Dean’s Story: A Family Finds Trust, Comfort and Compassion Through Their Son’s Craniofacial Journey

Shriners Children’s Boston is highlighting our craniofacial care during July as part of National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month.

When Joe and Clay learned their son, Dean, would be born with a bilateral cleft lip and a cleft palate, the couple placed their trust in Shriners Children’s Boston, confident in a medical team known for its compassionate and world‑class care.

The cleft and craniofacial program at Shriners Children’s Boston is verified by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. It sets patients up for success by surrounding them with a strong support system, not only for the medical journey but also for their family’s emotional path ahead. “Being patient and trusting in others was a huge piece of our ongoing journey with Shriners Children’s,” Joe said. “It was so scary giving up control at some points, but it was proven to us that the community at Shriners Children’s continues to give just as much love, compassion, and care to Dean as we would.”

Dean is a patient at the Cleft and Craniofacial Center, a collaboration between Shriners Children’s Boston and Mass General Brigham for Children. An interdisciplinary team of plastic and oral and maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontists, speech therapists, dietitians and other clinical specialists participates in a child’s plan of care, tailored to their individual needs and development.

At the start of his craniofacial journey, Dean received a Nasoalveolar Molding (NAM) device. This is a pre‑surgical orthodontic appliance that gently shapes an infant’s lip, gums and nose to help achieve the best possible results during lip and nasal repair surgery. “We visited Shriners Children’s Boston weekly to adjust the NAM device, and these appointments happened over the course of 3 months,” Clay said.

Tania Jhamb, DDS, a consulting orthodontist for the Shriners Children’s Boston cleft and craniofacial team, fabricated the NAM device for Dean to bring the cleft segments close to one another for the plastic surgeon to perform the lip repair. Dr. Jhamb explained, “Dean had a bilateral cleft, meaning the central segment was severely rotated and skewed to one side. With this device, I was able to correct its position.”

In Dean’s case, he was also fitted for nasal elevators, which were placed into the NAM device. “This helps create a better nose shape before the lip closure surgery,” said Dr. Jhamb. “Nasal elevators help reduce the need for corrective surgeries on the nose in the future.”

A few months after the NAM modeling device was used, Dean underwent his bilateral cleft lip repair. At monthly follow-up visits, Dean was seen by the surgical, nutrition, and occupational therapy teams to assess his progress. Dean’s next appointment will be a pre-op visit for his cleft palate repair.

Clay and Joe are grateful for the staff who have guided them through their son’s craniofacial treatment. “Everyone at the hospital made it their goal not only to give Dean top-notch care but also to give us peace of mind throughout every appointment, procedure, and eventual surgery,” said Joe.

Both Joe and Clay are extremely grateful for their son’s plastic surgeon, Kavitha L. Ranganathan, M.D., who serves as co-director of the cleft and craniofacial team and performed Dean’s lip repair in December. “Families coming into our hospital for cleft lip and palate treatment should know they have a new extended family at Shriners Children’s Boston. The love and care your child receives permeates throughout our hospital,” said Dr. Ranganathan, whose genuine warmth and compassion shine through in every interaction she has with patients and their loved ones.

Every visit to Shriners Children’s Boston has provided a safe space for their son, where Dean’s well-being is always the top priority. “It is reassuring to see folks, not even involved in Dean’s care team, going out of their way to see him and genuinely appreciate the milestones Dean has accomplished,” said Clay, who went on to share that connecting with the familiar faces during each appointment at Shriners Children’s Boston makes all the difference.

Now 1, Dean is an active toddler with lots of curiosity who enjoys talking and exploring. “He will chat with you about just about everything. Dean loves cuddling with just about everyone he meets, especially his grandparents,” said Joe, who also mentioned that Dean loves listening to music with his dads and trying new foods while at daycare.

Both parents encourage families just beginning their craniofacial journey to embrace the experience with openness and courage. “It can be scary thinking about all of the unknowns, especially as first-time parents,” Clay said. “Enjoy every moment with your child’s first smile; you will miss it dearly, but you will love the second one they get.”