Cleft & Craniofacial Team University of Minnesota

Home
United States
Minneapolis, MN
Cleft & Craniofacial Team University of Minnesota

Comprehensive team care for children and adults with cleft lip and palate & craniofacial conditions.

10/30/2025

Always a treat seeing our cleft and craniofacial superheroes! 🦸‍♀️🦸‍♂️🧡

From costumes to courage, they bring the spirit of strength and imagination wherever they go.

Our team joined in the fun yesterday — dressing up and parading through clinic alongside them! Helping kids form positive associations with their cleft and craniofacial journey is truly magical. ✨🩵
Clinic can be fun!

A special thanks to our amazing staff and doctors who made it all happen! 🙌

From the entire UMN Cleft and Craniofacial Team in Moos Tower- have a very fun and not so spooky Halloween! 🎃

10/23/2025

👀 Parents — don’t miss this!

If your child has a cleft or craniofacial difference, their success at school depends on more than academics — it takes a team that understands their whole development. 🩵

➡️ Swipe through to learn why your cleft and craniofacial team should be collaborating with your child’s school — reviewing IEPs, sharing insights, and working together to support your child’s learning, confidence, and emotional well-being.

At the University of Minnesota, we believe true progress happens through partnership — with parents and schools. 💬🏫

Our psychologists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and nurse collaborate closely with families and educators to ensure every child’s speech, hearing, and developmental needs are supported — everywhere they learn and grow. ✨

We’re proud to set the bar high and redefine what teamwork looks like — because this is the standard of care. 💜

If your child needs more support — or you’d like a second opinion — we’re here to help. 💬

📞 Contact the University of Minnesota Cleft & Craniofacial Clinic to learn more.

612-625-5945
Cleft@umn.edu
z.umn.edu/cleft

🩵🩵🩵

10/22/2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Collaboration that makes a difference 🩵

We’re proud to celebrate Dr. Eric Riklin, our team psychologist, whose compassionate approach and seamless coordination with school teams ensure that every child’s needs are understood — in the clinic and in the classroom. 🏫✨

This kind of partnership changes lives and sets the standard for what true cleft and craniofacial care should be.

Dr. Riklin, along with our amazing speech-language pathologists, do an incredible job reviewing school IEPs and making sure our cleft and craniofacial heroes are getting the support they need!

This helps every child find their voice, confidence, and path to success. 🌟

Help us celebrate Dr. Riklin!!
He’s the BEST of the BEST! 🩵

10/09/2025

✨🦸‍♀️ Yesterday, we were thrilled to care for a special princess superhero at the UMN Cleft and Craniofacial Team.

This hero is 5 years old- smiles big, shines with beauty and strength despite having cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD)—a rare condition that makes her…

ONE in a MILLION! 💖 For real!!!

👑 CCD may mean she won’t grow as tall, but she stands proud! No collarbone? No problem! She bends and adapts like no one else! Her smile— unique and contagious, reminds us all to embrace our individuality.

💪 Challenges may come, but she will never face them alone. Together, we’ll conquer every step of this journey!

✨ Cleidocranial Dysplasia (CCD) is caused by a mutation in the RUNX2 gene and presents with open fontanelles (soft spots), absent clavicles (collarbones), and various dental differences. It may be rare, but our commitment to care and support is unwavering. Most people with CCD will have dozens of oral facial procedures across multiple decades- the treatment requires expertise.

📅 Ready to learn more or schedule a consultation?
Reach out via message, call, or email!
📞 612-625-5945
📧 cleft@umn.edu (mailto:cleft@umn.edu)
🔗 Z.umn.edu/cleft

🌟 For more about CCD, visit ccdsmiles.org. Together, we can make a difference!

10/03/2025

🌟🎉 Happy October Birthdays! 🎂✨ Some special people to celebrate this month!!

Today, we’re extra excited to celebrate someone special on World Smile Day! 😄

Can you guess who it is? She’s got a heart of gold, is incredibly talented, and absolutely loves helping kids of all ages achieve healthy smiles! 💖 Plus, she’s a total rockstar when it comes to NAM and PLANA therapy! 🎸💪

Drop your guesses below! 👇 Let’s fill today with smiles and joy!

09/30/2025

👂💬 Healthy ears = strong voices. Let’s protect both! 🌟 DON’T MISS THESE SUBTLE SIGNS OF HEARING LOSS! 🌟

👂 Parents of children with cleft palate and craniofacial differences, it’s important to stay informed! Early detection and prompt intervention are key to achieving the best bearing outcomes to support your child’s speech-language and overall development.

Ear drainage is an obvious sign, but what are the subtle symptoms to watch for?

- Inattentiveness or seeming disinterest
- Asking for repetition or increased volume on devices
- Speech delays or unclear speech
- Ear pulling or frequent ear discomfort
- Increased fussiness or crying, especially when lying down
- Trouble sleeping or balance issues

Eustachian tube dysfunction is the most common source of ear and hearing problems in these children. Many of these little ones may need ear tubes (PE tubes) early in life to protect their hearing and support their speech development.

⚠️ IMPORTANT:
Leaving ear tubes in too long or skipping follow-ups can lead to:
- Chronic eardrum perforations
- Scarring or damage to the ear
- Recurrent infections
- Long-term hearing loss

🛑 Remember, ear tubes aren’t a “set it and forget it” solution! Regular check-ups are crucial.

Children with craniofacial differences, such as those with Treacher Collins syndrome and Goldenhar syndrome, may have additional hearing needs that require careful monitoring and intervention.

Even when they seem fine, routine hearing checks are essential since hearing loss can be silent but greatly impact language and learning.

At the University of Minnesota’s Cleft & Craniofacial Clinic, we’re dedicated to ensuring every child receives the best ear and hearing care for a thriving future. ❤️

09/24/2025

🌟 Spotlight on Support & Advocacy! 🌟

We’re excited to highlight the incredible work being done to support individuals and families navigating cleft lip, cleft palate, and facial differences! Wow! To all the advocates raising awareness and acceptance — we see you and appreciate your efforts! 🩵 Let’s gooooo!!!

This week, we’re shining a light on the Our Forever Smiles Podcast and Community, founded by the inspiring Laura Arroyo. 🎙️

Want to help?! Let’s show our support! Head over to your favorite podcast platform, search for Our Forever Smiles, and hit that subscribe button! 🙌 Your support goes a long way in spreading awareness and making an impact.

There is a new episode each week! Tune in! Every episode is full of great insights and information! 💯🙌🩵

If you are hosting events, programs or doing other support and advocacy work- please send us a DM so we can share! Together, we are better! 💯🩵

09/21/2025

In the power of connection, we find our strength. ❤️❤️❤️ We are not alone—you are not alone. We are here for you; better together.

These photos from Dr. Daniel’s trip last month with Operation Smile, taken by , tell a powerful story. It’s healing to connect with others, and you can see it in their eyes and on their faces. And then there are the kiddos—blowing bubbles and spreading joy! Melt our hearts! The UMN Cleft and Craniofacial Program strives to provide exceptional care and foster healing connections for every family. Because every smile counts. 🩵🩵🩵

09/18/2025

We have an incredible group of orthodontists on our team at UMN! They are all so talented and dedicated.

But today, we want to celebrate one in particular! 🎉 Congratulations are overdue!

👏 Help us give a huge round of applause to Dr. Thorsten Gruenheid for his well-deserved promotion to full professor at the University of Minnesota! We want to especially highlight his role as principal investigator on a grant for an exciting study that aims to optimize the digital workflow for computer-aided nasoalveolar molding 🙌

As a clinical orthodontist, researcher, and assistant dean of advanced education in our School of Dentistry, he’s not just shaping smiles; he’s shaping the future of dentistry for cleft, craniofacial, and beyond. 🙌

Good work, Doc! 🙌🥳

We can’t thank him enough for his passion and dedication.

Join us in celebrating Dr. Gruenheid and all that he does for our community! 🌟

09/16/2025

🎉 Exciting news! The UMN Cleft and Craniofacial Fall Fun Night is just around the corner! 🔥 Join us at the Fun Lab in Blaine for an unforgettable night filled with pizza, laser tag, games, and awesome t-shirts! 🍕👕 Please register!

Families of teens and tweens—check your inbox for an email invitation. If you haven’t received it, don’t worry! Just hit the link in our bio to register. Let’s make some fun memories together! 🥳✨

Address

515 Delaware Street SE
Minneapolis, MN
55455

Telephone

+16126255945

Website

https://dentalclinics.umn.edu/specialty/cleft-craniofacial

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Cleft & Craniofacial Team University of Minnesota posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Cleft & Craniofacial Team University of Minnesota:

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Minneapolis?