The team approach in cleft palate habilitation

The team approach in cleft palate rehabilitation is a relatively new development in treating cleft palate children. The first team was originated in the 1930's and since then many, many teams have been organized throughout the world. This study presents a summary of the new treatment procedures which have been put into use through the team effort in cleft palate habilitation. General information on facial and palatal clefts is also included in this study to provide some background for the reader unfamiliar with the cleft lip and palate problem. Comparison of the team approach with the treatment approaches used prior to team conception is made. The undeniable result is that team procedures have remarkably improved the quality of treatment for cleft palate patients. A unified team effort provides the cleft palate patient with all of the advantages of each professional working alone as well as the benefit of interdisciplinary cooperation.