Mette Kuijpers

Biography

Dr Mette Kuijpers completed her dental degree at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands and her four-year orthodontic specialty training at the University of Geneva, Switzerland. She subsequently moved to Nijmegen, the Netherlands to do her PhD at the Radboud University and became a member of the cleft palate and craniofacial team of the Amalia’s Childrens Hospital of the Radboud University Medical Center.

Dr Kuijpers currently is deputy director of the post graduate program in orthodontics at the Radboud University Medical Center and still is part of the cleft palate craniofacial team. She divides her time between undergraduate education, postgraduate education, research and clinical work She has published over 35 research papers. Her clinical and research interest include cleft and craniofacial orthodontics, muscular diseases, juvenile idiopathic arthritis as well as orthodontics for individuals with special needs

Title

The role of the orthodontist in the treatment of cleft lip and palate patients

Abstract

The health-care burden for children with clefts and their families is significant. Today, care often begins with prenatal counseling once an ultrasound detects a cleft lip and palate in the fetus. Treatment continues from birth to adulthood and includes feeding guidance, clinical nursing, multiple surgeries to close the defect, genetic screening, speech and hearing assessments, management of ear infections, orthodontic and facial orthopedic care, speech therapy, psychological counseling, and dental or prosthodontic treatment.

Since the 1950s, it has been widely agreed that children with clefts require comprehensive, coordinated care from an interdisciplinary team. This team operates under a unified treatment plan, with each member understanding the broader aspects of care. The primary role of the cleft lip and palate (CLP) team is to provide integrated, high-quality care, ensuring continuity and long-term follow-up.

The orthodontist plays a crucial role on the CLP team, not only managing orthodontic and facial orthopedic treatment but also overseeing the child’s maxillofacial growth. I will present an overview of CLP treatment, focusing on the specific challenges orthodontists face in caring for these patients.