Our Cleft Lip and Palate Specialists

Cleft lip and palate specialists here for your whole family

At Children’s Hospital Colorado, treatment for cleft lip and cleft palate begins as soon as your child is diagnosed, whether that’s before or after birth. Our experts work with your family to create an individualized treatment plan that often continues into adulthood.

Care for cleft lip and palate begins with our team of experts that are here for your family the whole way. We assist with everything from infant feeding to preparing for surgery and orthodontic treatment to advocating for your child. We also provide social support for kids with facial differences and their families. This dedication to comprehensive and compassionate cleft care has earned us the endorsement from the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) every year since 2015.

A nationally recognized team of experts from more than 10 pediatric specialties

The Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic is affiliated with the University Of Colorado School Of Medicine. Our team is the largest in the Rocky Mountain region and includes over 10 pediatric specialties, including care coordination with your child’s pediatrician.

Depending on your child’s needs, your family will receive care from specialists including:

• Audiologists: to evaluate and monitor hearing.
• Surgeons: including pediatric plastic surgeons, craniofacial plastic surgeons and otolaryngologists (ear nose and throat surgeons) with training in cleft lip and palate conditions and airway management from birth to adulthood.
• Pediatric dentists: to evaluate and monitor tooth development and provide treatment to maintain or restore your child’s oral health.
• Occupational therapists (OTs): to evaluate your child’s ability to suck, swallow, and eat as well as evaluate motor development. OTs can also teach caregivers skills that help babies and young children have successful and pleasurable feeding experiences.
• Craniofacial Orthodontists: work to straighten teeth, monitor jaw growth and development, and assist in treatment to properly align children’s upper and lower jaws. Our team includes craniofacial trained orthodontists and experts that provide comprehensive orthodontic and oral surgery.
• Geneticists or genetic counselors: to screen patients for birth defects and provide counseling on other possible medical issues and recurrence risks.
• Nurses: to coordinate overall care for cleft and craniofacial patients, including treatment plans, pre- and post-surgical care, teaching and helping families navigate the healthcare system to meet all their child’s needs.
• Psychologists: to support the mental and emotional needs of patients and their families.
• Speech-language pathologists: to evaluate speech development and treat cleft-specific speech issues. 
• Social workers: to provide support services, counseling and assistance with community resources.
• Outreach coordinators: to plan programs (like Cleft Camp) for patients and families to create a sense of community. Our outreach team also works with community groups that provide support for patients, families and local healthcare professionals.

Pediatric experts working together on your child's cleft lip and palate care team

Depending on your child’s needs, they may get comprehensive care from experts in more departments, including:

• Craniofacial Plastic Surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Advanced Practice Nursing
• Nursing
• Otolaryngology
• Genetics
• Ophthalmology
• Orthodontics
• Dentistry
• Anesthesiology
• Social Work
• Physical and Occupational Therapy
• Psychology
• Pediatrics
• Speech Pathology
• Audiology
• Neuropsychology
• Nutrition
• Radiology
• Lactation
• Outreach