Cleft deformities are the second most common congenital deformity worldwide. It can range from a minor deformity involving only the lip to a major deformity involving palate and mid face. The deformity negatively affects the person by causing psychological trauma and functional disabilities. Fortunately, cleft deformities can be surgically corrected at any age.

Many interventions, surgical and non-surgical, maybe required from birth till adulthood in treating a cleft patient. Counseling the parents soon after birth of the baby, explaining the nature of deformity, the need for timely intervention and the hope of complete recovery, are necessary to allay their fears. Timely intervention is one of the most important factors in getting optimal results.

Sometimes, cleft deformities can co-exist with anomalies involving other body parts. Furthermore, problems encountered in feeding a child with cleft palate may lead to gross undernourishment. Hence, a coordinated multidisciplinary management of cleft deformities is absolutely essential.

Smile Train is a New York-based NGO with a sustainable approach to a single, solvable problem cleft lip and palate (Visit: https://www.smiletrain.org/). Meenakshi Hospital’s partnership with The Smile Train since 2015 has enabled us to provide a comprehensive care free of cost for patients with cleft deformity. We provide nutritional support and travel allowance for the needy. We have successfully created 500 smiles so far and are still counting.