Why Choose the Cleft Lip and Palate Program

Founded in 1953 as part of our internationally recognized Facial Reconstruction Center, our Cleft Lip and Palate Program is one of the largest in the nation. Patients with cleft lip and palate benefit from an integrated treatment approach that brings together the many specialties that they might need in the long-term care and management of their condition.

Comprehensive care

Our Cleft Lip and Palate Program consists of a multidisciplinary team of plastic surgeons, pediatricians, orthodontists, pediatric dentists, speech specialists, otolaryngologists, audiologists, genetic counselors, nurse team coordinators, and social workers, all of whom have the same goal — working together and with your family to provide the best possible outcomes and improve your child’s quality of life.

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is one of the few centers in the country to offer a fully integrated craniofacial orthodontics clinic. Our orthodontic team has extensive experience treating patients with cleft lip and palate, and we are one of a few pediatric institutions to offer nasoalveolar molding, a surgical preparation therapy that may be indicated for infants born with cleft lip and palate.

Surgical specialists

Our world-renowned pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgeons serve as consultants to other teams, both nationally and internationally. This experience means the best surgical results and long-term outcomes for your child.

Surgical management of children and adolescents requires a unique approach, and our specialists are dedicated to meeting the needs of this patient population.

Expert diagnosis

We use state-of-the-art diagnostic tools in the diagnosis and treatment of children with cleft lip and palate. Accurate diagnosis guides treatment recommendations and ensures that each child receives individualized care based on his or her unique condition.

Innovation and research

We are a leader in pediatric plastic surgery research, committed to finding innovative surgical therapies, devices and techniques that will expand the treatment options available and improve outcomes, both physical and psychological, for children with facial and body differences.