Changing face of cleft care: specialized centers in developing countries

The organization and management of specialized cleft lip and palate centers in developing countries are challenging because of the lack of financial resources devoted to the national health care system. The treatment of cleft lip and palate is of low priority for health care and budgets; however, gradual progress is possible. As an example of how care might be improved in the developing world, we suggest guidelines to strengthen the local cleft lip and palate centers in Brazil based on the ideal geographic distribution of cleft centers around the country, to achieve the following objectives: first, avoid patient's migration; second, facilitate patient's adherence; third, focus on a global and continuous multidisciplinary treatment; and fourth, avoid indiscriminate opening of nonprepared cleft lip and palate centers in our country. This ideal scenario would put the cleft lip and palate health attention on the right path in Brazil.