International confederation for cleft lip and palate and related craniofacial anomalies task force report: Holistic outcomes

Objective: This paper describes the process and outcomes of the 2013 American Cleft Palate- Craniofacial Association task force on Holistic Outcomes. The goals and membership of the task force are presented.

Methods: Using internet communication, the group introduced themselves, shared ideas and information related to holistic assessment and implementation of using a validated holistic measure, the Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP) at participating international sites.

Results: Data from the sites were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Administration of the COHIP was successful. It varied from self-completion as well as verbal presentation due to language differences and a function of the short time period to complete collection. Additionally qualitative comments were reported by the task force site directors.

Conclusions: Future directions for holistic assessment and communication among task force members and sites were discussed at the Congress and are presented in this report.