The Importance of Oral Health Guidance & Dental Care
Due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors, children with clefts are more prone to experiencing poor oral health, including dental caries, periodontal diseases, dental anomalies, and tooth malposition. These oral health challenges are often compounded by the fact that many children with clefts are marginalized and lack access to basic surgical and dental care. Dental care is an essential building block of successful cleft care. Without high-quality oral healthcare and good oral health, the long-term outcome for children with clefts is compromised.
A Partnership for Change
FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) and Smile Train, with support from GSK, are joining forces to create guidelines for both oral health and non-oral health communities around the importance of preventative and comprehensive dental care for patients with clefts:
Download the guidelines today
| Chinese | Portuguese |
| English | Russian |
| French | Spanish |
| Indonesian | Vietnamese |
Massive Open Online Course
| MOOC1 Comprehensive cleft care for cleft care teams |
MOOC2 Comprehensive cleft care for oral health professionals |
Educational Resources
For Oral Health Professionals
A cleft team is incomplete without an oral health professional. These resources are geared towards educating oral health professionals on the unique oral health needs of children with clefts.
| English | Participant | Trainer |
| Vietnamese | Participant | Trainer |
For Non-Oral Health Professionals
Oral health impacts every area of health, especially when it comes to children with clefts. These resources for non-oral health professionals ensure that all cleft care professionals understand the role of oral health in comprehensive cleft care and how they can support oral health for optimal outcomes.
| English | Participant | Trainer |
| Vietnamese | Participant | Trainer |
Advocating for Cleft on the Oral Health Agenda
In May 2021, at the 74th World Health Assembly (WHA), Smile Train, FDI, and the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) advocated for the inclusion of cleft lip and palate in Resolution WHA 74.5, a historic resolution on Oral health.
- Read FDI's Statement Preceding the 74th World Health Assembly
- Read IADR's Statement Preceding the 74th World Health Assembly
- Read the Joint Statement Delivered by FDI at the 74th World Health Assembly
Following the passage of the resolution, the World Health Organization drafted a global strategy on oral health, soliciting feedback from civil society and oral health stakeholders. FDI submitted a joint statement with feedback and recommendations for strengthening the implementation of the oral health resolution, including recognition of cleft lip and palate within the global burden of oral diseases, joining forces with Smile Train and more than 60 organizations who signed on in support of this feedback.
Safety and quality protocol in dental procedures: Patient safety is Smile Train´s #1 priority. This protocol describes detailed requirements that must be met by health care organizations providing dental care for patients born with clefts.
FDI ST Advocacy Guide
Smile Train will continue to advocate for cleft lip and palate as an essential focus area within international and national strategies to reduce the global burden of oral disease and advance Universal Health Coverage.
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Do you know a child in need of cleft care?
Refer them to one of Smile Train’s 1,000+ partner hospitals across 70+ countries.
Support Smile Train today
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Smile Train offer Dental Care Grants to partners?
At the moment, no. The goal of the new Oral Health in Comprehensive Cleft Care Guidelines, and the upcoming education resources from FDI, GSK, and Smile Train, is to set the foundation for this grant program in the near future. Please stay in touch with Smile Train to learn when these become available.
Can I volunteer to provide care around the world?
Smile Train is not a volunteer-based organization that organizes medical missions. We provide grants to local cleft teams so they can provide sustainable and comprehensive care on an ongoing basis to families in their communities. If you are based in a country where we support local partners, please find the closest partner to you and reach out directly to see if you can assist with providing cleft care.
What should I do if I meet a child with a cleft?
Please use the guidelines as a resource for providing local preventative and restorative care. Please also direct the family to the nearest Smile Train partner or write to info@smiletrain.org.
Additional Questions?
Contact us here.
Oral health providers’ contributions to quality outcomes in cleft care are immeasurable, yet widely misunderstood and underrated. Smile Train, FDI World Dental Federation and GSK’s partnership to create comprehensive guidelines and training materials on cleft oral health are a tremendous contribution to the global cleft and dental communities. They will empower providers globally to ensure children and adults with clefts can achieve improved oral health via prevention and access to quality services.
- Dr. Peter Mossey, Smile Train Global Medical Advisory Board, FDI Cleft Oral Health Expert Panel Member & the Director, WHO Collaborating Centre, Dean & Clinical Professor of University of Dundee