National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month
By: Kaylee Powell
The month of July is celebrated as National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month. This time is dedicated to raising awareness for the cause of cleft palate and craniofacial conditions and learning how to prevent more diagnoses. These conditions can cause changes in an individual's appearance and quality of life. This month aims to support those affected by the conditions and their families.
Often diagnosed at birth “Cleft lip and cleft palate are openings or splits in the upper lip, the roof of the mouth (palate), or both. Cleft lip and cleft palate result when facial structures that are developing in an unborn baby don't close completely,” according to Mayo Clinic.
Understanding Cleft and Craniofacial Conditions
Cleft and cranial conditions come with many different symptoms. The most well known include cleft lip and cleft palate. They occur during pregnancy if the upper lip isn't fully formed. This causes issues with feeding, speaking, hearing, and a higher risk of ear and infections and dental problems due to the proximity of the ears and lips. However, cleft lip and palate can be surgically corrected in most babies.
Craniofacial conditions can vary in form, one variation of a craniofacial is craniosynostosis. This occurs when the bones in a baby’s skull form too early and join together. Another is hemifacial microsomia which occurs in the lower half of the face usually around the ears, mouth, and jaw. Each form of this condition requires extensive medical care including surgery, speech therapy, dental care, and psychological support.
The Importance of Awareness and Prevention
National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month shines a spotlight on these conditions to create an inclusive and knowledgeable community. By being more aware of the conditions, earlier diagnoses and treatments can be made. These earlier diagnoses can result in better outcomes for individuals with cleft lips as they can receive earlier surgical interventions, this will result in an enhanced ability to speak, eat, and grow naturally as they age.
Another purpose of this month is to prevent more diagnoses of craniofacial conditions. While not all of them can be prevented, there are steps pregnant people can take to lower the risk of this condition. Maintaining a healthy diet, avoiding smoking and alcohol, taking prenatal vitamins, and more can lower the risk significantly.
Getting Involved Through Advocacy
Like many other awareness months, advocacy is a large proponent of what the month is about. Advocating for cleft lip and craniofacial conditions is vital to ensuring everyone with these conditions can seek the medical assistance they need. It also brings awareness to organizations such as the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) and Smile Train to be able to provide resources, fund research, and offer medical assistance to families in need. These organizations also promote policies that ensure access to comprehensive care and support for affected individuals. Advocacy is a large part of helping these organizations do what they do.
During this month community involvement is vital for fundraising, educational campaigns, and social media initiatives which all bring awareness to cleft lip and craniofacial awareness month. These steps can inspire others to learn so much more, but they aren’t the only ways to get involved.
Education: Learning more about cleft and cranial conditions gives you the ability to share this information with your community and help them become more aware, hopefully helping more people in the future.
Supporting Organizations: Many organizations rely on donations and fundraising to be able to do what they do. With donations, they can provide more services to more people.
National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month is a time to advocate for, support, and uplift individuals with cleft and craniofacial conditions. Raising awareness, advocating for policies, and supporting research and medical care are all ways we can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected.
Source:
“Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 15 Sept. 2022, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cleft-palate/symptoms-causes/syc-20370985.
“Patients & Families.” ACPA, 7 June 2024, acpacares.org/.
“Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Awareness and Prevention Month.” March of Dimes, www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/blog/cleft-lip-and-cleft-palate-awareness-and-prevention-month#:~:text=July%20is%20National%20Cleft%20and,t%20form%20completely%20during%20pregnancy. Accessed 19 June 2024.