Management of cleft lip and palate in primary care.

Cleft lip and palate malformations are the most common congenital craniofacial abnormalities. Patients with these deformities require coordinated care involving multiple disciplines from birth throughout adolescence. The primary care provider plays a vital role in facilitating the provision of care for these patients, who often have numerous health care needs, including feeding difficulties, speech disorders, chronic ear infections, and dental and orthodontic problems. The emotional issues of patients with these deformities and their families are significant and include disrupted parent and child bonding, body image disturbances, and impaired socialization. The role of the primary care provider is to be a stable source of support for these patients and to assist in coordinating care for the many physical and emotional problems they may have.