Cleft & Craniofacial Program
Comprehensive cleft and craniofacial services
Our pediatric cleft and craniofacial specialists care for most of the children in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest with cleft and craniofacial conditions. . Led by our ear, nose and throat (ENT) and facial plastic surgeons, our team provides care across several clinic locations, with specialized and rare craniofacial conditions seen at our Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses.
Cleft and craniofacial conditions require care from many different specialists and we know that can feel overwhelming for families. We do everything we can to help patients see the necessary providers in one place, at one time. This also gives our team the chance to discuss recommendations and care plans together — with the patient and family present — so we can listen to your goals and feedback. As patients become teenagers, we encourage them to take an active role in planning their treatment and surgeries.
Got questions
Our cleft and craniofacial clinic coordinators are available to answer any of your questions, please call us at:
Our philosophy of care for cleft and craniofacial conditions
We want to ensure that children with cleft lip and palate or craniofacial conditions — including rare, complex, and syndromic diagnoses — have the same opportunities as any other child to build confidence, succeed in school, and enjoy life with their peers. We treat every type of cleft and craniofacial condition, caring for children with associated syndromes and disorders through comprehensive, specialized care.
Why choose Children’s Minnesota for cleft and craniofacial care
Making a unique plan for each child: Every child’s needs are unique. Our team creates a customized, step-by-step treatment plan for each patient, drawing on deep expertise in audiology, dentistry, surgery, speech and language, otolaryngology and orthodontics.
Expert care for the most complex conditions: As one of the region’s leading pediatric craniofacial programs, we diagnose and treat even the rarest and most complicated conditions. Each year, about 350 patients receive care in our cleft and craniofacial clinic.
Focusing on long-term wellbeing: Cleft and craniofacial conditions often involve care over many years. We help families understand what to expect during infancy, childhood and adolescence and we guide them through each step of the journey.
American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association approved: Our team is approved by ACPA, which sets the national standard for coordinated team care. Every child’s treatment plan brings together the expertise of a full multidisciplinary team.
Prenatal and pre‑adoption consultations: We begin caring for some patients before they’re born, offering prenatal and pre‑adoption consultations to answer questions and ease worries. Many patients continue care with us for years, often through their final surgeries as they enter adulthood.
A full team of pediatric craniofacial experts: The team of pediatric craniofacial specialists at Children’s Minnesota is led by ENT and facial plastics surgery and others on the team may include oral and maxillofacial surgeons, neurosurgeons, speech pathologists, audiologists, orthotists, dentists, orthodontists, physical therapists, genetic counselors, geneticists, psychologists and social workers.
Patient stories
