1. Changing the World… One smile at a time!
Operation Smile
Changing the World… One smile at a time!

2. Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
Cleft lip and palate are birth defects that affect the upper lip and the roof of the mouth.
Cleft Lip: May be a small notch in the lip or a complete slit that goes to the base of the nose.
Cleft Palate: May affect only the soft palate or go the entire length of the mouth.

3. Warning: The next photographs are graphic.

4. Cleft Lip

5. Cleft Palate

6. Cleft Lip and Palate

7. After Surgical Repair

8. More Successful Repairs

9. The Facts
1 in 10 children with cleft palate will die before they turn one.
Cleft lip and palate happens in EVERY country of the world and among EVERY race/ethnicity.
1 in 2,500 children will be born with a cleft.
Cleft lip and palate are showing a significant increase in occurrence.

10. Problems
Children with cleft lip or palate experience the following problems:
Feeding Problems
Ear infections (painful)
Speech problems
Poor growth
Choking (milk flows through nasal passages during feeding)

11. Causes Lack of folic acid in Mom’s diet during pregnancy.
Smoking during pregnancy
Marijuana use prior to or during pregnancy
Genetic

12. Treatment Surgery Prosthetic Device Speech Therapy Orthodontics
Best time is when the affected child is between 6 weeks and 9 months old.
Many children require multiple surgeries.
Prosthetic Device
Used to temporarily close a cleft so a child can feed while awaiting surgery.
Speech Therapy
Orthodontics

13. Operation Smile
Non-profit organization that provides free surgery to children with cleft lip or palate.
The doctors involved provide their services for free!
Also provides:
Feeding Support (Special bottles)
Pain relief
Post surgical care (orthodontics, speech therapy, etc.)

14. Operation Smile Goals Raise enough money for three surgeries
$240 each
Total: $720
Purchase 10 bottles for children waiting for surgery.
$25 each
Total $250

15. How can you help?
Purchase a sucker! All profits go to operation smile:)
50 cents each
Purchase a Tooth Task die cut
Feel free to write a personal message
$1.00 each

16. Help us SMILE!!

17. Earn Extra Credit AND support Operation Smile
Visit the Operation Smile Website.
Write a one page, typed, double-spaced report about what your learn on the site.
20 points
Research Cleft Lip or Palate on your own.
Write a one-page, typed, double-spaced report about the disorder and it’s prognosis and treatment. (cite source)
Purchase a “Tooth Task” die cut.
10 points each (Max 30 points)