The University of Florida Craniofacial Center’s interdisciplinary team approach consists of many specialists working together to provide the best possible integrated care. Our team consists of health professionals from pediatrics, plastic/craniofacial surgery, clinical psychology, speech-language pathology, otolaryngology, audiology, nursing, pediatric dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, social work, and genetics.
Other specialists available for consultation to the team include professionals from genetics, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, and education. Whatever your child’s need, we are able to provide the service or collaborate with other professionals for the best possible outcome.
ACPA Approved Team
The UF Craniofacial Center is an ACPA Approved Team and has met the Standards of Team Care for Cleft and Craniofacial Teams set by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA). The ACPA Commission on the Approval of Teams has determined that UF Craniofacial Center is capable of providing cleft and craniofacial care in a coordinated and consistent manner, that care provided by UF Craniofacial Center follows the proper sequence and takes place within the framework of the patient’s overall developmental, medical and psychological needs. ACPA Approved Teams are comprised of experienced and qualified professionals who work in an interdisciplinary and coordinated system to provide strong and reliable communication between team members, families, and referring providers. All approved teams in the U.S. and Canada are listed on the ACPA Family Services website. The ACPA encourages patients and families to first consider ACPA Approved Teams for cleft and craniofacial health care needs.
Our Mission
The Craniofacial Center provides a broad spectrum of interdisciplinary services to patients and families pertaining to cleft lip and palate, facial differences, as well as those of the head. These disorders may be due to birth defects, developmental or acquired through disease or accident. Services available from the Center include corrective surgery, pediatric medical care, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, prosthodontics, otology and audiology, speech-language pathology, psychology, social work, and patient/parent education.
There are three major components of the UF Craniofacial Center’s mission:
- To serve patients with craniofacial differences, and their families
- To conduct research intended to improve diagnosis and treatment for persons who have cleft lip/palate and other craniofacial differences, worldwide, a goal which can be addressed in a university such as UF with a research-oriented teaching hospital
- To educate students and professionals in the disciplines of craniofacial science and related health care
The Florida Cleft and Craniofacial Network (FCCN)
The Florida Cleft and Craniofacial Network, or FCCN, is a leading cooperative group composed of members from the University of Florida, Children’s Medical Services(CMS) of the Florida Department of Health, regional and local family networks, and Florida healthcare providers.
History of the Craniofacial Center
In 1981, the Florida Board of Regents approved the establishment of the UF Craniofacial Center to coordinate and focus many of the efforts underway at UF for serving children and adults with craniofacial malformations. The university was already a leader in this arena, having for many years maintained a clinical program for affected individuals throughout Florida and having assembled scholars who were recognized worldwide for their contributions to the body of research relating to these clinical entities. Today, our team successfully treats and manages care for children from around the world. And as scholars, our physicians, nurses, and team members influence others with regular publications, presentations, and consultations in the field. Our goal is to be the premier center for identification, treatment, and care of children and adults with craniofacial anomalies.