A craniofacial team is a team of medical specialists that treat children and adults who have facial disfigurement. It is vital that each patients is treated as an individual and that their desires are followed to the best of the teams abilities.

The medical treatment of facial disfigurements requires a vast variety of specialist skills.  These range from surgery to psychology. A craniofacial team works closely with each speciality offering their skills as appropriate. A typical team: 

• Craniofacial Surgeon. Either an Oral/Maxillofacial surgeon or Plastic surgeon who has completed a subspecialty fellowship in Craniofacial surgery. He/She has specific training and experience in corrective/reconstructive surgery of the craniofacial complex (Skull, face, jaws, etc.)
• Neurosurgeon. This is a vital member of the team as many craniofacial conditions have a neurological component and it would be impossible to perform many procedures without their expert care.
• Otolaryngologist (ENT). Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist. Many malformations involve defects in the airway passage, inflammation of the middle ear and/or hearing and speech defects. Such complaints are treated by the ENT-Specialist. He/she is also responsible for the hearing tests and examination of the speech defect.
• Paediatrician. Paediatricians perform a vital role as many patients with craniofacial conditions have other medical challenges. This is particularly true with our charity patients as they often arrive with parasites and other diseases associated with poverty.
• Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and Ocular Plastic Surgeons. Many individuals with facial disfigurements have ocular involvement. Others run the risk of complications affecting their sight. These specialists are responsible for eye tests, examination and treatment of any complications.
• Paediatric dentist
• Audiologist..
• Orthodontist. As member of the craniofacial team the orthodontist takes care of the non-surgical treatment of the malposition of the jaws. He/she is responsible for the pre and post operative treatment of jaw surgery and monitors growth by means of X-rays and plaster casts.
• Prosthodontist. Plans and fabricates an obturator to close defects that surgery is not capable of closing. Many patients with congenital deformities are missing teeth or have poorly shaped teeth and require a denture prosthesis. Others may require ocular or other prostheses.
• Speech pathologist. Evaluate and monitor speech development to help determine if speech therapy, prosthetic devices, or surgery are needed to improve speech skills.
• Psychologist. He/she monitors the child's development and teaches the child how to deal with the social aspects of a facial deformity. The psychologist also aids the parents when needed.
• Anaesthetists Specialised Anaesthetists are required as a result of potential complications with patients airways either as a result of their disfigurement or during surgery.
• Dressings Nurses Specialist dressings nurses are required to ensure that facial scarring is kept to a minimum and to monitor skin grafts.
• Radiologists. The Craniofacial Team is dependent on not only MRI and CT scans but also on the expert advice offered by these specialists. These scans are also used to construct the medical models.

In addition the team are supported by registrars and juniors in each field and other team members such as qualified Medical Illustration Experts and Medical Modelling Services.