First Global Protocols for Digital Cleft Treatment Announced

Dentsply Sirona, the FDI World Dental Federation, and Smile Train have announced the first-ever global standard protocols for digitalized cleft treatment. 

According to Dentsply Sirona, the partnership is a major milestone in advancing global cleft care, with the protocols expected to significantly improve the accuracy and efficacy of current treatments by providing dental professionals with a comprehensive digital clinical approach across all stages of care.

Protocols with Interactive Tools and Components 

Extensive research and expert consensus was needed to create the protocols. They encompass the fields of presurgical orthopedics, mixed dentition, permanent dentition, and oral rehabilitation. Each field features a remote monitoring and oral health component. To make the information user friendly, an interactive tool was created to help dental professionals navigate all the different stages of care.

“These protocols will help bring health and opportunity to countless children worldwide,” says Prof Ihsane Ben Yahya, FDI President. “It took an incredible amount of research and effort to put these workflows together. Thank you to everyone involved in this landmark achievement.”

Education Aimed at Cleft Professionals 

Smile Train and the FDI with Dentsply Sirona’s support have developed a clinical education course aimed at providing cleft professionals worldwide with additional in-depth training on digital cleft care protocols, as well as supporting them as they integrate digital technologies into their treatment plans.

“The new protocols set the bar for the evolution of digital cleft care, leveraging technology that will ensure access to high-quality care for marginalized communities and reduce the burden of care for the cleft community,” says Susannah Schaefer, President and CEO of Smile Train.

Dentsply Sirona and Smile Train have an ongoing global partnership, with Smile Train funding over 730 cleft surgeries in the first year of collaboration. Erania Brackett, Chief Marketing Officer, and Head of Sustainability at Dentsply Sirona said, “The launch of these new global protocols is an enormous step forward on that journey, integrating high-quality digital, more sustainable technologies, and workflows into cleft care.”

The companies hope that the development of these protocols will bring hope and opportunity to countless children worldwide. The clinical education course will further support cleft professionals in integrating digital technologies into their treatment plans, expanding access to high-quality care for marginalized communities, and reducing the burden of care for the cleft community.