Clinical and Statistical Evaluation of Cleft Palate Team Activities at Niigata University Dental Hospital

Abstract

For cleft lip and/ or palate patients, effective treatment by a team approach performed by the medical specialist is indispensable. In 1991, a Cleft Palate Team was est ablished at Niigata University Dental Hospital, and since then,778 patients have been registered for management in a total care system by the Team, until December 31,2000.
We have already reported a clinical and statistical evaluation of Cleft Palate Team activities regarding primary cases, in 1998.
The purpose of this study was to conduct a clinical and statistical evaluation of Cleft Palate Team activities by analyzing 360,10-to-18-year-old patients, including not only primary cases but also secondary cases.
The results were as follows:
1. The percentage of primary cases was 64.2, and that of those who lived in Niigata prefecture was 88.6. The rate of the primary cases was more than that of secondary cases for patients under 16 years old.
2. There were few o pportunities to consult operative dentistry and endodontics, fixed prosthodontic dentistry, and removable prosthdontic dentistry.
3. Mean initial visits of secondary cases were at 6Y6M to oral-maxillofacial surgery, at 4Y1M to speech clinic, at 3Y5M to preventive dentistry, at 4Y2M to pediatric dentistry, and at 5Y6M to orthodontics.
4. The management situation of patient was favorable, and it was suggested that effective treatment has been performed smoothly by the Cleft Palate Team approach.