Tuesday, July 24, 2012

News You Can Use

July is National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month!

July supports a spotlight for the awareness and prevention of cleft and craniofacial defects and conditions. A cleft lip is a birth defect in which the parts of the face that normally seal together before birth remain separated. This cleft can also occur in the palate, called a cleft palate.  A cleft lip and palate can occur individually or in unison in the same person. They normally occur early on in pregnancy and can be genetic as well as due to maternal environmental exposure.

A cleft lip or palate can influence the appearance of the face and create difficulties in speech and eating.  Due to the connection between the ear and throat, a cleft lip or palate can cause ear infections.  Both can be corrected through surgery, which is normally done between three and six months of age.

During July, National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention month is observed by an alliance of organizations that offer education and support services related to cleft and craniofacial conditions.  More information on this observance can be found at the link below:



Source: http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/c/cleft-lip-palate.aspx

Source: http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Articles/ADA/2012/article/ADA-07-Cleft-craniofacial-conditions-focus-of-July-observation.cvsp


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
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