Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic treats patients with craniofacial needs, as well as providing orthodontic and dental services.
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Your gift to the Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic helps your community. It costs $400,000 to rehabilitate one patient’s cleft.
Our specialists will work with birth families and adoptive families welcoming a child with unique craniofacial needs.
Adults with clefts may be concerned about particular issues such as hearing, speech, dentistry, psychological development, physical appearance, or other concerns.
Learn More About Our Services for AdultsCleft lip and palate occur when the lip or roof of the mouth do not form completely. It is the most common birth defect in the USA, affecting 1 in 700 births.
Learn More About Your First VisitCleft lip and palate occur when the lip or roof of the mouth do not form completely. A cleft can occur in the lip, palate, or both, and it can be unilateral (one side) or bilateral (both sides). The lip and palate form between the 5th and 12th week of pregnancy, and a cleft occurs when areas that merge to form the face do not come together completely.
Most often there is no family history or known reason why a cleft happens. Smoking, diabetes, and certain medications can increase the chances of clefting, and clefts can be hereditary. Clefts are also associated with syndromes such as Velo-cardio-facial, Crouzon’s, Apert’s, Treacher Collins, and Pierre Robin sequence.
Treatment for cleft lip and palate includes surgical closure of the cleft, as well as speech therapy, frequent ear checks, and orthodontics. Although clefts are usually a surprise to new parents, they can be treated, resulting in little more than a scar. It is important to find a Team whose expertise is with clefts and who can guide family through the unique needs of children with cleft lip and palate.
Thank you, Dennis Owens, news anchor, clinic volunteer and patient parent; and Anthony Durso and team at ABC27 in Harrisburg!
Because of LCPC, my life has been rewarding and satisfying. I am very thankful for all it has made possible.
LCPC gave me the gift of clear speech and the confidence to live my life to its fullest – to get married, raise a family, and hold a job.
We had questions. The team at the Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic had answers. They were sensitive to our worries and anxieties, and walked us through each step.