Clefting of the lip and palate is usually visible during the baby’s first examination. Occasionally, the palate is cleft but remains covered by the smooth, unbroken lining of the mouth.

A child with cleft lip or palate is often referred to a multidisciplinary team of experts for treatment. The team may include:

• an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist)
• plastic surgeon
• oral surgeon
• speech pathologist
• pediatric dentist
• orthodontist
• audiologist
• geneticist
• pediatrician
• nutritionist
• psychologist/social worker