How we can all help improve standards of care for children with clefts to optimize their oral health
PR91967
GENEVA, September 30, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --
FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) releases new educational resources to mark
World Smile Day®
Globally, every three minutes a baby is born with a cleft, that's 540 babies
every day. Babies born with a cleft often struggle to eat, breathe, hear,
speak, and thrive. Every child has the right to good oral health, which is why
FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) joined forces with Smile Train, to launch new
educational resources
(https://fdiworlddental.org/oral-health-comprehensive-cleft-care), aimed at
improving the quality of life for people born with clefts.
- Picture is available at AP Images (http://www.apimages.com) –
Cleft lip and palate (clefts) are the most common birth difference of the face
and mouth and impact the development of the mouth, gums, and palate. Children
with clefts are also uniquely susceptible to poor oral health and are commonly
affected by missing, extra, or malformed teeth and facial structures. Even
children who receive cleft surgery are at an increased risk for caries,
periodontal disease, and other oral health and well-being challenges as they
grow and develop.
The resources, which were developed with support from GSK Consumer Healthcare,
aim to give every child a reason to smile this World Smile Day® through the
delivery of optimal oral healthcare. The material includes guidelines for
dentists and other key members of the cleft care team as well as resources for
patients, families, and communities, which highlight the importance of oral
health, explain the challenges of oral healthcare beyond cleft surgery, and
provide vital oral health guidance.
"As oral health professionals, we know the long-term impact that oral diseases
can have on the overall health, development and well-being of children and
adults," said FDI President-Elect Prof. Ihsane Ben Yahya. "By ensuring
individuals with cleft receive timely surgery and oral healthcare we can
safeguard their integration into society, give them self-confidence and the
potential to succeed in their scholarship".
"The partnership between Smile Train and FDI with the support of GSK Consumer
Healthcare, and the resources that have resulted from this shared commitment to
advancing oral health for vulnerable populations, will change lives for
generations to come," said Smile Train President and CEO Susannah Schaefer.
GSK Consumer Healthcare has pledged to continue its tremendous support of the
initiative between FDI and Smile Train, including the delivery of workshops
using the new education resources and the development of an education platform
of recorded sessions and family-focused instructional videos on cleft oral
health.
"At GSK Consumer Healthcare, we are on a mission to eradicate preventable oral
health problems and we believe in the importance of good oral health and
hygiene for all, especially for those living with clefts," said GSK Oral Health
Lead, Jayant Singh. "Comprehensive cleft care is a key focus of the work we
support with Smile Train and FDI. We are proud of the progress being achieved
by the release of these resources, which we hope will serve as a transformative
and indispensable tool for the entire cleft care team".
Read the resources and start making a difference to the oral health of our
future generations. You can also view the webinar
(https://www.fdioralhealthcampus.org/webinar/oral-health-in-comprehensive-cleft-
care-2/) to learn more about the content.
Media Contacts
Chaz Jagait, FDI Communications and Advocacy Director
Mob.: +41 79 796 76 13; Email: cjagait@fdiworlddental.org
Nijha Diggs, Senior Director, Public Relations, Smile Train
Email: ndiggs@smiletrain.org
SOURCE: FDI World Dental Federation
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