An estimated 6,000 to 8,000 children are born in the United States each year with cleft lip, cleft palate or both, including approximately 200 in the Greater Atlanta area. The Georgia School of Orthodontics (GSO) is expanding access to specialized cleft and craniofacial orthodontic care through its Cleft Lip and Palate Complimentary Care Program, which will provide free orthodontic treatment to up to 100 eligible patients ages 6 to 21. The program is open to Georgia residents with a diagnosis of cleft lip and/or cleft palate. No physician referral is required to participate.

Orthodontic treatment is an essential part of comprehensive, long-term care for children and adolescents with cleft lip, cleft palate, and other craniofacial differences. Care often occurs in multiple stages as a child grows and may be coordinated with surgical, dental, speech, and other clinical needs. By removing the financial burden of orthodontic treatment, GSO aims to help families access necessary care at the appropriate stages of development and navigate a complex treatment process with greater confidence.

“Our hope is that this program creates a lasting impact by making specialized care more accessible to the families who need it,” says Dr. Nandakumar Janakiraman, dean and chief academic officer at the Georgia School of Orthodontics. “Delivering that care requires an interdisciplinary approach—which really just means teamwork. As orthodontists, we are in constant communication with the surgical team. Together, we sequence our treatments to match the child’s natural growth and surgical milestones, ensuring they receive exactly the right care at the right time.”

Children with cleft lip, cleft palate, and related craniofacial conditions may require specialized orthodontic care during pivotal periods of facial growth and tooth development. However, the cost of treatment and limited availability of specialized services can create significant barriers for families. GSO established the program to increase access to care for patients in the community while providing orthodontic residents the opportunity to treat complex cases alongside GSO faculty.

Orthodontic care is a critical part of comprehensive treatment for patients with cleft lip and palate, which can affect tooth development, dental eruption, jaw growth, and the alignment of the upper and lower jaws. Depending on the patient’s needs, treatment may guide dental and facial development, improve arch alignment, correct bite problems, and prepare patients for procedures such as alveolar bone grafting.

Because cleft care often involves multiple stages of treatment, orthodontic care must be carefully coordinated with surgical, dental, speech, and developmental needs. Orthodontists work with the broader cleft care team to determine the appropriate timing and sequence of treatment and adjust plans as patients grow and complete other procedures. This interdisciplinary approach helps support functional outcomes, oral health, and facial development.

“GSO was founded on a commitment to both resident education and service to underserved communities,” says Christopher Lazzara, president, co-founder, and long-serving board trustee of the Georgia School of Orthodontics. “This program brings those two pillars together. We are proud to relieve the financial burden of long-term orthodontic care so families can focus entirely on their child’s health and development.”

GSO has provided $290,000 in complimentary care to date through various community initiatives, a commitment now being expanded by the Cleft Lip & Palate Program. By restoring smiles and transforming health outcomes, GSO continues to identify new meaningful ways to enhance the lives of patients and families in need. For more information about the Cleft Lip & Palate Complimentary Care Program or to determine eligibility and request a complimentary consultation, visit BracesToday.com/cleft or call 770-758-7004.

About the Georgia School of Orthodontics

Atlanta-based Georgia School of Orthodontics offers an advanced specialty education program in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. The 36-month residency program is structured to provide collaborative and evidence-based learning for residents, while providing quality orthodontic care to patients in the school’s two patient clinics in metro Atlanta. GSO’s mission is to educate outstanding dentists to be proficient in the clinical specialty of orthodontics, while providing Georgians with the highest level of patient care available. GSO faculty and staff are dedicated to excellence in education, research and patient-centered care. For more information about GSO’s residency program, visit GSOrthodontics.org or call 770.351.7737 for more information.

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