Every year, hundreds of families welcome babies into the world with craniofacial differences — conditions that can affect the way a child’s face, skull, or jaw develops. For parents, the news can be overwhelming, bringing questions, fears, and countless medical appointments. But in Northern New England, there is a place offering hope, healing, and a fresh start: Face of a Child, a specialized craniofacial program based in Lebanon, New Hampshire.
This isn’t just another medical center. It’s the only full-service craniofacial clinic in the region, designed to bring every specialist and service a family might need under one roof. For parents already juggling the challenges of raising a child with complex needs, this approach eliminates the stress of traveling to multiple hospitals or coordinating with disconnected doctors.
A Truly Integrated Approach to Care
One of the biggest frustrations families face is navigating the maze of specialists — surgeons, orthodontists, speech therapists, geneticists — who often work in isolation. Face of a Child solves this by flipping the traditional model on its head.
Video: Explaining Cleft Lip and Palate
Twice a month, on the second and fourth Tuesdays, the entire care team meets in person to discuss each child’s case. These meetings aren’t just about reviewing charts; they’re about crafting personalized plans that consider every aspect of the child’s health, development, and emotional well-being. The result is a unified approach, where every professional works toward the same goal: helping each child thrive.
This coordinated care doesn’t just treat medical conditions. It ensures that every child has the opportunity to smile, speak clearly, and grow up with confidence.
Beyond Medicine: Supporting the Whole Child
Face of a Child treats a wide range of conditions, from cleft lip and palate to more complex diagnoses like craniosynostosis, microtia, and rare genetic syndromes. While the surgeries and therapies are critical, the program goes further by addressing the emotional and social impacts these conditions can bring.
The clinic understands that healing isn’t just physical — it’s emotional, too. That’s why social workers, counselors, and support specialists are part of the team, helping families navigate the emotional journey alongside the medical one.
Video: Nasoalveolar Molding (NAM) for Cleft Lip and Palate
One key figure in this process is the Craniofacial Coordinator, a guide who helps families every step of the way. From keeping track of appointments to connecting parents with local resources and support networks, the coordinator ensures no family feels lost in the system. For parents balancing work, care, and emotional stress, this kind of guidance can make a world of difference.
Making World-Class Care Accessible
Although based in a quiet corner of New Hampshire, Face of a Child serves families from across Northern New England. Each year, over 350 children visit the clinic, with nearly 600 appointments in total. For many, it’s the only place within reach where they can find truly comprehensive, compassionate care.
What sets this program apart isn’t just the advanced medical treatment — it’s the human touch. Doctors, nurses, and specialists don’t just analyze test results; they sit with parents, listen to their concerns, and include them as partners in every decision.
Building Bonds That Last a Lifetime
Treatment for craniofacial differences often spans years, beginning in infancy and continuing through adolescence. Face of a Child builds lasting relationships, following children and their families through every milestone. Babies who arrive in their first weeks of life often return as teens, with the same team cheering them on as they grow.
Parents aren’t just observers in this process. Their voices and instincts are central to the team’s approach, creating a foundation of trust that helps families feel supported — not just as patients, but as people.
More Than a Clinic, It’s a Community
At its heart, Face of a Child is more than a medical program. It’s a lifeline for families navigating the uncertainty of a child’s diagnosis. It’s a place where healing is holistic, where compassion matches expertise, and where every child is treated not as a case, but as a whole person.
In a healthcare world that can sometimes feel cold and impersonal, this program stands out. Here, families find not only answers but also understanding, encouragement, and a team dedicated to helping every child build a brighter future.
