Quality of life of a child with oral and maxillofacial pathology: certain problems in socialization

Abstract

This article discusses important factors of quality of life of children with oral and maxillofacial pathologies: the issues of socialization and social and psychological adaptation. Cleft lip and cleft palate are common congenital malformations, having impact not only on somatic status but also on socialization, which is determined, in particular, by appearance and speech quality. As a child gets older, the risk of formation of secondary disorders of emotional and personal, behavioral and communicative spheres increases, which negatively affects psychoemotional background of the family. This work is aimed at substantiation of necessity of integrated assistance to families with children with appearance defects as the main subject of their socialization. The research was based on the methods of evaluation of social situation of a child with cleft lip and cleft palate and its influence on successful speech rehabilitation as an important constituent of quality of life. Analysis of the obtained data about opportunities of social adaptation of children with oral and maxillofacial pathologies gives confidence in necessity to maximum involvement of the family of such child into rehabilitation. It is important that all experts of interdisciplinary team understand the most important role of family in rehabilitation success, assist to parents and the child to resolve complicated situations related both with operative intrusion and with subsequent remedial actions. Early terms of integrated assistance allow to eliminate esthetic and functional violations of maxillofacial region, providing opportunities for full socialization of the child. Peculiar attention should be paid to the issue of tolerance of society regarding the persons with maxillofacial abnormalities.