Presurgical Infant Orthopedics, Digital Workflow and Intraoral Scanning for Cleft Lip and Palate Patients

Presurgical Infant Orthopedics,  Digital Workflow and Intraoral Scanning for Cleft Lip and Palate Patients: A Learning Experience for Orthodontic Graduate Students

Last July 29, 2024, orthodontic graduate students from the University of the Philippines College of Dentistry and the University of the East College of Dentistry attended a lecture on Presurgical Infant Orthopedics and Digital Workflow for Nasoalveolar Molding (NAM), and a demonstration on Intraoral Digital Scanning at the Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation (Craniofacial Center) Philippines. The event was organized by the Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation Philippines (NCFP) through the invitation of Dr. Cecile Cabrera, NCFP Head of Orthodontics Program.

Dr. Puneet Batra, a Principal Professor and HOD Orthodontics MRDC at Manav Rachna International University, India and member of the Smile Train India Advisory Council, served as the keynote speaker. He provided comprehensive insights into presurgical infant orthopedics, cleft lip and palate, NAM, dental digital workflows and intraoral digital scanning for orthodontic teams. 

Dr. Batra's passion for helping cleft lip and palate patients was evident as he shared his personal journey and encouraged the students to consider this field a fulfilling career path.

Following the lecture, NCFP Volunteer Dr. Crysoine Marquez, and NCFP Trustee and Volunteer Dr. Janet Pandan, demonstrated the intraoral digital scanning process for infants with Dr. Batra’s guidance. The hands-on experience provided valuable practical knowledge for the students.

The event concluded with the students inspired and equipped with new skills and knowledge. They expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn from Dr. Batra and the NCFP team.