Cleft lip and palate care spotlighted at PDA conference with high-level orthodontic workshop in Lahore
LAHORE: Comprehensive and multidisciplinary management of cleft lip and palate came into sharp focus at a dedicated orthodontic workshop held during the 14th International and 34th National Pakistan Dental Association (PDA) Dental Conference, which concluded on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at the Expo Center Lahore.
The workshop, titled “Comprehensive Management of Cleft Lip and Palate: Diagnosis, CBCT Analysis, and Maxillary Expansion Protocols,” was conducted in collaboration with the Pakistan Association of Orthodontists (PAO) and brought together local and international expertise to address one of dentistry’s most complex and socially impactful clinical challenges.
International expertise, evidence-based protocols
The academic proceedings were led by Prof. Fady Hussein Fahim, Professor of Orthodontics at Cairo University, who delivered an in-depth, evidence-based overview of modern cleft management strategies, with particular emphasis on CBCT-guided diagnosis, growth assessment, and maxillary expansion protocols.
His sessions highlighted how advanced imaging, precise timing of intervention, and interdisciplinary coordination are redefining outcomes in cleft care, especially in regions with high patient burden and limited resources.
Strong leadership, institutional collaboration
The workshop was chaired by Prof. Col. Dr. Iffat Batool, under whose stewardship the session maintained a strong clinical and academic balance, ensuring relevance for orthodontists, general dentists, postgraduate trainees, and faculty members alike.
The initiative was supported by key partner institutions and organizations, including Rashid Latif Dental College, Smile Train, Arif Memorial Trust Hospital, and Lahore Children’s Life Project for Welfare Society, reflecting a broad-based commitment to improving cleft care through education, outreach, and structured clinical pathways.
Cleft care beyond technique
Beyond technical instruction, the workshop emphasized the long-term, patient-centered nature of cleft management, underscoring the need for coordinated care involving orthodontists, surgeons, pediatric dentists, speech therapists, and public health stakeholders.
Speakers stressed that while technology such as CBCT and digital planning tools has significantly enhanced precision, sustainable impact depends equally on training, institutional capacity, and ethical clinical decision-making.
By integrating advanced orthodontic science with humanitarian relevance, the session reinforced the broader theme of the conference: aligning clinical excellence, innovation, and social responsibility within Pakistan’s evolving oral healthcare ecosystem.
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