Cleft is for life — and so are the dental challenges that come with it.
Yet people born with cleft are disproportionately unable to access vital dental treatment, with some even being denied care outright. This must change.
We are calling for guaranteed lifelong NHS dental care for the one in 700 people born with a cleft in the UK.
The problem:
- People with cleft are twice as likely to face barriers accessing dental care.
- 42% report inadequate care due to a lack of training and understanding.
- 38% can’t afford treatment for cleft-related dental issues.
- 7% have been denied treatment outright because of their cleft.
Case studies: Cleft and dental treatment
What we’re calling for:
- Access – guaranteed lifelong NHS dental care for people with cleft.
- Training – standardised cleft training for all dentists.
- Care – better integration between dentistry and cleft treatment pathways.
- Transparency – clear reporting on dental access for people with cleft.
Take action
Sign the petition
Sign our petition in just two minutes. Every signature builds pressure for government to acknowledge this problem.
Write to your MP or MSP
Ask your MP, MSP, MS or MLA to support the campaign. We’ve made it super easy with templates and guidance.
Sign our open letter
Are you a politician, clinician, or NHS staff member, or do you represent an organisation? Add your name to our open letter on dental access for people affected by cleft.
Sign our petition
Sign CLAPA's petition to end the cleft dental crisis
Download policy recommendations
Write to your MP or MSP
Your voice can make a real difference.
People affected by cleft are finding it harder than ever to access the dental care they need.
By writing to your local representatives, you can help them understand why this matters, what needs to change, and encourage them to sign our open letter.
STEP ONE: Find your MP, MSP, MS or MLA
You can find and contact your MP, MSP, MS, MLA, or other elected representatives, at WriteToThem.com
STEP TWO: Write and send your message
The more unique and personal you can make your message, the better.
Even a short personal message can help your representatives understand the impact poor dental access has on people born with a cleft — and add pressure for real change.
There are two easy ways to send a message:
- Answer the questions on this simple form and we’ll email you a custom message to send to your elected representative.
- Download this letter template (docx format) and add your personal details and experiences. You can then send it to your MP via email, or print it and post it to them.
Got a response?
Please do let us know when you hear back from your elected representatives by emailing our Policy and Campaigns Manager, Lachlan, on [email protected].
Together, we can make sure the voices of people affected by cleft are heard loud and clear.
Add Your Name to Our Open Letter on Dental Access
We’re calling on politicians, clinicians, NHS staff, and organisations across the UK to add their names to our open letter on dental access for people affected by cleft.
Right now, too many people born with a cleft are struggling to get the dental care they need. Our letter urges NHS leaders and government to take action to make sure specialist and general dental services are available, accessible, and fit for purpose.
If you’re a politician, clinician, NHS staff member or represent an organisation and would like to show your support, please add your details using the form below.
When you submit the form, your name, role, and organisation (if provided) will be added to the public list of signatories.
By signing, you’ll be helping to send a clear message that dental care for people affected by cleft must not be overlooked.
Together, we can make sure everyone born with a cleft has access to the dental care they deserve.
Cleft Dental Crisis: Sign the open letter
Stories
Mike’s Story
With an NHS dentist “impossible” to find, Mike missed out on years of dental treatment – and is now facing expensive bills to get his teeth sorted.
Danielle’s Story
“I was in absolute agony with an horrendous tooth infection and couldn’t get anyone to treat me.”
Fiona’s Story
“When they look in my mouth, I usually get the wide-eyed look of horror and sharp intake of breath. And then they say, ‘you’re a complicated case’.”
Claudia’s Story
After a lifetime of poor dental provision from the NHS, Claudia said she’s been forced to seek private treatment to save her teeth.
Sarah’s Story
“They said it’s really important with my cleft to have a regular dentist, but finding one near where I live has been so difficult.”
Anne’s Story
Anne had decades of poor NHS dental treatment, which ignored care of her cleft and gums, and resulted in painful gum disease.
Cleft Dental Crisis: Write to your MP/MSP
Answer the questions in this form and we will email you a custom message which you can forward on to your elected representative.