Referring Physicians and Dentists
Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic treats patients with craniofacial needs, as well as providing pediatric and general dentistry, orthodontics and audiology.
Pre-adoption and Pre-natal Consultation
Our specialists will work with birth families and adoptive families welcoming a child with unique craniofacial needs.
Donate Now
Your gift to the Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic helps your community. It can cost $742,524.84 or more to rehabilitate one patient’s cleft.
What is a cleft?
Cleft lip and palate occur when the lip or roof of the mouth do not form completely. A cleft can occur in the lip, palate, or both, and it can be unilateral (one side) or bilateral (both sides). The lip and palate form between the 5th and 12th week of pregnancy, and a cleft occurs when areas that merge to form the face do not come together completely.
What causes a cleft?
Most often there is no family history or known reason why a cleft happens. Smoking, diabetes, and certain medications can increase the chances of clefting, and clefts can be hereditary. Clefts are also associated with syndromes such as Velo-cardio-facial, Crouzon’s, Apert’s, Treacher Collins, and Pierre Robin sequence.
What are the treatments for a cleft?
Treatment for cleft lip and palate includes surgical closure of the cleft, as well as speech therapy, frequent ear checks, and orthodontics. Although clefts are usually a surprise to new parents, they can be treated, resulting in little more than a scar. It is important to find a Team whose expertise is with clefts and who can guide family through the unique needs of children with cleft lip and palate.
About Our Clinic
Thank you, Dennis Owens, news anchor, clinic volunteer and patient parent; and Anthony Durso and team at ABC27 in Harrisburg!
From Our Patients
Because of LCPC, my life has been rewarding and satisfying. I am very thankful for all it has made possible.
Le Hinton
LCPC gave me the gift of clear speech and the confidence to live my life to its fullest – to get married, raise a family, and hold a job.
Martha Warfel
We had questions. The team at the Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic had answers. They were sensitive to our worries and anxieties, and walked us through each step.
The Finkenbinders
10,000
Registered Patients
4,800
PATIENTS CARED FOR PER YEAR
18,000
SERVICES RENDERED ANNUALLY
