Smile Train, the world’s premier cleft-focused organization, and GSK Consumer Healthcare partnered to sponsor the Association of Philippine Orthodontists’ three-day Comprehensive Cleft Care Webinar series (APO). The webinar series had 518 attendees from 26 different nations. The extremely educational online sessions covered all stages of cleft therapy for a kid born with a cleft, with a special emphasis on cleft orthodontics. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, pediatric dentists, orthodontists, prosthodontists, speech pathologists, and pediatricians made up the excellent panel of speakers, all of whom have extensive cleft and craniofacial experience. Many of the presenters work at Smile Train’s partner, the Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation of the Philippines, or have received training there.
Also joining the panel was Dr. Alvaro Figueroa, a member of Smile Train’s Global Medical Advisory Board. With more than forty years of experience in treating patients with complex dental problems and craniofacial anomalies, Dr. Figueroa shared his extensive knowledge on orthognathic surgery and treatment protocols for cleft and craniofacial patients.
“Individuals born with a cleft require various types of dental and orthodontic treatments throughout their lifetime,” said Kimmy Coseteng-Flaviano, Smile Train Vice President, South East Asia. “This webinar series is reflective of our continued commitment to empowering local medical professionals and enabling them to provide safe, quality and timely cleft care for cleft-affected individuals who depend on us.”
“GSK Consumer Healthcare is proud to partner with Smile Train to increase awareness about clefts. Together we are committed to helping more people born with clefts to gain access to quality healthcare and to advance cleft care across the world,” said Emerson Aguinaldo, General Manager, Southeast Asia and Taiwan, GSK Consumer Healthcare. To date our partnership has delivered 13,500 life changing cleft surgeries, training for over 8,800 healthcare professionals, and supported 38,000 families.
In 2021, with the support of GSK Consumer Healthcare and Smile Train, the World Dental Federation (FDI) released Oral Health Guidelines for comprehensive cleft care.
“This webinar series enables orthodontists, and other cleft professionals, not only in the Philippines but in other countries to learn more about the specialized field of cleft orthodontics, and ensure they gain the necessary skills to support cleft-affected individuals,” shared Dr. Janet Pandan, President of the Association of Philippine Orthodontists. “We are proud to work with Smile Train and GSK Consumer Healthcare, and thankful for their continued support as we strengthen the knowledge and capacities not only of our member dentists but also share that knowledge with our fellow practitioners across the region.”
Visit https://www.gsksmiles.com/en-us/ for more information on the GSK Consumer Healthcare Smile Train relationship. Visit smiletrain.ph, follow Smile Train Philippines on Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines to discover more about Smile Train’s local activities in the Philippines. You can also contribute to the spread of smiles by donating to Smile Train at www.smiletrain.org.
No Comments