In recognition of Cleft Awareness Month, Dentsply Sirona, the FDI World Dental Federation, and Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused organization, have released two new videos on digital cleft care workflows videos as well as three new language versions of their massive open online course Digital Dentistry in Cleft Care, according to a July 30, 2025, Dentsply Sirona press release. In creating these additional materials, the partners seeks to significantly increase the reach and depth of educational resources around digital cleft care.
“Cleft lip and palate affect thousands of children globally each year, impacting not only their ability to eat, speak, and breathe, but also their confidence and quality of life. Access to timely, high-quality cleft care—especially dental care—is essential to helping these children thrive,” says Marion Par-Weixlberger, VP of corporate communications, PR and brand at Dentsply Sirona. “Once you have witnessed the life-changing effect of high-quality cleft care delivered by a specially trained dental professional, you want everyone in need to have access to this. Together with Smile Train and FDI, we are working hard to make that vision happen and to create countless healthy, happy smiles.”
The two new educational videos provide clear, practical guidance on selected digital cleft care workflows and equipment. The first focuses on presurgical care, and the second examines mixed dentition. Both videos, which are around 10 minutes each in length, are now available on the FDI website. They were filmed with real patients at the Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation Philippines Inc., which is a Smile Train Cleft Leadership Center.
In addition to the two new videos, the partners have released three new versions of their massive open online course Digital Dentistry in Cleft Care. These new versions, which are intended to support dental professionals in providing high-quality digital cleft care to patients in underserved communities around the globe, are in Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Utilizing a mix of presentations, quizzes, short videos, and interactive discussion boards, the massive open online course teaches dental professionals how to utilize the cleft care protocols developed by the three partners in a way that is both effective and engaging.
And finally, the partners have released an interactive tool to accompany these new resources. The tool, which is hosted on the FDI website, is aimed at dental professionals who are just starting to use the protocols. It is designed to help them navigate through the different stages of care and access all of the related information.
“Thanks to cutting-edge technology and the cleft care protocols developed with our partners we have the tools and the guidance now to help ensure that patients can receive the best possible care,” says Dr. Greg Chadwick, president of the FDI World Dental Federation. “Now we need to make sure that dental professionals from all regions and backgrounds have access to the trainings, so they can deliver life-changing cleft care to their communities.”
“At Smile Train, we know that when we empower local providers with the right tools, training, and technology, we transform not just individual lives but entire communities,” says Susannah Schaefer, president and CEO of Smile Train. “Expanding access to digital cleft care education means more providers can deliver timely, comprehensive care to children who need it most. We are proud to collaborate with Dentsply Sirona and FDI to ensure that every child born with a cleft can live a full healthy and confident life.”
