COMMUNIQUE ARISING FROM THE 13TH SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE OF THE NIGERIAN ASSOCIATION OF ORTHODONTISTS

COMMUNIQUE ARISING FROM THE 13^TH SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE NIGERIAN ASSOCIATION OF ORTHODONTISTS (NAO) HELD AT MAXBE CONTINENTAL HOTEL ENUGU, NIGERIA ON SEPTEMBER 23^RD-26^TH  2019.

1. At the 13^th Scientific Conference And Annual General Meeting Of The Nigerian Association Of Orthodontics (NAO), Cleft orthodontics was discussed extensively by the Association and the guest lecturer, Prof(Dr) Puneet Batra (India).

2. The Association had a session with some traditional rulers and Smile Train as a means of creating   public enlightenment about availability of care for children born with cleft lip and palate. A drama was staged to depict the psychosocial effect of Cleft Lip and Palate. The traditional rulers in their response promised to partner with Smile Train and the Association in reaching out to families with cases of Cleft Lip and palate in their respective communities.

3. It was also discussed that children who had their clefts surgically repaired soon develop malocclusion as the teeth begin to erupt. There is therefore a need to follow up with the orthodontists to correct malocclusion that may arise from clefts or surgical treatment of the clefts, therefore giving these children a lasting confident smile.

4. Therefore there is a need for integration of orthodontists as functional members of the cleft management team in the Nigerian Hospitals and Centres where cleft patients are being managed.

5. The association also advocated for public education and community awareness programmes targeting mothers especially in the rural and underserved communities.

6. Awareness should be aimed at educating the general public especially mothers about risk factors contributing to development of cleft lip and palate, as well as treatment options available to them.

7. These underserved communities also need to be aware of provision of free cleft-related treatment sponsored by some non-governmental organizations (NGO).

 8. Finally, it was concluded that the Association will continue to strive for higher standards in orthodontic treatment delivery in Nigeria.