Adult Cleft Care: Where Are We and Where Next?

Date/Time: Tuesday, August 25th at 7:00 – 8:00 pm ET

Speakers:
Paul Bigg, DMD
Ethan Richlak, BS

Description: Management of individuals with cleft and craniofacial conditions extends well beyond childhood, yet many healthcare professionals receive limited education on the unique challenges of transitioning patients to adult care. As increasing numbers of individuals with cleft and craniofacial conditions require lifelong multidisciplinary services, providers must be prepared to address evolving medical, dental, surgical, psychosocial, and care coordination needs throughout adulthood.

Led by presenters with lived experience, who are also clinicians, this interactive webinar will examine the current landscape of adult cleft and craniofacial care. Participants will review emerging research on adult outcomes, psychosocial needs, barriers to accessing care, and ongoing gaps in the literature. Faculty will discuss the new ACPA Standard 4 on Transition and Adult Care, explore practical considerations for transitioning patients from pediatric to adult services, and review available resources for navigating healthcare systems and insurance challenges. The session will conclude with an interactive discussion focused on identifying opportunities to improve adult care, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and advance future research and initiatives across the lifespan.

Learning Objectives:
At the completion of this activity, learners will be able to:

  • Describe the unique healthcare, psychosocial, and care coordination needs of adults with cleft and craniofacial conditions across the lifespan.
  • Explain the principles of the ACPA Standard 4 on Transition and Adult Care and its application to the transition from pediatric to adult multidisciplinary care.
  • Identify strategies and resources to improve access to adult cleft and craniofacial care, including navigating healthcare systems, insurance challenges, and interdisciplinary care coordination.

Learning Outcomes:
At the completion of this activity, learners will be able to:

  • Self-assess a gain in knowledge related to the transition and ongoing multidisciplinary care of adults with cleft and craniofacial conditions across the lifespan.
  • Self-assess that they will improve their performance in their clinical practice based on knowledge gained.
  • Self-assess that they anticipate improved patient outcomes based on changes in their performance.

Teaching Methods: Lecture, Polling, Discussion, Q&A

Live attendees must claim credit by September 29, 2026. 

 

Intended Learners
All healthcare professionals caring for people with cleft and craniofacial conditions, to include but not limited to:
Physicians
Dental Professionals
Speech Language Pathologists
Audiologists
Nurses (RNs, APNs, LPNs)
Dieticians
Psychologists
Social Workers
Physician Assistants

Accredited Continuing Education
ACPA is accredited by ACCME and ANCC, approved by ASHA, and recognized by ADA CERP, to provide accredited continuing education to physicians, nurses, SLPs, audiologists, and dentists.

Continuing Medical Education

The American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association (ACPA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association designates this live activity for 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

Nursing Continuing Professional Development

The American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association (ACPA) is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

This live educational activity is offered for 1.00 Nursing Continuing Professional Development (NCPD) contact hour.

Continuing Dental Education

The American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association (ACPA) is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.

ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.

The American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association designates this live activity for 1.00 continuing education credit.

Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at CCEPR.ADA.org.

 

Continuing Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Education

The American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association (ACPA) is approved by the Continuing Education Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to provide continuing education activities in speech-language pathology and audiology.

ASHA CE Provider Approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures.

 

DISCLOSURES

All financial relationships have been mitigated.

Commercial Support: None

No Financial or Non-financial Relationships Declared.

Speakers:
Paul Bigg, DMD
Ethan Richlak, BS

Planning Committee Members:
HyeRan Choo, DDS, DMD, MS
Joli C. Chou, DMD, MD (Board Liaison)
Paul Deitrick, MD, DMD, FACS
Kelly Evans, MD
Catharine B. Garland, MD (Chair)
Elizabeth Huette, RN
Aditi Kanth, MD
Heather Koehn, MD, MMHC
Katelyn Kotlarek, PhD, CCC-SLP
Sue Ann S. Lee, PhD, CCC-SLP
Margaret M. Lico, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC
Leanne Magee, PhD
Judy Marciel, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC, PCNS, CWCN, APN (Nurse Planner)
Catherine Mazzola, MD
Dianna Metzler, BS (National Office Team Liaison)
Caitlyn Reinauer, BS (National Office Team)
Jill Schechter, DDS
Sameer Shakir, MD, FACS
Amanda M. Smith, RN, BSN, CPN
Sherard Tatum, MD, FACS, FAAP
Cortney Vant Slot, MS, CCC-SLP

Financial and/or Non-financial Relationships Declared with Eligible Organizations.

Planning Committee Member:
Linping Zhao, PhD – Stock Option Holder for Immersive Touch

Financial Relationship with Ineligible Company Declared; Relationship Not Topically Related to Presentation or if Related, Recused From Planning. No Non-financial Relationships Declared. All Financial Relationships Have Been Mitigated.

Planning Committee Member:
Sean P. Edwards, MD, DDS, FACS, FRCDC – Consultant for Stryker CMF

 

This webinar is supported by EduCleft through the Dawson Family Fund for Cleft and Craniofacial Education, Research and Innovation.