Team Members

TEAM APPROACH

Your child needs a treatment plan that is individually tailored to his or her needs. Experts at the University of Oklahoma Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Team at the John W. Keys Speech and Hearing Center believe that a team approach, which combines the efforts of many specialists, is the best way to treat your child's condition. The team approach means more specialized care for your child born with a cleft. A core cleft lip and palate team has members from oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, speech pathology, and audiology. Other team members involved are specialists from psychology, otolaryngology, pediatrics, neurosurgery, genetics, maxillofacial prosthodontics, and general dentistry. The reason so many professionals experienced with clefts are necessary is that the treatment of cleft lip and/or palate is complex, and in most cases, cannot adequately be managed by any one specialist. Not all of these specialists will be involved with your child at every visit or evaluation, but they are there if they are needed.

Our team has a unique team of specialists available to evaluate, diagnose and treat individuals with cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial anomalies. Our program, called the Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Team, brings together a dedicated group of health care providers who are experts in their fields. The team works together with your own pediatrician and other providers in your community to ensure the best possible long-term care for your child. In such a team, all the specialists work together to meet the needs of a growing child with a cleft. The team approach provides a broad perspective of the child, which includes the family, social, emotional, psychological, and educational needs.

This team is based out of the John W. Keys Speech and Hearing Center, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders College of Allied Health. The Keys Cleft Team has been serving the needs of families since 1959!
 

WHY HAVE A TEAM?

If the above reasons are not enough, you need to know that team care for cleft lip and palate/craniofacial patients is the standard of care set down by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. The goal of the team is to guide and direct parents in a manner that is consistent with the American Cleft Lip and Palate guidelines.

Many patients in Oklahoma have had care done outside of a team. This approach is acceptable if the parents and their professionals are aware of what other services are available from the other professions. If not, detrimental delay in certain treatments and surgeries may occur. We will gladly work with your current group of specialists and we do not ask that you are treated by the members of the team; however, we have strong relationships with doctors throughout Oklahoma and Arkansas with whom we can make referrals. Remember the old adage, "two heads are better than one," well, in this case, ten heads get together to give you and your child the best possible recommendations.

Frequently, health care management companies may delay recommended treatments. However, with a report from an interdisciplinary group, you have better documentation and the support of the team to help get you through the red tape.

The University of Oklahoma Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Team at the John W. Keys Speech and Hearing Center will help you prepare for and deal with many of the situations you will face. Our dedicated team members are available to provide:

The cleft palate-craniofacial team members at are always available to you. You may speak with us during your visits or call us from home. Do not be afraid to ask for any type of help you need. We want to help you as much as we can.

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