program
of cleft lip
and palate
Do you know Children and Adolescents with cleft lip?
We can help you!
What is cleft?
Cleft is a common medical condition that can affect the lip, palate or both, which if left untreated, can lead to difficulties in breathing, eating, speaking and hearing. However, specialized comprehensive treatment significantly improves the quality of life of those with the condition.
Worldwide, it is estimated that a baby is born with a cleft every three minutes. In Mexico, approximately 1 in every 750 births presents this condition, totaling 3,500 babies annually. In Baja California Sur around 16 newborns are born with cleft each year.
It is essential to understand that cleft is a medical condition, it is not a disease, nor is it a disability.
Remember, cleft lip and/or cleft palate is a medical condition, not a disease, not a disability.
Baja California Sur Cleft Program
Since 2022, thanks to a collaborative effort between Smile Train, Los Cabos Children’s Foundation, the Health Ministry of Baja California Sur, Terapia Comunicabo, and the Querencia Foundation, a state program was established to provide comprehensive, high-quality, and permanent care to children and adolescents with cleft lip and/or palate.
Four years into this collaboration, they have performed 122 surgeries, conducted 123 evaluations and specialized services to 130 children and adolescents in Baja California Sur. We will continue providing comprehensive, lifelong care for individuals with cleft lip and/or palate in Baja California Sur.
Free services offered by the program:
137
PEDIATRICS
Initial assessment at birth, makes diagnosis, and referral to specialists.
123
SURGERY
Cleft repair surgeries performed in public and private hospitals.
648
DENTAL
We offer comprehensive care that includes preventive treatments (dental cleanings, fluoride applications, and pit and fissure sealants) to protect oral health. Additionally, we provide advanced restorative treatments (composite resins, stainless steel crowns, pulpotomies, and pulpectomies, among others) to restore function and aesthetics to our patients' smiles.
793
ORTHODONTICS AND MAXILLARY ORTHOPEDICS
Pre-surgical treatments (NAMS plates) allowing breastfeeding and feeding of patients, appliances to guide skeletal growth and orthodontics (braces) for the correction of incorrectly positioned teeth and bones.
220
ENT AND AUDIOLOGY
Consultations to treat pathologies of the ear, nose and throat. Studies and surgeries to improve hearing.
337
PATIENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT
Assistance for patients in vulnerable situations with travel and accommodation expenses, food supplements, medications, clinical analyses, specialized studies, genetic assessment, among others
9438
SPEECH THERAPY
We focus on rehabilitating oral functions to optimize nutritional evaluation and dietary guidance, ensuring that patients can eat and communicate efficiently.
132
NUTRITION
Nutritional evaluation and dietary guidance.
453
PSYCHOLOGY
Psychological and psychosocial support for patients and families.
Join to our program
we are here to offer our support. Complete our form and together we will
explore the options available for your well-being.
Partner
Smile Train is an international organization that has been operating in Mexico since 2001, standing as the sole entity dedicated to addressing cleft conditions with a sustainable approach. Through a unique model, Smile Train provides training, financial aid, and essential resources to local medical practitioners, empowering them to conduct safe and cost-free surgeries, along with comprehensive care, within their own communities. Over the years, Smile Train has forged partnerships with over 70 organizations, extending its reach to approximately 140 hospitals and treatment centers across Mexico since 2002. Supported by a network of over 250 dedicated professionals, Smile Train has facilitated more than 22,000 comprehensive treatments across nearly 30 states across Mexico.
The cleft program at Salvatierra Hospital, in the city of La Paz, is dedicated to provide comprehensive care to Children and Adolescents with this medical condition. A team of specialists work at Salvatierra’s facilities, as well as at other medical institutions regardless of the patients’ social security affiliation or status (IMSS, ISSSTE, etc.).
Terapia Comunicabo is dedicated to enriching the lives of Children and Adolescents with cleft in Baja California Sur. Its focus is in improving their ability to communicate verbally through specialized speech and language therapy services. Additionally, it provides emotional support and educational guidance to parents of infants born with cleft through its early stimulation program.
Los Cabos Children’s Foundation promotes, strengthens and advances programs that focus on the health and well-being of children in Baja California Sur. Since 2002, it has facilitated access to specialized medical services for Children and Adolescents providing financial support and strategic monitoring and follow up to other Nonprofits and Government Institutions for the operation of their own programs.
The Querencia Foundation is a non-profit that channels its residential community’s resources to meet urgent local needs. Through strategic partnerships, the foundation prioritizes cleft lip and palate care, funding free surgeries and comprehensive therapies for underserved children, while also driving key initiatives in broader children’s health and educational development.
Directory
Medical Specialities
Fátima Thalia Villanueva Sandoval
Anestesiología pediátrica (Cédula: 13652459)
María Elena Flores Molina
Audiología / Foniatría (Cédula: 7930849)
Diana Florencia Zeceña Uribe
Cirugía plástica (Cédula: 13714830)
Jorge Ricardo Pérez Mejía
Pediatría (Cédula: 11633896)
Miguel Ángel Aguirre Vilchis
Pediatría
Luis Enrique Aguilar Elenes
Enfermería (Cédula: 11647095)
Elsa María Ivón Pérez Flores
Médico Especialista en Rehabilitación Pediátrica
Noraima Leticia Rodríguez Guevara
Otorrinolaringología (Cédula: 12285648)
Guadalupe Hernandez Nuñez
Otorrinolaringología (Cédula: 13323892)
Edgar Arturo Sanchez Diaz
Otorrinolaringología (Cédula: 15027004)
Dental
Daniela Arriaga García
Odontología general (Cédula: 11322539)
Rodrigo Eduardo Martinez Menchaca
Odontología general (Cédula: 9775670)
Eduardo Edmundo de la Vega Suffo
Odontopediatra (Cédula: 11671758)
Sandra Fastlicht Barabak
Ortodoncia (Cédula: 1643613)
Lecit Ramírez Aldrete
Odontopediatra (Cédula: 3626086)
Victor Manuel Diaz Alvarez
Odontopediatra
Katherine Reyes Cota
Odontopediatra (Cédula: 1643613)
Sebastian Larralde Guerrerro
Cirujano Maxilofacial
Psychology
Sandra Marlene Ureña Guzmán
Psicología (Cédula: EN PROCESO)
Carla Cristina Jimenez Ortiz
Psicología (Cédula: 13187719)
Karla Cristina Gudiño Vargas
Psicología (Cédula: 3742)
Mayra Yesenia Garcia Peña
Psicología (Cédula: 9045947)
Language Therapy
Jessica Romero Cuevas
Terapia de lenguaje (Cédula: 7505675)
Juana Gabriela Limón Gámez
Terapia de lenguaje (Cédula: 13538135)
Alejandra Yañez Mercado
Terapia de lenguaje (Cédula: 02181)
Gladys Guzman Melo
Terapia de lenguaje (Cédula: 3241)
Niza Guadalupe Sanchez Ramirez
Terapia de lenguaje (Cédula: 3241)
Nutrition
Amador Ortega Hernandez
Pediatra Gastroenterología y Nutrición (Cédula: 13395806)
Luis Jorge Rojas Concha
Pediatra Gastroenterología y Nutrición (Cédula: 13521912)
Arumi Gallo Guzmán
Nutrición (Cédula: 9592274)
Rocío Cristina Garcia Gonzalez
Nutrición (Cédula: 10130582)
Marisol Romero Pérez
Nutrición (Cédula: Estatal 05714)
Contact
All rights reserved © 2026 – Cleft lip and Cleft Program of Baja California Sur | Privacy Policy