Dental health of cleft patients attending the 18-month-old clinic at a specialised centre

Abstract

Orofacial clefts are the most common craniofacial anomaly and children with a cleft are at increased risk of dental caries and anomalies, the most common being hypodontia. This evaluation aimed to establish whether implemented changes after the first cycle led to improved oral health prevention in children attending the 18-month-year-old cleft dental appointment. A total of 44 records were analysed retrospectively over a 9-month period for the second cycle. The initial findings were presented locally and nationally to cleft teams, and an article discussing the dental health of 18-month-old cleft patients was published in the British Dental Journal. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic limiting dental care access, registration with a local dentist increased by 8% in the second cycle. There was a 24% increase in the number of patients having twice-daily toothbrushing performed and an 11% increase in the number of cleft patients who have stopped bottle-feeding by 18 months. The implemented changes following the initial cycle looking at dental health had a positive impact on the percentage of patients who brush twice daily, stopped bottle-feeding and registered with a local dentist.