One of their key roles is to develop a comprehensive clinical impression incorporating health, developmental and psychosocial domains. The pediatric team's goal is to provide health promotion, illness prevention, and screening for existing health problems common to children with craniofacial malformation through physical and developemental screening, education of the patient, family, and health care staff and identification of resources within the family and community. The evaluation and surgical treatment of children with cleft lip, cleft palate and velopharyngeal incompetence accounts for the majority of our patients. These children frequently require secondary operations in order to refine facial aesthetics and correct malocclusion. Major craniofacial conditions such as craniosynostosis, Crouzon's disease and hypertelorism are managed with neurosurgery faculty.
Cranial molding is conducted in conjunction with orthotics.
Key roles include coordinating appointments and referrals for patients, providing information of care before and after surgery about feeding strategies. The nurse helps families access resources such as Children's Medical Services for financial assistance as needed. The UF Craniofacial Center's psychologist provides consultation to parents and children regarding normal child development. For children with facial disorders, consultation is also available to help the child and family cope with the disorder and the required medical treatment. Additional diagnostic assessment is available for the evaluation of emotional, cognitive and behavioral problems or concerns.