The Smart Smile and Speech Project

Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate is a birth defect affecting the mouth and upper lip. In Thailand, approximately 1-2 babies out of every 1,000 born are affected by this condition. While it can be easily detected at birth, many cases go untreated or are diagnosed late, leading to various complications such as difficulty eating, ear infections, speech impairments, and social challenges.

In honor of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s 50^th Birthday, “The Smart Smile and Speech Project" was initiated in 2005 to address this issue. This collaborative effort between the Thai Red Cross Society, the Ministry of Public Health, the National Health Security Office, the Association of General Surgeons of Thailand, the Thai Association of Orthodontists, and the Thai Speech Language & Hearing Association aims to provide comprehensive care for individuals with Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate. The project offers surgeries, dental care, and speech therapy, supporting patients throughout their lives. A network will be established to provide comprehensive care, from screening and diagnosis to various treatments. By identifying risk factors, we aim to improve the quality of life and reduce the incidence of Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate. This represents a systematic approach to addressing this birth defect in Thailand.

Since its inception, the project has provided over 200,000 treatments valued at 120,000,000 baht, including surgeries, dental implants, braces, and speech therapy, to patients across Thailand. The Relief and Community Health Bureau of Thai Red Cross Society has been instrumental in delivering these treatments. Additionally, mobile dental units have been deployed to treat over 5,000 patients in remote areas, valued at 600,000 baht. The results have been remarkable, with patients experiencing improved quality of life, increased social integration, and better educational and employment opportunities.