Study Examines Cleft Lip/Palate Patients and Factors Preventing Them From Adequate Treatment
Cleft lip/palate(CL/P) is one of the most common birth defects in the U.S., affecting 1 out of every 940 births. Children with CL/P are susceptible to a range of functional and aesthetic problems, which can impact quality of life.
Mia K. Markey, professor in the Cockrell School of Engineering’s Department of Biomedical Engineering
Orthodontic treatment is central to the treatment of CL/P because clefts typically disrupt tooth development, jaw growth, and dental occlusion, and treatment.
A new study examines the issues that could affect a patient’s adherence to orthodontic treatment. The study, published in the February issue of The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, was co-authored by Mia K. Markey, a professor in the Cockrell School of Engineering’s Department of Biomedical Engineering. Researchers discovered that good oral hygiene and orthodontic treatment, such as use of braces are critical for optimizing CL/P outcomes. However, patients with CL/P are more at risk for caries, or tooth decay. Researchers wanted to learn more about factors that could contribute to CL/P patients lack of receiving adequate orthodontic care.
The study analyzes the patient behavior and variables such as demographics, eating habits, and age of when a patient first received orthodontic treatment, missed appointments, and travel distance to orthodontists to understand how these factors impact a patient’s treatment. The purpose of the study is to use this data, build on it, and provide supportive solutions that may improve patient outcomes.
Markey was part of a team that included researchers from The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Dell Children’s Medical Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.