Saint Peter’s operates one of only a few centers in the country that comprehensively treat craniofacial abnormalities, such as cleft lip and cleft palate.
Our program is recognized by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) as a regional center providing all of the services necessary for the treatment of children. Families come to our center from throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Babies, children and adolescents who are born with these conditions are cared for by a team of specialists from medical disciplines including:
- Audiologist
- Geneticist
- Maxillofacial prosthetist (makes artificial jaws)
- Oral/maxillofacial (upper jaw) surgeon
- Ophthalmologists
- Orthodontists
- Otolaryngologists (ear, nose and throat)
- Pediatric dentist
- Pediatric neurosurgeon
- Pediatricians
- Plastic and craniofacial surgeons
- Registered nurse
- Speech-language pathologist
- Social worker.
Team members have face-to-face meetings to discuss and prepare each child’s personalized treatment plan. Every recommendation is also recorded in the child’s permanent record and maintained electronically. Treatment plan recommendations are shared with parents and the child’s pediatrician and, when appropriate, shared with any other integral healthcare providers involved with the child’s care. We feel that this combined approach results in a regimen of therapy that is superior.
In addition to surgical correction, Saint Peter’s specializes in rehabilitation and group support to ensure that the physical and emotional needs of all patients are met.
Many of our specialists also serve as Operation Smile volunteers, traveling throughout the world to perform reconstructive surgery for underprivileged people. Founded in 1982, Operation Smile is a worldwide medical charity dedicated to improving the health and lives of children and adults.