About Cleft

How To Treat Cleft Conditions?

Repairing a cleft condition is not cosmetic surgery – it’s essential healthcare.
Left untreated, cleft lip and cleft palate can be life-threatening. If a child does survive,
they face life-long health, social, and economic hardships.

Cleft Surgeon, Faustin Ntirenganya of Rwanda. Operation Smile Mission to Bushenge, Rwanda

How do you Treat a Cleft Condition?

Cleft treatment involves surgical repair, with children often requiring multiple surgeries as they grow. Comprehensive care, including nutrition, speech therapy, oral health, and psychosocial support, addresses each child’s unique needs.

Surgeons performing a cleft repair

A team of specialists are often needed to provide comprehensive care at medical milestones throughout a child’s life, including:

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Cleft Repair Surgeons

Plastic surgeons who specialize in performing operations to repair cleft conditions.

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Oral Surgeons

Experts in surgical procedures involving the mouth, jaw, and related structures.

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ENT Doctors

Also known as otorhinolaryngologists, ENTs specialize in conditions affecting the ears, nose, and throat.

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Pediatricians

Doctors who specialize in the medical care of children.

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Pediatric Dentists

Doctors specializing in pediatric oral health provide dental care specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of children with cleft conditions.

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Orthodontists

Dentists specializing in the alignment and positioning of teeth and jaws.

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Nurses

Medical professionals who provide essential care, support, and education to children and their families throughout the treatment process.

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Auditory or Hearing Specialists

Specialists who address
hearing-related concerns.

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Speech Therapists

Specialists who work to improve speech and language development in children with cleft conditions.

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Social Workers

Professionals who help families navigate the challenges associated with cleft conditions and connect them with necessary resources.

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Psychologists

Doctors who specialize in mental and emotional health.

How does Operation Smile Help?

In countries like Canada, children born with cleft lip or cleft palate receive treatment early in life, reducing the occurrence or severity of the conditions’ long-term impact. Children born in low- and middle-income countries often face health inequity, leading to delayed treatment or no treatment at all.

That’s why Operation Smile mobilizes volunteer medical professionals and resources to offer free surgical operations, comprehensive care, and support to those in need, ensuring that every individual has access to safe and effective treatment. Additionally, we work to build up local medical infrastructure for sustainable and lasting impact on the community.

Operation Smile is dedicated to the highest quality of cleft care. We focus on:

Operating room

Safe, sterile surgical environments

We practice the highest standards of surgical safety, regardless of the country we’re working in. When parents arrive with their children at one of our medical programs, they can have confidence that we’re providing the same level of quality care that we would if it were our own child.

Plastic Surgeon Prof Faustin Ntirenganya and Dr Furaha Charles, Dr Françoise Mukagaju, Dr Ian Shyaka, Dr Yves Nezerwa, Dr Mukamitari Victoire, Dr Oyuzuzo Thierry, Dr Jean Luc Niyonsaba, Dr Eugene Sindikubwabo, Dr Clovis Paulin Baramburiye, Dr Emmanuel Tuyisenge

A team approach

Our multidisciplinary team of certified nurses, anesthesiologists, pediatricians, surgeons, and specialists delivers exceptional cleft care with love and kindness. We continue to build capacity for surgery and care by investing in education and training of local medical professionals so that more children can get the care they need, closer to home.

Dr Françoise Mukagaju, female, Surgeon, whit Dr Victoire Mukamitari, COSECSA training program.

Comprehensive Treatment

The journey to a new smile does not begin or end with surgery. Each child receives comprehensive care based on their individual needs, whether that’s nutritional support to grow strong enough for surgery, psychosocial care pre- and post-op, or dental and orthodontic care.