Specialty Cleft Care Team Providers
A cleft care team is a group of specialists who work together to support children born with cleft lip and/or palate over time. Because cleft conditions can affect feeding, speech, hearing, dental development, and facial growth, care often involves several different types of providers. Team-based care helps ensure that each child’s needs are anticipated and supported at every stage of development, from infancy through childhood and adolescence.
The Cleft Palate Team at Providence Saint John’s
The Cleft Palate Team at Providence Saint John’s brings together specialists in surgery, speech and feeding, dentistry, nursing, and mental health who collaborate closely to support each child and family. During team visits, families may meet with several providers in one coordinated clinic, allowing the team to share perspectives and develop thoughtful care plans together.
Our goal is to provide care that evolves with each child’s development, supporting medical needs while also attending to communication, emotional well-being, and family support along the way.
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
The surgeon leads the surgical care of children with cleft lip and palate and works closely with the broader team to guide treatment planning over time. The plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in cleft and craniofacial care performs procedures that support facial development, speech, and overall function while helping families understand each step of the surgical journey.
Nurses and Nurse Specialists
Nurses and nurse specialists help families navigate care from the earliest stages. They provide feeding guidance for infants, help coordinate appointments and procedures, and serve as a consistent point of contact for day-to-day questions. Their role helps families feel supported and informed throughout each stage of treatment.
Speech-Language Pathologists
Speech-language pathologists support feeding in infancy and monitor speech development as children grow. They assess how the palate functions for speech, evaluate articulation and resonance, and provide therapy or guidance when needed. Their goal is to help children develop clear, confident communication at home, in school, and with peers.
Orthodontists
The orthodontist monitors jaw growth and tooth alignment as children develop. Because cleft conditions can affect how teeth and jaws form, orthodontic care is carefully coordinated with surgical and dental planning to support proper bite, alignment, and long-term oral health.
Pediatric Dentists
The pediatric dentist helps monitor oral health and early dental development in children with cleft conditions. They provide preventive dental care, guidance on oral hygiene, and ongoing monitoring as teeth emerge and grow, helping support healthy development and preparing for future orthodontic care when needed.
Psychologists and Mental Health Professionals
Mental health professionals support the emotional well-being of children and families as they navigate the medical and social aspects of living with a cleft condition. Support may include brief consultations during team visits, guidance for parents, and referrals for longer-term care when helpful. Our program also emphasizes connection and community through initiatives such as peer support opportunities, parent resources, and programs designed to help families learn from and support one another.
-
More information coming soon
-
The clinical program manager helps coordinate the many moving parts of multidisciplinary cleft care. They support clinic organization, help families navigate appointments and resources, and work behind the scenes to ensure communication and coordination across the team so that care remains smooth and well integrated.
-
More info coming soon…
-
More information coming soon
-
More info coming soon…
-
More information coming soon
-
More info coming soon…
-
Item description
-
More information coming soon
-
More info coming soon…
-
Item description
-
Item description