Orofacial dysfunction in cleft lip and palate patients using the nordic orofacial test-screening

•The study analyzed orofacial dysfunction in 104 patients with cleft lip and palate, showing an equal gender distribution and a wide age range (5–30 years), highlighting the broad demographic impact of these conditions.•Comparative analysis using the Nordic Orofacial Test-Screening (NOT-S) revealed no significant differences in orofacial dysfunction severity between unilateral and bilateral cleft patients, indicating similar orofacial challenges across these groups.•Specific issues with chewing and swallowing were the most common across all patients, while distinct patterns in facial rest position and expression difficulties were observed between unilateral and bilateral cases, emphasizing the nuanced impact of cleft type on orofacial function. The Nordic Orofacial Test-Screening (NOT-S) protocol serves as a widely recognized tool for assessing orofacial dysfunction comprehensively. This study aimed to compare orofacial dysfunction between unilateral (UCLP) and bilateral (BCLP) cleft lip and palate patients using the NOT-S. This descriptive cross-sectional study enrolled 104 patients, comprising 72 with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and 32 with bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) referred to the cleft lip and palate clinic of Mashhad Dental School. Orofacial dysfunction was assessed using the Nordic Orofacial Test-Screening (NOT-S), which includes a structured interview and clinical examinations encompassing 6 domains each. Statistical analysis utilized Mann–Whitney, Fisher's exact, and Chi-square tests, with significance set at P < 0.05. No significant differences were found in structured interview (P = 0.45), clinical examination (P = 0.45), or total NOT-S score (P = 0.11) between the two types of cleft lip and palate. Based on NOT-S assessment, patients with unilateral (UCLP) and bilateral (BCLP) cleft lip and palate exhibited comparable orofacial dysfunctions. In the structured interview, the most prevalent issues were identified in the domain of chewing and swallowing for both cleft types. In clinical examination, unilateral cleft lip and palate patients commonly experienced facial problems at rest, while bilateral cleft lip and palate patients frequently encountered challenges with speaking. However, these differences were not statistically significant.