Our Craniofacial Specialists

Our craniofacial team is nationally recognized by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association in for our outstanding outcomes and team approach to patient care.

At Children’s Hospital Colorado, we know that your child’s health and wellness extend past one surgery. That’s why we created a team of pediatric experts from over 10 specialties to care for children with craniofacial differences.

The craniofacial team and their roles

Our craniofacial team is made up of many different members with different expertise. We treat children from infancy through the teenage years and continue to work with them as they grow and develop. Our team members include:

Audiologists evaluate and monitor hearing.

Surgeons perform surgical treatment for a range of craniofacial conditions and often specialize in a particular type of surgery such as plastic surgery, craniofacial surgery, neurosurgery and ear, nose and throat surgery.

Pediatric dentists evaluate and monitor tooth development and provide treatment to maintain or restore your child’s oral health.

Orthodontists straighten teeth, monitor jaw growth and development, and assist in treatment to properly align children’s upper and lower jaws.

Geneticists or genetic counselors screen patients for birth defects and provide counseling on other possible medical issues and recurrence risks.

Nurses coordinate overall care for cleft and craniofacial patients, including treatment plans, pre- and post-surgical care, and help access the healthcare system.

Psychologists support the mental and emotional needs of patients and their families.

Speech-language pathologists evaluate speech development and treat condition-specific speech issues.

Social workers provide support services, counseling and assistance with community resources.

Outreach coordinators plan activities and work with local community groups to provide additional support and resources for patients, families and local healthcare professionals.

Pediatric experts working together with your child's craniofacial care team

Depending on your child’s needs, they get comprehensive care from experts in departments including:

• Advanced Practice Nursing
• Anesthesiology
• Audiology
• Craniofacial orthodontics
• Dentistry (including experts from the Department of Orthodontics at School of Dental Medicine at the University of Colorado)
• Genetics
• Neuropsychology
• Neurosurgery
• Otolaryngology
• Ophthalmology
• Physical and Occupational Therapy
• Psychology
• Plastic Surgery
• Radiology
• Social Work
• Speech Pathology