Charity backs calls for improved dental care for people with cleft

The Oral Health Foundation is supporting a campaign to improve access to dental care for people born with a cleft.

The charity is calling for action in response to a survey that suggests many people with a cleft face barriers to treatment.

The study by the Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA) found that people with a cleft are twice as likely to experience difficulties accessing dental care.

More than two in five respondents (42%) said they had received inadequate treatment because of a lack of professional training and understanding of cleft conditions, while 38% reported being unable to afford treatment for cleft-related dental issues.

The survey also found that 7% of respondents had been refused treatment because of their cleft.

According to the Oral Health Foundation, the survey findings suggest some patients are falling through gaps in the healthcare system once specialist cleft treatment pathways come to an end.

Dr Rachael England, head of policy and advocacy at the charity, said: 'These findings are deeply concerning and highlight inequalities that should not exist within modern healthcare.

'People born with a cleft often require ongoing dental support throughout their lives, yet too many are struggling to access the care they need.'

The Oral Health Foundation is supporting CLAPA's End the Cleft Dental Crisis campaign and has backed calls for a series of reforms, including guaranteed lifelong NHS dental care for people born with a cleft, greater cleft education and training across the dental profession, stronger links between dentistry and specialist cleft services, and improved transparency around access to care.

'The cleft community has spoken clearly about the challenges they face,' Dr England added.

'Now is the time for healthcare leaders, policymakers and the profession to listen and work together to ensure that everybody can access the care they need throughout their lives.’

The Oral Health Foundation is urging dental professionals and members of the public to add their name to CLAPA's open letter in support of the campaign.