Families with children who have craniofacial disorders encounter a variety of day-to-day challenges. One of the biggest is juggling multiple appointments with all their providers. To make them easier for you to manage, the North Carolina Cleft and Craniofacial Center offers clinic days every second, fourth, and fifth Thursday of the month. Clinic days were designed for established patients three years old or older to provide a convenient, one-day appointment where a child sees each of the specialists on their care team. Typically, children participating in clinic days do so annually.
Although the schedule during a clinic day can vary for each child, we’ve established a structure that brings routine and order to every visit:
- When you and your child arrive at the center, you’ll be greeted by the center’s coordinator who will guide you through the day’s schedule.
- Typically, your child will first have 3D MD photos taken of their face and skull, then you will discuss your child’s needs and their medical history with a nurse practitioner or resident.
- Next, your child may be seen by our in-house speech therapist, followed by our team's audiologist.
- If recommended, your child will then visit our Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor.
- After a lunch break (several dining options are available near our office), the afternoon session begins at approximately 12:45 P.M.
- In the afternoon session, you and your child will meet our multidisciplinary team, led by plastic surgeons, Dr. David or Dr. Runyan. Each doctor will discuss your child's treatment, progress, care plans or future surgery.
- If necessary, your child may see our neuropsychologist to address any learning and developmental issues.
- After the team of doctors has evaluated your child, your visit is complete.
- After your clinic day has ended, the doctors will meet to review your child's progress, discuss any issues or concerns and recommend next steps.
- A care plan summarizing the visit is prepared for your child and mailed to your home.
