Consultant orthodontic services for cleft patients in England and Wales

A postal questionnaire survey of consultant orthodontists in England and Wales was undertaken as part of a national audit of the care of children born with cleft lip/and or cleft palate. A 100% response rate was achieved. The majority of respondents stated that they provide orthodontic treatment for cleft patients but only 78% of these attend multi-disciplinary cleft clinics. Consultant orthodontists provide treatment not only in the form of appliances for patients born with clefts but are also involved in the counselling of parents and coordination of regional data bases. Only 24% of hospital orthodontists are involved in the provision of presurgical appliances for cleft babies on a regular basis. The lack of rationalisation of orthodontic services and a low uptake of standardised record keeping protocols for cleft patients by consultant orthodontists gives cause for concern.