During my life I was assigned several missions: dentist, professor, researcher, manager; all of them were pleasant and full of challenges, with the bonus of knowing and living together with special people. I am proud to be invited to present this book to the world of Dentistry. The experience at the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies (HRAC-USP) gave me the opportunity to follow the career of several professionals, from undergraduate training up to the highest levels of research and university life. Few feelings are more thorough than following the personal and professional growth of people we respect; and the better reward for a professor is to see the shine of enthusiasm and curiosity in the eyes of young professionals, thirsty for knowledge; for a manager, to follow the vibration with which the team conducts its work. I have learned more than I have taught. At HRAC-USP, the daily routine was always filled with technical and human challenges. The daily care for individuals with different disabilities provides professionals with a rich source of research inspiration, besides demands yet to be explored. It is enough to be willing. The editors Gisele da Silva Dalben, Marcia Ribeiro Gomide and the contributor Beatriz Costa are examples of this thirst for knowledge and clinical sensitivity. They are three great researchers who were shaped at the Pediatric Dentistry clinic of HRAC/USP, where they sharpened and deepened their skills on the needs of patients requiring differentiated attention and treatment, respecting their exceptional birth conditions. Part of the long years of study, investigation and practice of these three brilliant researchers is present in this book, which surely enriches the dental management of patients with craniofacial anomalies. The book gathers experiences, knowledge and tips that the contributors kindly offer to anyone interested in this field. A part of their lives, all of them built inside Pediatric Dentistry. The years have been generous for me, giving me the opportunity to publicly celebrate the scientific maturity of three great pediatric dentists – and friends: Gisele, Marcia and Beatriz. And I say with certainty that another important chapter of Dentistry was written.
FOREWORD 2
Writing the foreword to this book “Craniofacial disorders – orofacial features and peculiarities in dental treatment” has been a reason of great joy and pride, since this is one more contribution of the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies of University of São Paulo, gently known as “Centrinho”, to the specialized literature.
Both editors are dental professionals graduated by FOB-USP with Master and PhD degrees and are extremely dedicated professionals who, together, add up more than 50 years of contribution to clinical activities, rehabilitating and providing smiles to individuals with craniofacial anomalies, besides actively working in the Teaching and Research scopes of the institution, valuing the scientific production.
The book is composed of nine chapters that bring valuable information for dentists and health professionals caring for individuals with syndromes associated with craniofacial anomalies. The book presents an update approach about Craniofacial Embryology, Concepts of Genetics, Teratogenesis, Dental Management in Rare Facial Clefts, as well as the alterations accompanying the diverse Syndromes with Orofacial Clefts, Craniosynostosis Syndromes, First Pharyngeal Arch Disorders, Syndromes with Characteristic Facies, and an approach about the Surgical Treatment in Craniofacial Malformations: Distraction Osteogenesis.
Further, the HRAC-USP has a strong team working on Genetics associated with craniofacial anomalies, coordinated by the medical geneticist Dr Antonio Richieri Costa, and during 50 years of work the institution concentrates a databank that is a scientific treasure. During her PhD, Dr Gisele da Silva Dalben worked with Dr Richieri Costa, analyzing individuals with Opitz G/BBB syndrome, and has several publications in the subject of craniofacial syndromes.
Since HRAC/USP is a reference center in craniofacial anomalies with participation of an interdisciplinary team, it was possible to prepare this book especially focusing the interest of dental professionals.
I consider this book a precious masterpiece, which shall fill the gap currently existing in the literature, concentrating in a single work the information on dental, skeletal and craniofacial alterations in individuals with different craniofacial disorders.
Dr. Terumi Okada Ozawa
Orthodontist and former Director of Dental Division of HRAC/USP,
Brazil
