Survey of Services and Practices of Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Teams

Abstract

Questionnaire data about services and practices of cleft palate-craniofacial teams were obtained from 63 teams in 35 states. Findings indicate the following: (1) research was the least frequently conducted activity, although 73 percent of the teams indicated that they conducted research; and (2) the majority of those responding regarded cinefluoroscopy, endoscopy, perceptual assessment, oral examination, and videoendoscopy as important procedures, yet most patients (90%) seen by these teams did not receive instrumental assessment of velopharyngeal function.

Speech and Language Issues in the Cleft Palate Population: The State of the Art

“…Ten years later, a subsequent survey (Pannbacker et al, 1990) found that almost 80% of speech-language pathologists believed the oral examination to be valuable in assessing velopharyngeal function; however, 20% believed it was of little or no value. A survey of services and practices of Cleft Palate-Craniofacial teams (Pannbacker et al, 1992) revealed the oral-pharyngeal examination was rated as very important or important by 74% of teams responding (30%; Pannbacker et al, 1992). Although clinical wisdom supports the use of the direct oral-pharyngeal examination in evaluating velopharyngeal function, there have been no systematic investigations of its usefulness.…”

A Survey of Multidisciplinary Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Team Examination Formats

“…1,2 Centers worldwide treat children by multidisciplinary teams with good outcomes. 1,2 Centers worldwide treat children by multidisciplinary teams with good outcomes.…”

Team approach to management of oro-facial cleft among African practitioners: A survey

“…[1] A wide variety of healthcare specialists is therefore required in the management of such conditions. [1][2][3] Although management of oro-facial cleft deformities has received enormous attention in the literature, interdisciplinary care approach has been recommended recently and several descriptions have appeared in the literature. [2,3] The best environment for cleft care is the one that features an interdisciplinary team of healthcare providers including orthodontics, plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS), otorhinolaryngology, and speech pathology.…”

“…[1][2][3] Although management of oro-facial cleft deformities has received enormous attention in the literature, interdisciplinary care approach has been recommended recently and several descriptions have appeared in the literature. [2,3] The best environment for cleft care is the one that features an interdisciplinary team of healthcare providers including orthodontics, plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS), otorhinolaryngology, and speech pathology. [1][2][3][4][5] Other specialties such as audiology, pediatric surgery and genetics or psychology have been mentioned in the literature but their services are not universal.…”

“…[2,3] The best environment for cleft care is the one that features an interdisciplinary team of healthcare providers including orthodontics, plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS), otorhinolaryngology, and speech pathology. [1][2][3][4][5] Other specialties such as audiology, pediatric surgery and genetics or psychology have been mentioned in the literature but their services are not universal. [5,6] Effective team-based care delivery has the ability to provide coordination and communication between professionals involved in oro-facial cleft care.…”