OTS - FDI World Dental Federation and Smile Train launch project to improve oral health of children with clefts: the most common birth difference of the face and mouth
2019. September 06. 08:00
Geneva, 6 September, 2019 (APA/OTS) - Cleft lip and palate (clefts)
are the most common birth difference of the face and mouth. -
Clefts happen when certain body parts and structures do not fuse
together during fetal development and impact the development of the
mouth, gums, and palate. - Even after having cleft surgery,
children can be at an increased risk for caries, periodontal
disease, and other oral health issues as they grow and develop. -
Regular and focused dental care should be integrated into the care
continuum of children with clefts to help address oral hygiene
challenges and prevent oral disease.
Oral health non-profits FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) and
Smile Train are joining forces with support from GSK Consumer
Healthcare to launch a two-year project to improve oral health
guidance and on-going care for children with clefts.
Together, FDI and Smile Train will develop oral health
education resources for dentists and other members of the cleft
care team. They will also create materials to teach cleft patients
and their families about the importance of oral health, raise
awareness of the challenges of oral health care beyond cleft
surgery, and provide essential oral health instructions.
"Clefts affect 1 in 700 children worldwide," said FDI President
Dr Kathryn Kell. "In India alone, we estimate that 100 babies with
clefts are born every day, and many of these children do not
survive. In the United States, a baby with a cleft is born every 75
minutes. FDI is committed to supporting this vulnerable patient
group."
Rehabilitation and care of children with clefts often involves
the core specialties of nursing, plastic surgery, paediatric
dentistry, speech therapy, and orthodontics. Most of these services
are unavailable in low- and middle-income countries, which means
that many patients with clefts will never be able to have the
comprehensive treatment and care that they need. By empowering
local cleft teams with training and resources to provide quality
cleft care, Smile Train has been working around the clock to change
this situation.
"We aim to highlight the important role of dentists within the
cleft care team," said Smile Train President and CEO Susannah
Schaefer. "Regular dental care for children with clefts is
essential to help manage their increased risk for oral diseases.
It's important for oral health professionals to guide cleft
patients and their families in their oral hygiene and help them
maintain healthy mouths and the highest possible quality of life."
"At GSK, we understand the importance of a healthy mouth and
good oral health and hygiene for all, including those with
specialist conditions such as cleft," said GSK Global Category Lead
Oral Health Jayant Singh. "Comprehensive cleft care is a key area
of focus for our partnership with Smile Train and the general
dental practitioner role is vital in this. This is why we are
delighted that FDI have chosen to work with Smile Train on this
important two-year project, which could be life-transforming for
its beneficiaries, and that GSK is able to fund this work."
About FDI World Dental Federation
FDI is the main representative body for more than one million
dentists worldwide, with a vision of leading the world to optimal
oral health. Its membership comprises some 200 national member
associations and specialist groups in over 130 countries. FDI is
based in Geneva, Switzerland.
About Smile Train
Smile Train empowers local medical professionals with training,
funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and
comprehensive cleft care to children globally. We advance a
sustainable solution and scalable global health model for cleft
treatment, drastically improving children's lives, including their
ability to eat, breathe, speak, and ultimately thrive.
To learn more about Smile Train, FDI, and GSK's project launch,
visit: smiletrain.org/fdi.
About GSK
GSK is a science-led global healthcare company with a special
purpose: to help people do more, feel better, live longer. In 2018,
GSK Consumer Healthcare announced a five-year partnership with
Smile Train to support their surgical work, medical training,
outreach, and comprehensive cleft care programmes.
For further information, please visit www.gsk.com/smiletrain
Media Contact:
Charanjit Jagait, FDI Communications and Advocacy Director
Tel: +41 79 796 76 13
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