Oral Health Status and Treatment Needs Among 3-12 year-old Children

Congenital anomalies constitute a major problem to human health. Cleft palate with or without cleft lip is one of the more common congenital anomalies in man, which is caused by incomplete fusion of the maxillary processes from the 4th week to the 12th week of foetal life. It is usually associated with problems which is not only cosmetic and dental abnormalities, but also speech, hearing, and facial growth difficulties. The main reason for treating patients with cleft lip, palate, and alveolus are function and esthetics. Cleft lip and palate become a major public health problem affecting one in every 500-1000 birth worldwide. These patients are likely to have significant dental problems that require attention of various specialists in dentistry because these children present anatomical changes both inherent to the malformation as well as because of treatment interventions.