Oral Health Foundation backs calls for action on dental care access for people born with a cleft

The Oral Health Foundation has voiced concern over new findings showing that many people born with a cleft face significant barriers to accessing dental care.
New research from the Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA) found that people with a cleft are twice as likely to experience difficulties accessing dental treatment. More than two-in-five (42%) report receiving inadequate care because of a lack of professional training and understanding, while nearly two-in-five (38%) say they cannot afford treatment for cleft-related dental issues.
Alarmingly, around one-in-fourteen (7%) have been refused treatment altogether because of their cleft.
The charity believes the findings highlight unacceptable inequalities in access to oral healthcare and demonstrate the need for urgent improvements in training, access and coordination of care.
Dr Rachael England, Head of Policy and Advocacy at the Oral Health Foundation, says: “These findings are deeply concerning and highlight inequalities t… Source by Oral Health Foundation Read More