SMILE-project: optimal care for children with a cleft palate: increased integration in society results in quality of life improvements

A cleft palate with or without a cleft lip (CP±L) is the most common congenital craniofacial malformation. A CP±L may impact several functional domains including hearing, feeding, dentition, satisfaction with appearance due to the aesthetical impact of a CP±L, and speech. Considering the wide variety of consequences, a CP±L may have a major influence on a child’s functioning and psychosocial well-being. The focus of our research group is twofold: (1) diagnosing and treating cleft-related speech disorders and (2) increasing the integration of children with a CP±L into society. Our research is embedded and conducted within a strong global mindset. The purpose of the SMILE-project is to increase and enhance global societal outreach by optimizing the dissemination of state-of-the-art scientific findings in the area of the diagnosistics and the treatment of cleft-related speech disorders. Research findings will be communicated to speech-language pathologists and other stakeholders who are involved in the multidisciplinary health care of this vulnerable pediatric population.  A team of experts is responsable for the creation of a website with easy accessible webinars /(online) workshops in co-creation with the patient support group.