The Importance of Oral Health Guidance & Dental Care
Children with clefts are more likely to experience poor oral health, including tooth decay, gum diseases, dental anomalies, and crooked teeth. And each of these problems is made exponentially worse by the marginalization and lack of access to general dental care so many of our patients suffer. Quality, specialized dental care is, therefore, an essential building block of successful cleft care. Without it, children with clefts may never know a happy, healthy smile, even after surgery.
A Partnership for Change
FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) and Smile Train, with support from Haleon, 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 (MOOC)
Learn more about the role of oral health in comprehensive cleft care in this three-hour online course, which includes units on cleft prevention, common oral health problems, and oral health care for people with clefts.
Educational Resources
For Oral Health Professionals
A cleft team is incomplete without an oral health professional. If that is you, these resources will help you understand the unique oral health needs of children with clefts.
| Arabic | Participant | Trainer |
| Bahasa | Participant | Trainer |
| Chinese | Participant | Trainer |
| English | Participant | Trainer |
| French | Participant | Trainer |
| Portuguese | Participant | Trainer |
| Spanish | 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. If you are a cleft-team member who does not identify as an oral health professional, these resources will help you understand the role of oral health in comprehensive cleft care and how you can support oral health for optimal patient outcomes, whatever your specialty.
| Arabic | Participant | Trainer |
| Bahasa | Participant | Trainer |
| Chinese | Participant | Trainer |
| English | Participant | Trainer |
| French | Participant | Trainer |
| Portuguese | Participant | Trainer |
| Spanish | Participant | Trainer |
| Vietnamese | Participant | Trainer |
Supported by
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 including cleft lips and palates in Resolution WHA 74.5, a historic measure 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
Once the resolution passed, the World Health Organization solicited feedback from civil society and oral health stakeholders to draft a global strategy on oral health. FDI submitted a joint statement with feedback and recommendations for how to better implement the oral health resolution, including recognizing clefts within the global burden of oral diseases. Smile Train joined with more than 60 organizations to sign on in support of this feedback.
Safety and quality protocol in dental procedures: Patient safety is Smile Train’s number-one priority. This protocol details the requirements that healthcare organizations providing dental care for people with clefts must meet.
FDI Smile Train Advocacy Guide
Smile Train will continue to advocate for including clefts as an essential focus area within international and national strategies for reducing the global burden of oral disease and advancing Universal Health Coverage.
| English | Vietnamese |
"Oral health providers’ contributions to quality outcomes in cleft care are immeasurable, yet widely misunderstood and underrated. Smile Train, FDI World Dental Federation, and Haleon’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 Member; FDI Cleft Oral Health Expert; Panel Member and Director, WHO Collaborating Centre; Dean and Clinical Professor, University of Dundee
Do you know a child in need of cleft care?
Refer them to one of Smile Train’s 1,000+ local partners across 75+ countries.
Support Smile Train today
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Smile Train offer dental care grants to partners?
At the moment, no. The new Oral Health in Comprehensive Cleft Care Guidelines and the upcoming education resources from FDI, Haleon, and Smile Train aim to lay 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 does not send medical volunteers on surgical missions. We give grants to local cleft teams so they can provide sustainable and comprehensive care on an ongoing basis to families in their own communities. If you are based in a country where we support local partners, please find the closest one 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. You should also direct the family to their nearest Smile Train partner or write to info@smiletrain.org.
Additional Questions?
Contact us here.