achieved, ‘The Patient Comes First’ must be the recurring theme. Whether it is planning clinical services, expanding the current range of services, training caregivers, or undertaking research activities or advocacy, the end point must always be improving patient outcomes. I’m proud to be a part of an organization that is committed to improving the access and caliber of cleft care for children across the world.”
Dr. Krishnamurthy Bonanthaya
Cleft Surgeon and Smile Train Project Director
Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital
Bangalore
“Smile Train’s Cleft Leadership Centers (CLCs) will help strengthen health systems for cleft management throughout the country. Equipped with the latest technology and staffed with some of the area’s best-trained medical professionals, CLCs will be a model for cleft centers to ensure the highest standard of holistic cleft care is available for all. We are thankful for the support of Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital and its commitment always elevate the standard of care for patients with clefts.”
Mamta Carrol
Smile Train Vice President & Regional Director
Asia
Research and Publications
BMJH conducts a significant amount of clinical research to improve the quality of cleft care and build greater knowledge around cleft treatment. Research topics include nasoalveolar molding, early speech results, and the development of an algorithm for the management of Velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD). The center’s upcoming research focuses will include nutritional interventions for patients with clefts and their mothers.
Comprehensive cleft care programs at BMJ include:
- Plastic and reconstructive surgery
- ENT services
- Jaw treatment
- Orthodontics
- Pre-surgical orthopedics (Nasoalveolar molding)
- Speech services
- Surgical Fellowships and medical training
- Since 2010, BMJH, through its association with the Bangalore Institute of Dental Sciences, has hosted an accredited cleft lip and palate Fellowship program. This is a one-year, hands-on program has hosted 20 Fellows, many of whom were supported through Smile Train education grants. Several of these former Fellows are now Smile Train partners who lead cleft care programs across India.
- In 2015, BMJH was accredited as a cleft lip and palate training center by the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (IAOMS). Trainees have travelled from Iraq, Sudan, Israel and the Dominican Republic to learn at BMJH.
- International exchange training programs
- Speech and language pathology training
- Telehealth for virtual patient care
- Nutrition and growth monitoring
- Dental health education
- Dental care, ENT, and psychosocial support services will soon be offered