A Team Approach to the Care of Patients with Cleft Lip and Palate

Patients born with cleft and craniofacial differences require multidisciplinary care throughout their lifetimes. This course will provide a general overview of the various dental, medical, surgical, psychological and developmental needs of these patients with an emphasis on pediatric dentistry, orthodontics and maxillofacial surgery. 

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

• Understand the basic embryology and pathophysiology of clefting
• Understand the dental and medical needs of the cleft child from birth to adulthood
• Understand why comprehensive care by a cleft team approved by the American Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Association is important to the health of the patient with a facial difference. 
• Be able to identify and properly refer a patient with an undiagnosed or untreated facial difference. 

Renie Daniel, DMD, MD, FACS, is the director of the University of Minnesota’s Cleft & Craniofacial Clinic. Daniel has always enjoyed caring for children with craniofacial anomalies, and it is with this passion that she continues to serve these families. Dr. Daniel completed dental school at Temple University in Philadelphia, where she graduated as valedictorian. She then went on to complete medical school at New York Medical College, as well as surgical training in oral and maxillofacial surgery at S.t Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson, NJ. Dr. Daniel furthered her surgical training in Charleston, WV, where she spent an internship year in general surgery and a year of fellowship training in cleft and craniofacial surgery. Prior to accepting the position as medical director, she proudly served on the cleft and craniofacial team at the University of North Carolina at Chapel for seven and a half years. Dr. Daniel is board certified and a member of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. In addition to caring for children in the United States, she is a surgical educator and volunteer for Operation Smile, a renowned charity organization that provides free cleft surgeries to children around the world.