Top tips for the management of patients with cleft lip and palate in the primary care dental practice.

Cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P), affecting about 1.35 per 1,000 live births globally and 650 annually in the UK, requires a multidisciplinary hub-and-spoke approach. This marginalised group suffer disproportionately elevated levels of dental decay. General dental practitioners (GDPs) are crucial in preventive care, early intervention, and ongoing oral health management. This article provides guidance for GDPs on early patient registration, specialist communication, and tailored preventive strategies targeting caries and oral hygiene. Key measures include dietary advice, specialised feeding tools, and reducing extrinsic sugars. The use of fluoride varnishes, sealants, and silver diamine fluoride for hypoplastic teeth is also emphasised. GDPs should monitor dental anomalies, manage restorative care within their ability, and refer complex cases to specialists, supporting integrated care to enhance patient outcomes.