Smile Train, Dentsply Sirona and FDI deliver global protocols for digital cleft treatment

New York, 24 April, 2023 - Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused organisation, in partnership with Dentsply Sirona and FDI, have developed the first-ever global standard protocols for digitalised cleft treatment, a major milestone in the push to advance global cleft care. These protocols are expected to improve the accuracy and efficacy of the current treatments significantly by providing dental professionals with a comprehensive digital clinical approach across all stages of care.

To create these protocols, extensive research was conducted and consensus had to be reached amongst experts in this field. The workflows outlined in the protocols contain a wealth of information to guide dental practitioners in their work and enable best practice in all circumstances. The protocols encompass the fields of presurgical orthopaedics, mixed dentition, permanent dentition and oral rehabilitation. Each field features a remote monitoring and oral health component.

“The new protocols set the bar for the evolution of digital cleft care, leveraging technology that will ensure access to high-quality care for marginalised communities, and reduce the burden of care for the cleft community”, says Susannah Schaefer, President and CEO of Smile Train.

“These protocols will help bring health and opportunity to countless children worldwide”, says Prof. Ihsane Ben Yahya, FDI President. “It took an incredible amount of research and effort to put these workflows together. Thank you to everyone involved in this landmark achievement”.

To make the mass of available information and details user friendly to apply, an interactive tool was created to display all information and help the dental professional navigate through all the different stages of care.

In addition, Smile Train and FDI with Dentsply Sirona’s support have developed a comprehensive clinical education course that aims to provide cleft professionals worldwide with additional in-depth training on digital cleft care protocols, as well as support them as they integrate digital technologies into their treatment plans. The partnership builds on an ongoing global partnership between Smile Train and Dentsply Sirona, the world’s largest manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies, which funded more than 730 cleft surgeries in the first year of collaboration.

“Together with Smile Train and FDI, we are working to advance the future of cleft care and go BEYOND for children with clefts worldwide”, added Erania Brackett, Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Sustainability at Dentsply Sirona. “The launch of these new global protocols is an enormous step forward on that journey, integrating best-in-class digital, more sustainable technologies and workflows into cleft care”.

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About Smile Train

Smile Train empowers local medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally. We advance a sustainable solution and scalable global health model for cleft treatment, drastically improving children's lives, including their ability to eat, breathe, speak, and ultimately thrive. Visit Smile Train at smiletrain.org.uk.

About FDI World Dental Federation

FDI World Dental Federation serves as the principal representative body for over one million dentists worldwide. Its membership includes some 200 national dental associations and specialist groups in over 130 countries. FDI has the vision of leading the world to optimal oral health. Visit FDI at https://www.fdiworlddental.org.

About Dentsply Sirona

Dentsply Sirona is the world’s largest manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies, with over a century of innovation and service to the dental industry and patients worldwide. Dentsply Sirona develops, manufactures, and markets a comprehensive solution offering including dental and oral health products as well as other consumable medical devices under a strong portfolio of world class brands.

Dentsply Sirona’s products provide innovative, high-quality, and effective solutions to advance patient care and deliver better and safer dental care.

Dentsply Sirona’s headquarter is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company’s shares are listed in the United States on NASDAQ under the symbol XRAY.

Visit www.dentsplysirona.com for more information about Dentsply Sirona and its products.

Press Contact:
Nicole Bell
Vice President, Public Relations, Smile Train
+1 646.829.0996
nbell@smiletrain.org