Below is a list of the different specialists and health care
providers on the craniofacial team. Depending on your child's
craniofacial condition, he or she may not need to see all of
these medical professionals.
- Anesthesiologist: A physician who looks
after your child in the operating room and specializes in
ensuring that your child is asleep and does not experience
pain or discomfort during surgery by administering specific
drugs
- Audiologist: Specializes in evaluating
your child’s hearing by administering particular tests.
Hearing is important as it contributes to the development of
speech and language
- Clinical nurse specialist: An advanced
practice nurse who provides the in-depth and detailed
preoperative assessments required for children who are about
to undergo complex craniofacial surgeries
- Craniofacial surgeon: A specially
trained plastic surgeon who helps coordinate the care of your
child. The craniofacial surgeon and neurosurgeon work
together when operating on children with craniofacial
conditions
- Craniofacial clinical nurse coordinator:
Has expertise in cleft and craniofacial conditions. The
coordinator is an important liaison between you, your child,
and other members of the team, and is involved in
coordinating all aspects of your child's care and surgeries
at Duke
- Dentist: Evaluates your child’s teeth,
which is important for children with facial differences as it
affects the growth of the face and the development of
speech
- Geneticist: A physician who specializes
in helping to determine if your child’s condition is part of
a known craniofacial syndrome. In the Genetics Clinic you
meet with a genetic counselor who will discuss the chance
that you could have another child in the future with the same
condition
- Neuro-radiologist: A physician who has
expertise in interpreting diagnostic imaging (CT scans, MRIs,
x-rays, etc.) and performs interventional procedures in the
craniofacial and vascular malformation population
- Neurosurgeon: A surgeon who specializes
in the diagnosis, treatment, and surgical management of
abnormalities of the skull and brain. Neurosurgeons and
plastic surgeons work together when operating on children
with craniofacial conditions
- Nursing staff: Skilled at caring for
children with craniofacial conditions, and provide the acute
care, support, health teaching and discharge planning to
children and their families immediately following any
surgical procedures
- Ophthalmologist: Evaluates your child’s
vision, as well as the impact that craniofacial surgery has
on your child’s vision
- Orthodontist: A dental specialist with
expertise in the surgical management of maxillofacial
disorders and dental rehabilitation
- Orthotist: A health care professional
who specializes in the creation and maintenance of orthotic
devices such as splints and molding helmets
- Otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat
specialist): Provides treatment if your child has
any problems with their ears, nose, or throat
- Psychiatrist: A specially trained
physician who can help assess whether your child is suffering
from any emotional difficulties such as low self esteem,
anxiety, depression, peer difficulties related to his/her
craniofacial condition. Therapeutic interventions included
individual and family therapy as well as the prescription of
medications, if indicated
- Physiotherapist: A health care
professional who provides preventative, diagnostic and
therapeutic services aimed at restoring function and
preventing disability
- Social worker: Specially trained to
understand the different challenges children with
craniofacial conditions and their families may encounter. The
social worker can provide you and your child with emotional
support and guidance and you can talk to them about issues
such as: adjusting to a having a baby with a complex medical
condition and facial difference, how to support your child
during surgeries and hospitalizations, how to prepare your
child for school, and how to help him/her have positive
relationships with their peers. Social workers are an
important contact on the Craniofacial Program, and can
provide you with information about resources in the hospital
and in your community
- Speech language pathologist: Evaluates
the quality and development of your child’s speech and
language skills, and can identify problem areas and provide
strategies to work on speech and language difficulties
Duke Guide to Care of Children with Cleft Conditions
- Comprehensive Craniofacial Program Team Member
Roles