Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Clinic
UNLV School of Dental Medicine’s Advanced Needs Clinic serves patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, geriatric residents, and those with special needs including children born with craniofacial anomalies such as cleft palates.
About the Clinic
Medical conditions that target the head and face can seriously impact a person’s physical and emotional well-being, especially during their formative years. Infants born with cleft lips and/or palates can have difficulty nursing, repeating sounds, and swallowing.
Our Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Clinic houses a multi-specialty team of medical professionals that prepares a reconstructive treatment plan for children. born with cleft lips, palates, or other craniofacial differences. Our team delivers comprehensive, compassionate care using the latest procedures and therapies to transform the lives and futures of our patients.
We offer treatment funding assistance for patients newborn to 18 years of age. Patients older than 18 may schedule a free consultation, and any treatment recommended beyond the consultation will be his or her responsibility. Our team will help guide you to appropriate care and resources whenever possible.
Our Services and Specialties
Our team comprises professionals who represent several specialties that are integral to the success of this long-term treatment plan, including:
- Audiology
- Dental Medicine
- Genetics
- Neurosurgery
- Optometry
- Oral Maxillofacial Surgery
- Orthodontics
- Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose, and Throat)
- Pediatrics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Plastic Surgery
- Psychiatry
- Speech Language and Pathology (SLP)
- Social Work
Procedures
Cleft Lips
Cleft lips are typically repaired between 3 and 6 months of age. During those first few months, your child is monitored closely for adequate weight gain and nutrition and to make sure that there are no issues relative to breathing while eating.
Cleft Palate Surgery
Cleft palate surgery fixes the roof of the mouth so your child can eat and speak normally. This is a more complicated surgery compared to cleft lip, and has the best outcome when the child is slightly older and better able to tolerate the surgery, but before significant speech development occurs. Surgical repair of the palate generally occurs around the first year of age, following the successful repair of cleft lip if present. In some cases, a second operation is needed.
Craniofacial Procedures
Craniofacial procedures involve complex surgeries to reshape the patient’s skull with a goal to improve appearance and function. Several specialists, including neurosurgeons, plastic surgeons and orthodontists, participate in these procedures to ensure the best possible outcome.
Scheduling and Preparing for Your Visit
If you have questions about our clinic or becoming a patient, or you need to schedule or reschedule an appointment, contact our clinic coordinator, Chelsey Nicol, by emailing chelsey.nicol@unlv.edu or calling 702-774-2450.
Chelsey, who is a former cleft lip and palate patient, will help guide you through the treatment process by scheduling initial appointments and follow-up visits; sharing information about the procedures; and offering recommendations for everyday items to help your child thrive.
Before your appointment date, complete the medical questionnaire. Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time, and remember to bring the following:
- Photo ID or driver’s license
- Insurance card
- Dental and medical records
- Any paperwork from previous treatments
- Recent x-rays (if available)
Contact Us
For inquiries, call 702-774-2450.
Hours of Operation
The clinic will be open 8 a.m. to noon on the following dates:
- February 10
- March 10
- April 14
- May 12
- June 9
- July 14
- August 11
- September 8
- October 13
- November 10
- December 08
Location
UNLV School of Dental Medicine
1700 W. Charleston Blvd.
Building D
Las Vegas, NV 89106
Patient and Family Resources
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